The Wise Family Foundation
The Wise Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Escondido, California. Its 2023 filing reports grants to organizations addressing education, literacy, arts, food needs, women’s services, animal welfare, and other causes.
The Wise Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wise Family Foundation gave $63K across 13 grants in 2023 (avg $5K), top state California. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $62,697
- +1293.3% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 13
- +225.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $4,823
- +328.7% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Primary geography
- California (36% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Wise Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2022 filing stated that the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It listed no application form or materials and described award restrictions as a broad spectrum of educational activities. This information is from a filing marked as the foundation’s final return.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Susan Wise
Mailing address: 1986 Sorrentino Dr, Escodido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 740-0696
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wise Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Gods World Preschool ($10K). Together the top 10 received $60K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2023 grant dollars went to recipients in California (36%), Arizona (32%), New York (8%), Washington, DC (8%), and Tennessee (8%). The listed grants also include a recipient in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wise Family Foundation gives
- 0% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2021) to $63K (2023). In 2023 it made 13 grants totaling $63K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gods World Preschool Prescott Valley, AZ | reading / teaching materials for preschool children | $10,000 |
| Hope Womens Center Phoenix, AZ | Help Women Escape Homelessness. | $10,000 |
| Moonlight Cultural Foundation Vista, CA | Fund Study Groups for Young Actors | $5,000 |
| ASPCA New York, NY | Promote Safe Tratment of Domestic Pets. | $5,000 |
| San Iego Food Bank San Diego, CA | End Hunger in San Diego | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Washington DC, DC | Educate Women on Pregnacy Prevention | $5,000 |
| Dolly Partons Imagination Library Pidgeon Forge, TN | Book Purchase for Children | $5,000 |
| San Diego Council on Litercy San Diego, CA | Books for Children | $5,000 |
| Computers 2KIDS San Diego, CA | improve childrens computer literacy | $5,000 |
| Courage Inc Appleton, WI | encouage outdoor enjoyment for disabled vets | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $-4,980 | $64,289 | $62,697 | 13 | $64,289 | — | $452 |
| 2022 | $69,269 | $3,056 | $4,915 | $4,500 | 4 | $4,915 | $2,312 | $3,371 |
| 2021 | $71,128 | $2,464 | $4,253 | $4,000 | 3 | — | $3,229 | $3,617 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wise Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $452 for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its listed 2023 grants show support for a range of organizations and activities. For example, HOPE WOMEN’S CENTER describes its work as providing life-skills and faith-based education, mentoring, material assistance, and other support to vulnerable women, teen girls, and their families. Moonlight Cultural Foundation describes its mission as engaging the community through arts experiences and supporting Moonlight Stage Productions and Moonlight Youth Theatre’s arts education programs.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation gave $62,697 through 13 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable grants included $10,000 to Gods World Preschool for reading and teaching materials for preschool children, and $10,000 to HOPE WOMEN’S CENTER for helping women escape homelessness. Moonlight Cultural Foundation received $5,000 for study groups for young actors; other $5,000 grants included support for the ASPCA, San Diego Food Bank, Planned Parenthood, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, San Diego Council on Literacy, and Computers 2Kids.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Jeffrey L Wise as CEO and Susan K Wise as Secretary. Directors listed are Mari Mahan, Michael Mahan, Lynette Cross, Cathi Adams, Richard Szabo, and Susan Szabo.
The Wise Family Foundation is led by Jeffrey L Wise, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2021); none of the 8 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Jeffrey L Wise
CEO
CFO → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathi Adams
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynette Cross
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mari Mahan
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Mahan
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Szabo
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Szabo
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan K Wise
Secretary
CEO → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Irene Szabo (2021) — Director
- Former: John Szabo (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Wise Family Foundation
How much does The Wise Family Foundation give each year?
The Wise Family Foundation gave $63K across 13 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $5K across 4 grants.
What is The Wise Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wise Family Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,823, across 13 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wise Family Foundation give grants?
The Wise Family Foundation's top state is California, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arizona (32%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (3 grants).
Does The Wise Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Wise Family Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Wise Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wise Family Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Gods World Preschool ($10,000), Hope Womens Center ($10,000) and Moonlight Cultural Foundation ($5,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does The Wise Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its listed 2023 grants show support for a range of organizations and activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wise Family Foundation?
The 2022 filing stated that the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Wise Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Wise Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $452 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Wise Family Foundation's EIN?
The Wise Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0885070. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
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