Whitaker Family Foundation
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.
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
Share of all 7 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NORTHWEST Little Rock, AR | ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S NORTHWEST EXPANSION | $1,008,846 |
| CIRCLE OF LIFE Springdale, AR | CENTER FOR IN-HOME CARE, EXPANDING THE CIRCLE CAMPAIGN | $200,835 |
| ARKANSAS BAPTIST ASSEMBLY INC DBA CAMP SILOAM Siloam Springs, AR | CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTENNIAL LAKE PROJECT | $162,815 |
| BARNABAS FOUNDATION Branson, MO | THE CABIN PROJECT AT CAMP BARNABAS | $100,315 |
| NWA CHILDREN'S SHELTER Bentonville, AR | EMERGENCY CARE/CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| RIVER VALLEY FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES Fort Smith, AR | 2024 ANNUAL PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP | $50,120 |
| BRANDON BURLSWORTH FOUNDATION Harrison, AR | 2024 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 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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
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.
Here's the math on researching Whitaker Family Foundation by hand.
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Whitaker Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?