Whalesback Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Brooklyn, NY EIN: 31-1478498

Whalesback Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Brooklyn, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $396K. Net investment income was $203K.

Key facts about Whalesback Foundation

EIN: 31-1478498
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $395,548
Grants made (2024): 3
Average grant: $131,849
Median grant: $85,000
Total assets: $4,332,660
Primary geography: Florida (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

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

Who Whalesback Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Whalesback Foundation's 3 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (87%) and Massachusetts (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Orlando, FL (2 grants). 67% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How Whalesback Foundation gives

Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 76% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

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

Next steps with Whalesback Foundation

How to evaluate Whalesback Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.3M

-0.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$396K

-3.3% YoY

Grant Count

-62.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$132K

+157.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Whalesback Foundation reported a distributable amount of $522K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Whalesback Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Florida $346K (87%)

Massachusetts $50K (13%)

Share of all 3 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California District of Columbia Florida Massachusetts Montana North Dakota New Jersey New York Texas Virginia

Cities

New YorkBrooklynWashingtonVineyard HavenFalmouthOrlandoArlingtonBronxStanfordDeerfieldMedoraMyakka CityPrincetonBostonBrooklyn HeightsHelenaLos AngelesMissoulaRlingtonVirginia Beach

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$4,332,660	$4,362,326	$4,414,297
Revenue	$214,572	$369,265	$394,457
Expenses	$244,238	$431,502	$451,555
Qualifying Distributions	$397,965	$409,000	$438,500
Net Investment Income	$202,507	$361,240	$387,533
Distributable Amount	$522,376	$401,024	$415,335

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 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 2 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

69 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Schwab Charitable Donor Advised Fund ($345,548 across 2 grants), Woodwell Climate Research Center ($50,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
SCHWAB CHARITABLE DONOR ADVISED FUND Orlando, FL	DONATED 437 SHS OF SPDR S&P STOCK WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $89,303	$260,548
SCHWAB CHARITABLE DONOR ADVISED FUND Orlando, FL	GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES	$85,000
WOODWELL CLIMATE RESEARCH CENTER Falmouth, MA	GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES	$50,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Theodore Roosevelt IV	Pres./Sect./Treas./Trustee	—	—
Constance Roosevelt	Trustee	—	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Whalesback Foundation?

Whalesback Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Brooklyn, NY. It holds $4.3M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Whalesback Foundation?

As of 2024, Whalesback Foundation holds $4.3M in total assets with $215K in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $396K in 2024.

Where does Whalesback Foundation operate?

Whalesback Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, Montana, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia.

What size grants does Whalesback Foundation award?

In 2024, Whalesback Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $396K — an average of about $132K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Whalesback Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Whalesback Foundation reported a distributable amount of $522K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.