Wheeler Foundation
Wheeler Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Salt Lake City, Utah, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since May 1994 and operates as an independent philanthropic organization focused on distributing grants to nonprofit organizations across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$80.7M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
-11.7% YoY
Grant Count
1
-99.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4.3M
+8645.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wheeler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on grant distribution patterns, Wheeler Foundation supports organizations working in the following areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Arts and Creative Writing
- Historic Preservation
- Journalism
- Higher Education
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications from new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Grant Range
$46,500 to $210 (depending on calculation methodology)
Average Grant
$46,500 to $210 (depending on calculation methodology)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wheeler Foundation supports organizations across numerous states and cities throughout the United States, including:
- Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and additional states
- Major urban centers including New York, Philadelphia, and Dallas
- Smaller communities including Bozeman and Waynesville
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $79.4 million to $102 million
- Total Revenue: $3.6 million to $4.8 million
- Total Expenses: $5.5 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $2,035,439
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $1,635,928
Historical Growth: Over the past four years, the organization has increased revenue by an average of 1.9% annually, demonstrating relatively stable financial performance.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $80,701,360 | $79,425,595 | $81,082,373 |
| Revenue | $6,157,619 | $3,634,557 | $4,781,429 |
| Expenses | $5,112,556 | $5,499,680 | $5,521,686 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,527,885 | $5,025,526 | $5,034,228 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,608,832 | $3,054,843 | $4,371,405 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,322,178 | $4,630,388 | $4,616,888 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include See Attached ($4,303,750).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED WINSTON SALEM, NC | SEE ATTACHED | $4,303,750 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team consists of five directors, each serving with minimal compensated hours (3 hours per week at $7,500 annually):
- Rebecca Davis - President/Director
- Connie Wheeler - Secretary/Director
- Susan Holt - Vice President/Director
- Alison W. Jensen - Vice President/Director
- Mary Katherine Younker - Treasurer/Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN HOLT | V.P./DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| ALISON W JENSEN | V.P./DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| REBECCA DAVIS | PRES. / DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| Mary Katherine Younker | TREAS. / DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| CONNIE WHEELER | SEC. / DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Wheeler Foundation has supported various initiatives across the country, with grants distributed to organizations addressing disaster relief, international humanitarian work, higher education, and special education programs. The foundation maintains active grantmaking operations and continues to accept applications from eligible nonprofit organizations.
Wheeler Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship - BigFutureFrequently Asked Questions
What does Wheeler Foundation fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on grant distribution patterns, Wheeler Foundation supports organizations working in the following areas: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Arts and Creative Writing • Historic Preservation • Journalism • Higher Education
How do I apply for a grant from Wheeler Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $4.3 million to $4.9 million • Number of grants awarded: Approximately 99-105 grants annually • Average grant size: $46,500 to $210 (depending on calculation methodology) • Median grant size: $25,000 to $30,000 • Grant range: $500 to $402,500 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • University of Utah: $402,500 (General Operating) • American National Red Cross: $260,000 (General Operating/Disaster Cycle) • International Rescue Committee: $250,000 (General …
Where does Wheeler Foundation make grants?
Wheeler Foundation supports organizations across numerous states and cities throughout the United States, including: • Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and additional states • Major urban centers including New York, Philadelphia, and Dallas • Smaller communities including Bozeman and Waynesville
What size grants does Wheeler Foundation award?
In 2024, Wheeler Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $4.3M — an average of about $4.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wheeler Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wheeler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wheeler Foundation's EIN?
Wheeler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0503163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wheeler Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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