Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Tulsa, OK EIN: 47-1158317

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation is a private foundation, based in Tulsa, OK. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $264K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $175K. Net investment income was $92K.

Key facts about Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation

In short: Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation gave $175K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
47-1158317
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$175,000
Grants made (2024)
3
Average grant
$58,333
Median grant
$20,000
Total assets
$263,651
Primary geography
Missouri (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$264K

-16.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$175K

-46.2% YoY

Grant Count

3

+50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$58K

-64.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 106% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.

Cities

CreteTulsaLancasterChula VistaConwayRidgedale

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K$400K2 grants2020 2 grants2021 4 grants2022 2 grants2023 3 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2021) to $326K (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $175K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2024

Jesus Connecting Dots: $150KJesus Connecting Dots$150KSouth Tulsa Baptist Church: $20KSouth Tulsa Baptist Church$20KBarnabas Foundation: $5KBarnabas Foundation$5K

The largest 2024 recipient was Jesus Connecting Dots ($150K). Together the top 3 received $175K.

Grant Size Distribution

13 grants across all recorded years

7<$50K1$50–100K5$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 13 (54%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jesus Connecting Dots Ridgedale, MOChristian Mission$150,000
South Tulsa Baptist Church Tulsa, OKChristian Mission$20,000
Barnabas Foundation Crete, ILChristian Mission$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$200K$400K$600K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$263,651$314,077$214,615
Revenue$135,376$428,446$233,472
Expenses$185,802$328,984$155,967
Qualifying Distributions$175,000$325,500$152,500
Net Investment Income$92,362$330,570$102,898
Distributable Amount$10,544—$7,262

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 13, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Sara E. Whitwell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas D. Whitwell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation

How much does Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation give each year?

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation gave $175K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $326K across 2 grants.

What is Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's typical grant size?

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $58,333, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation give grants?

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Oklahoma (11%).

Does Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Christian Mission" (3 grants).

How large is Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation?

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation reported $264K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $175K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's EIN?

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1158317. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Oklahoma

Noble Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

The foundation supports Christian education, religious organizations, and humanitarian work, with most 2024 funding going to California recipients and smaller grants reaching organizations in several other states. Its 10 grants ranged from $100 to $5,000, with a median of $1,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$195K

Grants

10

Total Given

$17K

M J Murdock Charitable Trust

Vancouver, WA

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building and projects in arts and culture, civic and community services, education, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its 2024 median grant was $87,000, with awards ranging from $4,000 to about $1.55 million. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry; full applications are by invitation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.0B

Grants

797

Total Given

$116.6M

City on a Hill Foundation

Ft Wayne, IN

The foundation’s 2025 grants supported civic purposes, including church and community initiatives, with awards ranging from $500 to $35,000 and a median of $9,264. Most funding went to Indiana, with additional grants in Idaho, Connecticut, Texas, Illinois, and elsewhere. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$761K

Grants

10

Total Given

$132K

Idonate Charitable Foundation

Southlake, TX

The foundation converts donated noncash assets into grants for nonprofits serving varied charitable purposes, with 2024 grants ranging from $7,707 to $80,194 and a median of $15,751. It gave across multiple states, with the largest shares going to Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Assets

$71K

Grants

15

Total Given

$347K

NGH Charitable Foundation

Newport Beach, CA

NGH Charitable Foundation supports preselected charities working in humanitarian relief, health, children’s services, housing, and religious and advocacy work, with most 2024 funding going to California and Washington. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$26.9M

Grants

51

Total Given

$1.5M

Vyuha Inc

Miami Beach, FL

Vyuha Inc. supports qualified public charities chosen by members of the Vohra employee and partner community, across areas including health, education, arts, environment, and international aid. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000, and went to organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It says it does not currently require an application form for consideration.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$14.5M

Grants

66

Total Given

$1.0M

Lowery Family Foundation

Tyler, TX

The Lowery Family Foundation supports charitable organizations addressing essential needs, safe water, housing, health, and hospice care, with its largest share of 2025 grants going to Texas and additional funding in several other states. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $37,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.5M

Grants

45

Total Given

$500K

Folds of Honor Foundation

Owasso, OK

Folds of Honor funds education scholarships for spouses and children of U.S. military service members and first responders killed or disabled in service, with awards available for K–12 and higher education in the United States and its territories. Awards are up to $5,000 per academic year, based on unmet need, and are paid directly to the school. It accepts scholarship applications through an online portal during its annual application window; it does not make grants to outside applicants.

Education

Assets

$122.3M

Grants

1,551

Total Given

$37.6M

Tulsa Community Foundation

Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

1,066

Total Given

$158.6M

Oklahoma City Community Foundation Inc

Oklahoma City, OK

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation funds community programs in children’s opportunities, health care, culture and community, older adults, parks and public space, and animal welfare, primarily in Oklahoma City and Central Oklahoma. In 2025, its grants had a median of $18,251; published ranges include up to $40,000 for Opportunities for Children and $30,000 for Culture & Community. Its website lists some programs as open, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

698

Total Given

$63.3M

Feed the Children Inc

Oklahoma City, OK

Founded in 1979, Feed the Children is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Operating in nearly every U.S. state and eight countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the organization provides food, household essentials, nutrition training, clean water programs, school supplies, and disaster relief. With a mission to create a world where no child goes to bed hungry, Feed the Children distributes resources through a network of local community partners, food banks, food pantries, and schools, while implementing sustainable programs focused on reducing hunger, malnutrition, health promotion, and self-reliance.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$133.3M

Grants

487

Total Given

$343.7M

The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

Tulsa, OK

The foundation supports nonprofits addressing poverty through housing, shelter, basic needs, social services, health and mental healthcare, and community empowerment, along with education, Jewish life, culture, and racial-justice initiatives. It funds primarily in metropolitan Tulsa, with additional support across Oklahoma and in Israel; 2024 grants ranged from $200 to $2.2 million, with a median of about $24,000. It accepts unsolicited requests: eligible nonprofits can email an initial inquiry.

Assets

$281.0M

Grants

476

Total Given

$37.3M

More Funders in Oklahoma

Thomas D and Sara Whitwell Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?