Wards Foundation
Working to advance rate disease support to improve the lives of people affected by rare diseases.
Wards Foundation at a glance
In short: Wards Foundation gave $224K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $224K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $224,122
- +293.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $224,122
- +293.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $224,122
- Total assets
- $1,429,181
- +35.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Wards Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Atrium Health Foundation ($224K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $57K (2024) to $224K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $224K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Atrium Health Foundation Charlotte, NC | Health Assistance Grant | $224,122 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,429,181 | $954,879 | $578,159 | $224,122 | 1 | $52,498 |
| 2024 | $1,051,600 | $420,067 | $121,133 | $56,901 | 1 | $27,131 |
| 2023 | $834,045 | $521,306 | $225,810 | $152,894 | 1 | $29,366 |
| 2022 | $550,890 | $422,134 | $41,612 | — | — | $9 |
| 2021 | $176,575 | $120,986 | $45,321 | — | — | — |
About Wards Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Wards Foundation is a public charity focused on Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines, based in Charlotte, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $224K. Net investment income was $52K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Wards Foundation is led by Caroline Winslett, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 11 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caroline Winslett
Executive Director
Co-Founder → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$52K (2025)
Trey Winslett
Chairman
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Moran Lanier MD
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mallory Kridler
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Grenier
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joey Norman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Blickley
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Huff
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Sims
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Lake Davidson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Will McGuire
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Amy Moore (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Andrea Harknett (2021–2024) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Henry E. Winslett III (2021–2024) — Co-Founder
- Former: Jonation Dixon (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Lee Pedersen (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: William McGuire (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Matthew Moore (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Pontea Dixon (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $52K, to Caroline Winslett (Executive Dir.).
Frequently asked questions about Wards Foundation
How much does Wards Foundation give each year?
Wards Foundation gave $224K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $57K across 1 grant.
How large is Wards Foundation?
Wards Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $955K.
What is Wards Foundation?
Wards Foundation is a public charity focused on Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines, based in Charlotte, NC. It holds $1.4M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Wards Foundation operate?
Wards Foundation has awarded grants in North Carolina.
What is Wards Foundation's EIN?
Wards Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1600365. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Figures come from Wards Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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