Whirlpool Foundation
The Whirlpool Foundation is a company-sponsored private foundation incorporated in Michigan in 1951 and granted tax-exempt status in August 1953. Based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the foundation was established by Louis and Frederick Upton, founders of Whirlpool Corporation, with a commitment to reinvest in communities where Whirlpool operates. The foundation provides financial leadership support to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life in these communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$10.1M
+27.0% YoY
Grant Count
141
+45.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$72K
-12.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs designed to promote:
- Lifelong learning
- Quality family life
- Cultural diversity
- Partnerships and collaborations designed to address community issues
The foundation operates using a House+Home strategy with a focus on Inclusion and Diversity to create greater impact in communities.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$6,000
Review Cycle
February 15th and August 15th of each year
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Georgia (these three states account for 59% of all grants)
Grantmaking reaches organizations across 23 states, with particular emphasis on communities where Whirlpool operates.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $12.6 million
- Annual Revenue: $6.7 million
- Total Expenses: $7.8 million
- Total Liabilities: $10.7 million (as of 2023)
Historical Growth:
- Total assets grew from $316,000 in 2011 to $12.6 million in 2024
- Annual giving grew from $10.2 million in 2020 to $14.9 million in 2022
EIN: 38-6077342
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Deborah O'Connor – Managing Director
- Sarah Rodgers – Principal Officer
- Michael Todman – President (through April 2024)
The foundation is governed by 8 officers and trustees and operates with limited paid staffing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEB O'CONNOR | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 0.12 | — |
| MICHAEL TODMAN | PRESIDENT (THRU 04/2024) | 0.06 | — |
| PAMELA KLYN | PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 0.12 | — |
| CAREY MARTIN | VICE PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 0.09 | — |
| SHEENA BAILEY | SECRETARY | 0.12 | — |
| JENNIFER POWERS | TREASURER (THRU 03/2024) | 0.03 | — |
| DANIELE BROWN | TRUSTEE | 0.12 | — |
| DONALD D'ANNA | TREASURER & TRUSTEE | 0.06 | — |
| KOREY THOMAS | TRUSTEE | 0.09 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER CONLEY | TRUSTEE | 0.03 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Community Revitalization:**
The Whirlpool Foundation recently supported "Project T," a community revitalization initiative in Benton Harbor, Michigan. This public-private partnership, developed by Renovare Development and Harbor Habitat for Humanity, will redevelop the former Mercy Hospital site to construct 14 duplex buildings in Phase 1, with plans for up to 77 new homes when complete.
Whirlpool Foundation Announces 2025 Sons & Daughters Scholarship Recipients**The Washing Machine Project:**
Whirlpool Foundation and The Washing Machine Project Win Best Employee EngagementThe foundation supports The Washing Machine Project, a grassroots organization providing off-grid manual washing machines to people in low-income and displaced communities without access to stable electricity and/or running water. The foundation and The Washing Machine Project won the Best Employee Engagement Initiative award at the 2025 Engage for Good Halo Awards. The partnership celebrated its first year of collaboration in 2025, working to address the global washing divide.
Whirlpool Foundation Announces 2025 Sons & Daughters Scholarship Recipients**Scholarship Program:**
The foundation continues to announce annual recipients of its Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program, with announcements made in 2024 and 2025.
Whirlpool Foundation Announces 2025 Sons & Daughters Scholarship RecipientsContact Information
- Phone: 269-923-5000
- Address: 2000 N M 63, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2632
- Website: www.whirlpoolcorp.com/our-impact/social-impact/
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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