Whirlpool Foundation
Whirlpool Foundation is a private foundation based in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Established by Whirlpool Corporation founders Louis and Frederick Upton, it supports nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in communities where Whirlpool operates. Its community work follows Whirlpool’s House+Home strategy.
Whirlpool Foundation at a glance
In short: Whirlpool Foundation gave $10.1M across 141 grants in 2024 (avg $72K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,095,034
- +27.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 141
- +45.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $71,596
- -12.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $12,634,343
- -28.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (74% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Whirlpool Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing states that applicants should contact Whirlpool Foundation and submit a letter plus the prescribed application form. For grant or project requests, Whirlpool Foundation staff must approve the request before it is reviewed by the Foundation Trustees. The organization must provide impact data. The corporate giving guidelines require a 501(c)(3) certificate or letter and IRS good standing; organizations must be located in or within 20 miles of communities where Whirlpool operates. The guidelines exclude schools, churches, fire and police departments, sports teams, and individuals from donations, while noting that independent nonprofits supporting public school curriculum may be considered periodically. A separate scholarship program provides financial assistance to certain children of Whirlpool Corporation employees; it is not described as a grant program for outside applicants.
- Review Cycle
- Matching-gift deadlines are February 15 and August 15 each year.
- Deadline
- Matching-gift deadlines are February 15 and August 15 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Whirlpool Foundation
Mailing address: 2000 N M-63, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone: (269) 923-5000
Website: https://whirlpoolcorp.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Whirlpool Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cornerstone Alliance ($1.8M). Together the top 10 received $8.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 78 individual scholarships ($533,748), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
524 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 460 grants of 524 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to Michigan recipients (74%), followed by Georgia (13%), Ohio (8%), Tennessee (2%), and Oklahoma (1%). Its website says the foundation’s mission is to support communities where Whirlpool operates.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 141 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Whirlpool Foundation gives
- Giving grew 131% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.4M (2021) to $10.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 141 grants totaling $10.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Alliance Benton Harbor, MI | Econocmic Development Grant | $1,800,000 |
| United Way of Southwest Michigan St Joseph, MI | United Way | $1,632,314 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Americus, GA | Buildbetter with Whirlpool | $1,250,000 |
| Harbor Habitat for Humanity Benton Harbor, MI | Buildbetter with Whirlpool | $1,000,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest MI Benton Harbor, MI | Sponsorship | $925,000 |
| Cornerstone Public Asset Fund Benton Harbor, MI | Economic Development Grant | $575,824 |
| Whirlpool Collective Impact Fund Benton Harbor, MI | Whirlpool Charity | $475,000 |
| Berrien Community Foundation St Joseph, MI | Steve Upton Love Your Community Grant | $392,443 |
| Darke County United Way Greenville, OH | United Way | $236,894 |
| United Way of Sandusky County Fremont, OH | United Way | $221,379 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,634,343 | $6,746,778 | $7,789,011 | $10,095,034 | 141 | $10,140,106 | $743,653 | $720,012 |
| 2023 | $17,597,877 | $7,408,986 | $14,538,577 | $7,945,802 | 97 | $7,990,961 | $706,002 | $745,587 |
| 2022 | $19,400,388 | $9,735,585 | $9,765,350 | $7,451,948 | 76 | $7,490,754 | $135,585 | $696,233 |
| 2021 | $17,188,032 | $12,105,222 | $5,304,432 | $4,366,933 | 82 | $4,404,242 | $665 | $355,369 |
| 2020 | $9,582,343 | $20,000,000 | $7,503,745 | $10,238,923 | 128 | — | — | $172,404 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Whirlpool Foundation reported a distributable amount of $720K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to reinvest in and improve quality of life in the communities where Whirlpool operates. Its House+Home strategy includes housing and neighborhood development, education, and community support.
Its 2024 grants included support for housing, United Way organizations, community development, and youth programming. For example, United Way of Southwest Michigan describes its mission as sustaining a community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. Harbor Habitat for Humanity says it works to address inadequate housing in Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township by engaging the community and partnering with families. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 141 grants totaling $10,095,034. Grant amounts ranged from $75 to $1,800,000, with a median of $6,000. It reported 97 grants totaling $7,945,802 in 2023 and 76 grants totaling $7,451,948 in 2022.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $1,800,000 to Cornerstone Alliance for economic development, $1,632,314 to United Way of Southwest Michigan, $1,250,000 to Habitat for Humanity International for “BuildBetter with Whirlpool,” and $1,000,000 to Harbor Habitat for Humanity for “BuildBetter with Whirlpool.” Other notable grants included $925,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan for sponsorship and $392,443 to Berrien Community Foundation for the Steve Upton an individual recipient
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Deb O’Connor as managing director; Pamela Klyn as president and trustee; Carey Martin as vice president and trustee; Sheena Bailey as secretary; and Donald D’Anna as treasurer and trustee. It also lists Daniele Brown, Korey Thomas, and Christopher Conley as trustees. Michael Todman is listed as president through April 2024, and Jennifer Powers as treasurer through March 2024.
Whirlpool Foundation is led by Michael Todman, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Todman
President
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Klyn
President & Trustee
Trustee → President & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deb O'Connor
Managing Director
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carey Martin
Vice President & Trustee
Vice President & Trustee → Trustee, 2021
Trustee → Vice President & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniele Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald D'anna
Treasurer & Trustee
Trustee → Treasurer & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Conley
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Korey Thomas
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Powers
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheena Bailey
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Bridget Quinn (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Candice Garman (2020) — Manager
- Former: D. Jeffrey Noel (2020) — President
- Former: Deborah H. O'Connor (2020) — Trustee
- Former: James E. Keppler (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Whirlpool Foundation
How much does Whirlpool Foundation give each year?
Whirlpool Foundation gave $10.1M across 141 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.9M across 97 grants.
What is Whirlpool Foundation's typical grant size?
Whirlpool Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $71,596, across 141 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Whirlpool Foundation give grants?
Whirlpool Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Georgia (13%) and Ohio (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Benton Harbor, MI (12 grants), Greenville, OH (7 grants), St Joseph, MI (5 grants) and Fremont, OH (3 grants).
Does Whirlpool Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 141 grants with a stated purpose on Whirlpool Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sons & Daughters Scholarship" (80 grants), "Sponsorship" (19 grants) and "United Way" (12 grants).
Who are Whirlpool Foundation's largest grantees?
Whirlpool Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cornerstone Alliance ($1,800,000), United Way of Southwest Michigan ($1,632,314) and Habitat for Humanity International ($1,250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 78 individual scholarships ($533,748), which are not listed by name. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Whirlpool Foundation?
Whirlpool Foundation reported $12.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $720K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Whirlpool Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to reinvest in and improve quality of life in the communities where Whirlpool operates. Its House+Home strategy includes housing and neighborhood development, education, and community support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Whirlpool Foundation?
The foundation’s filing states that applicants should contact Whirlpool Foundation and submit a letter plus the prescribed application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Whirlpool Foundation's EIN?
Whirlpool Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6077342. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Whirlpool Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/whirlpool-foundation-morg_be5b2d206e234c6db20b1d7aaa07deea
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386077342_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Whirlpool Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/whirlpool-foundation-morg_be5b2d206e234c6db20b1d7aaa07deea},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Whirlpool 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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