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.
Whitaker Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Whitaker Family Foundation gave $1.6M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $229K), mostly in Arkansas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,602,931
- +91.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $228,990
- +146.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,315
- Total assets
- $18,438,039
- +32.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Arkansas (94% 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 Whitaker Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests by written request. Begin with a Letter of Inquiry, which may be submitted at any time and should describe the organization and proposed project, include a preliminary project budget, and be signed by an authorized officer. The foundation aims to acknowledge inquiries within three weeks. If invited to proceed, applicants submit a full application describing the project, timeframe, outcomes and measures of success, evaluation, budget and requested amount, other funding sources, and relevant applicant information. Required supporting documents include the IRS tax-exemption letter, current trustee list, and most recent audited financial statements. The foundation may request additional information or a site visit. Its filing states no award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- 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
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Whitaker Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arkansas Children's Hospital Northwest ($1.0M). Together the top 7 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 38 (34%).
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 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Whitaker Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 87% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 164% of 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 $679K (2022) to $1.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
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 |
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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 | $18,438,039 | $5,953,471 | $1,796,572 | $1,602,931 | 7 | $1,676,339 | $4,420,524 | $1,023,120 |
| 2023 | $13,891,121 | $2,154,402 | $987,784 | $837,485 | 9 | $906,392 | $792,410 | $756,876 |
| 2022 | $12,724,487 | $1,487,870 | $844,679 | $678,980 | 7 | $715,637 | $195,312 | $740,893 |
| 2021 | $12,081,296 | $1,890,834 | $1,010,431 | $859,392 | 9 | $903,853 | $508,602 | $746,027 |
| 2020 | $11,211,988 | $1,702,809 | $840,067 | $690,000 | 6 | — | $266,295 | $640,368 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Whitaker Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M 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 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.
The largest 2024 awards were $1,008,846 to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest for its expansion; $200,835 to Circle of Life for its Center for In-Home Care and Expanding the Circle campaign; $162,815 to Arkansas Baptist Assembly, Inc., doing business as Camp Siloam, for the Centennial Lake project; and $100,315 to Barnabas Foundation for the Cabin Project at Camp Barnabas. Other awards included $75,000 to NWA Children’s Shelter for an emergency care and case management program, $50,120 to River Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes for an annual presenting sponsorship, and $5,000 to Brandon Burlsworth Foundation for its Eyes of a Champion program.
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $34K, to Alicia Wantz (CFO).
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-PF. 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-PF.
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-PF 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-PF 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-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Whitaker Family Foundation?
Whitaker Family Foundation reported $18.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
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. See mission & focus areas ↑
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 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 October 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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