Wheeler Foundation
The Wheeler Foundation is a private foundation based in Vancouver, Washington, established in 1966. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across multiple states in the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.4M
-0.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$934K
+14.9% YoY
Grant Count
74
+19.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-3.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wheeler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $868K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is giving to cultural institutions. Its grantmaking supports a broad spectrum of charitable organizations across multiple focus areas including education, philanthropy, voluntarism, and human services.
Grantmaking
The Wheeler Foundation is an active grantmaker with recent grant activity. In fiscal year 2024, the foundation made 76 grants totaling $934,283 in giving.
Grant Range
$12,000
Average Grant
amount: approximately $12,300
Ready to take the next step with Wheeler Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides funding across multiple U.S. states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Key cities funded include Portland, Chicago, and Boston.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,437,827
- Total Revenue: $950,236
- Total Expenses: $1,060,104
- Investment Income and Dividends: $439,223
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $511,013
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $12.5 million
- Total Revenue: $707,101
- Total Expenses: $926,447
The foundation ranks in the top 10% of foundations by asset size (#9,077 of 159,619 foundations nationally).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,437,827 | $12,549,774 | $12,785,641 |
| Revenue | $950,236 | $707,101 | $314,631 |
| Expenses | $1,060,104 | $926,447 | $959,110 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $961,198 | $838,182 | $856,224 |
| Net Investment Income | $860,693 | $623,646 | $227,372 |
| Distributable Amount | $868,371 | $807,000 | $821,540 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fora Health Inc ($85,000), Oregon Historical Society ($35,000), Nature Conservancy Oregon ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LIFEWORKS NORTHWEST PORTLAND, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY OREGON PORTLAND, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| GROTTO PORTLAND, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| THE PEACEFUL PRESENCE PROJECT BEND, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| BRIAN GRANT FOUNDATION PORTLAND, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| CLARK COUNTY VETERANS ASSISTANCE CENTER VANCOUVER, WA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| SUNSHINE DIVISION PORTLAND, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| COLUMBIA INSIGHT HOOD RIVER, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| GLIDE REVITALIZATION GLIDE, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,283 |
| VALE FOOD PANTRY & RESOURCE CENTER VALE, OR | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by three directors who serve without compensation:
- John C. Wheeler
- Charles B. Wheeler
- Thomas K. Wheeler
The foundation operates with limited or no paid staffing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C WHEELER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHARLES B WHEELER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| THOMAS K WHEELER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 900 Washington Street, Suite 900, Vancouver, WA 98660-3455
Telephone: 360-693-7442
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wheeler Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is giving to cultural institutions. Its grantmaking supports a broad spectrum of charitable organizations across multiple focus areas including education, philanthropy, voluntarism, and human services.
How do I apply for a grant from Wheeler Foundation?
The Wheeler Foundation is an active grantmaker with recent grant activity. In fiscal year 2024, the foundation made 76 grants totaling $934,283 in giving. **Grant Characteristics:** • Median grant size: $12,000 • Grant range: $3,500 to $85,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $12,300 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Fora Health: $85,000 (Program Support) • Oregon Historical Society: $35,000 (Program Support) • Oregon Food Bank: $30,000 (Program Support) The foundation appears to be open…
Where does Wheeler Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides funding across multiple U.S. states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Key cities funded include Portland, Chicago, and Boston.
What size grants does Wheeler Foundation award?
In 2024, Wheeler Foundation awarded 74 grants totaling $934K — an average of about $13K 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 $868K 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 93-0553801. 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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Thurgood Marshall PTA
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$186K
Grants
1
Total Given
$224K
The Hare Bnb Rescue Spa and Boutique
LACEY, WA
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$400
Meadowdale Junior Football
EDMONDS, WA
Assets
$12K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Cmr Foundation
STANWOOD, WA
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$1.5M
Sequim Masonic Lodge Foundation
CARLSBORG, WA
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$30K
Foundation House at Northgate
GIG HARBOR, WA
Assets
$223K
Grants
16
Total Given
$159K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Wheeler Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Wheeler Foundation to a real strategy.