Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation
The Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation is a private foundation established in 1998 and located in Clinton Township, Michigan. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since May 1999.
Key facts about Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation
- EIN
- 38-3390733
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,895,157
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- Average grant
- $111,290
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (11 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation's 35 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (94%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (9 grants), Southfield, MI (2 grants), Mt Clemens, MI (2 grants) and Traverse City, MI (2 grants). 74% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 35 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $79K; repeat grants $126K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation
- How to evaluate Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+4.3% YoY
Grant Count
35
+12.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$111K
-7.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, its grantmaking demonstrates support across multiple sectors including education, healthcare, arts and culture, and community development.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$25,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Detroit area and surrounding regions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 35 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $31.4 - $36 million
- Total revenues: $893,880
- Total expenses: $4,099,842
- Annual giving rate: 11.8% of assets
- Number of employees: 0 (foundation staff)
Historical Comparison (2022):
- Total assets: $34.6 million
- Total giving: $904,000
- Number of grants: 27
- Median grant: $20,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
151 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The Regents of the University of Michigan ($1,000,000), Gleaners Community Food Bank ($677,620), Beyond Basics ($592,300).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Regents of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Funds | $1,000,000 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank Detroit, MI | Food Distribution Center | $677,620 |
| BEYOND BASICS Southfield, MI | TUTORING | $592,300 |
| LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL Detroit, MI | FUNDS FOR TEACHER SALARIES AND BENEFITS BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS | $275,000 |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS Detroit, MI | GENERAL | $250,000 |
| NEW DAY FOUNDATION Mt Clemens, MI | GENERAL | $150,000 |
| Salvation Army Southfield, MI | General | $150,000 |
| Living Water Stafford, TX | General | $150,000 |
| Various Elementary Schools Detroit, MI | Coats, boots, hats, gloves, and socks | $59,722 |
| St Jude's Children's Research Hospital Memphis, TN | General | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cynthia Helisek — President/Director (40 hours/week, $135,000 compensation)
- David Larsen — Secretary/Treasurer (1 hour/week, $4,400 compensation)
- Demetrios Papageorgiou — Director (5 hours/week, no compensation listed)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Larsen | Secretary/Treasurer | 1 | $5,801 |
| Cynthia Helisek | President/Director | 40 | $135,000 |
| Demetrios Papageorgiou | Director | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant recent contributions to major Detroit institutions:
Awarded $2 million to a Detroit food bank
Detroit Institute of Arts celebrates new $5 million gift from Wayne and JoanDonated $1 million to Beyond Basics
Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation Donates $1M to Beyond Basics, and More -Presented a $5 million gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts in support of educational programs, bringing total support to the DIA to nearly $10 million since 2008
Detroit Institute of Arts celebrates new $5 million gift from Wayne and JoanSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, its grantmaking demonstrates support across multiple sectors including education, healthcare, arts and culture, and community development.
How do I apply for a grant from Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total distributions: $3.9 million • Number of grants: 30-32 • Median grant size: $25,000 • Grant range: $2,000 - $1,500,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Regents of the University of Michigan (Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Funds): $1,500,000 • Urban Renewal Initiative Foundation (Art Center and Gallery): $500,000 • The Detroit Institute of Arts (General): $250,000 **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates…
Where does Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Detroit area and surrounding regions.
What size grants does Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation award?
In 2024, Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation awarded 35 grants totaling $3.9M — an average of about $111K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation's EIN?
Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3390733. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.