Whitaker Family Foundation logo

Whitaker Family Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Fayetteville, AR EIN: 47-2311665 Website

The Whitaker Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Established in December 2014 by members of the family of the late C. Don Whitaker and L. Pauline Whitaker, it supports children’s healthcare and education, including medical and clinical research related to children’s health.

Key facts about Whitaker Family Foundation

In short: Whitaker Family Foundation gave $1.6M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $229K), mostly in Arkansas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

EIN
47-2311665
Latest 990 filing
Form 990 filing, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,602,931
Grants made (2024)
7
Average grant
$228,990
Median grant
$100,315
Primary geography
Arkansas (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Yes
How to apply
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests by written request. Full details ↓
Deadline
None stated.

Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$1.6M

+91.4% YoY

Grant Count

7

-22.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$229K

+146.1% YoY

How Whitaker Family Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 87% from 2021 to 2024. Method

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation seeks to raise public awareness and provide funding for research into the causes of and cures for chronic or serious medical conditions in children. It funds medical and clinical research in children’s health, wellness, and disease prevention, and supports social, economic, and emotional engagement and education for youth.

Its 2024 grants included support for a children’s hospital expansion, hospice in-home care, camp construction and programming, and emergency care and case management. Circle of Life describes its mission as providing end-of-life medical care to people in Northwest Arkansas. Barnabas Foundation describes Camp Barnabas as a Christian summer camp for people with special needs, their siblings, and youth. Brandon Burlsworth Foundation says it supports the physical and spiritual needs of children with limited opportunities.

Grantmaking

The foundation awarded $1,602,931 across seven grants in 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,008,846, with a median of $100,315.

Review Cycle

** None stated.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arkansas and 6% to recipients in Missouri. The listed 2024 recipients were in Arkansas or Missouri.

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of all 7 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

SpringdaleBentonvilleFayettevilleFort SmithBransonRochesterSiloam SpringsWilmingtonConwayDewittHarrisonLittle FlockLittle RockRogersSedaliaSpringfield

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M6 grants20209 grants20217 grants20229 grants20237 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Arkansas Children's Hospital Northwest: $1.0MArkansas Children's HospitalNorthwest$1.0MCircle of Life: $201KCircle of Life$201KArkansas Baptist Assembly Inc DBA Camp Siloam: $163KArkansas Baptist Assembly IncDBA Camp Siloam$163KBarnabas Foundation: $100KBarnabas Foundation$100KNwa Children's Shelter: $75KNwa Children's Shelter$75KRiver Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes: $50KRiver Valley Fellowship ofChristian Athletes$50KBrandon Burlsworth Foundation: $5KBrandon Burlsworth Foundation$5K

Grant Size Distribution

38 grants across all recorded years

13<$50K11$50–100K9$100–250K4$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NORTHWEST Little Rock, ARARKANSAS CHILDREN'S NORTHWEST EXPANSION$1,008,846
CIRCLE OF LIFE Springdale, ARCENTER FOR IN-HOME CARE, EXPANDING THE CIRCLE CAMPAIGN$200,835
ARKANSAS BAPTIST ASSEMBLY INC DBA CAMP SILOAM Siloam Springs, ARCONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTENNIAL LAKE PROJECT$162,815
BARNABAS FOUNDATION Branson, MOTHE CABIN PROJECT AT CAMP BARNABAS$100,315
NWA CHILDREN'S SHELTER Bentonville, AREMERGENCY CARE/CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM$75,000
RIVER VALLEY FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES Fort Smith, AR2024 ANNUAL PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP$50,120
BRANDON BURLSWORTH FOUNDATION Harrison, AR2024 EYES OF A CHAMPION PROGRAM$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Grants awarded Number of grants
2024 $1,602,931 7
2023 $837,485 9
2022 $678,980 7
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.5$1$1.520202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets———
Revenue———
Expenses———
Qualifying Distributions———
Net Investment Income———
Distributable Amount———

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Larry Whitaker as chairman, Buck Ortega as secretary-treasurer, Alicia Wantz as CFO, and Amy Whitaker and Emily Ortega as vice presidents. The foundation’s application page identifies Alicia Wantz as executive director.

Whitaker Family Foundation is led by Larry Whitaker, Chairman on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Larry Whitaker

    Chairman

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Alicia Wantz

    CFO

    On filings since 2021

    10 hrs/week

    $14K (2021) → $34K (2024)

  • Buck Ortega

    Secretary Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Emily Ortega

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Whitaker

    Vice President

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Amy Whitaker Merryman (2020) — Vice President
  • Former: Christian Gunn Schinker (2020) — President

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Alicia Wantz — CFO: $34KAlicia WantzCFO$34K

Contact

Application contact: Alicia Wantz
Mailing address: 12 W Dickson St 1383, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 571-1700
Email: alicia@whitakerpropertieslllp.com
Website: https://whitakerfamilyfoundation.org

Frequently asked questions about Whitaker Family Foundation

How much does Whitaker Family Foundation give each year?

Whitaker Family Foundation gave $1.6M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $837K across 9 grants.

What is Whitaker Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Whitaker Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,315, and its average grant was $228,990, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

Where does Whitaker Family Foundation give grants?

Whitaker Family Foundation gives mostly in Arkansas: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest state was Missouri (6%).

Does Whitaker Family Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Whitaker Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support.

Who are Whitaker Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Whitaker Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arkansas Children's Hospital Northwest ($1,008,846), Circle of Life ($200,835) and Arkansas Baptist Assembly Inc DBA Camp Siloam ($162,815), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

What does Whitaker Family Foundation fund?

The foundation seeks to raise public awareness and provide funding for research into the causes of and cures for chronic or serious medical conditions in children. It funds medical and clinical research in children’s health, wellness, and disease prevention, and supports social, economic, and emotional engagement and education for youth. Its 2024 grants included support for a children’s hospital expansion, hospice in-home care, camp construction and programming, and emergency care and case mana…

How do I apply for a grant from Whitaker Family Foundation?

The foundation accepts unsolicited requests by written request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Whitaker Family Foundation's EIN?

Whitaker Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2311665. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does Whitaker Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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