Whiteman Foundation
The Whiteman Foundation is a private foundation established in 1961 and based in Mesa, Arizona. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since October 1963. The foundation was created by Jack Whiteman, founder of Empire Southwest, a Caterpillar equipment dealership in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.9M
-4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$300K
Grant Count
13
Avg Grant Size
$23K
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Whiteman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $397K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs designed to promote the health, education, and welfare of children, with special emphasis directed toward early childhood development.
According to available descriptions, the foundation primarily funds:
- Young women in need
- Two-generation education programs
- Scientific programs for trauma and emotional needs
- Rescue and prevention of child sex trafficking
- Outdoor childhood development
- Early childhood education initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation makes modest grants with limited annual giving activity. Recent grant examples include:
Grant Range
s are typically modest, and the foundation does not give away large amounts annually.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on Maricopa County, Arizona, with particular emphasis on the Mesa area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,860,007
- Total Revenue: $222,262
- Total Expenses: $410,130
- Net Income: -$187,868
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $5,062,404
- Total Revenue: $339,766
- Total Expenses: $105,770
- Investment Income: $166,058
The foundation's primary revenue source comes from investment income and dividends, with the original funding derived from Empire Southwest's commitment of over two percent of pretax profits to charitable causes.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,860,007 | $5,062,404 | $4,828,408 |
| Revenue | $222,262 | $339,766 | $185,481 |
| Expenses | $410,130 | $105,770 | $475,323 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $326,350 | $26,481 | $397,759 |
| Net Investment Income | $165,411 | $289,894 | $132,564 |
| Distributable Amount | $397,482 | $332,528 | $340,358 |
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
56 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Family Promise ($35,000), A New Leaf ($25,000), Boys Girls Club ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A New Leaf Mesa, AZ | Homeless children | $25,000 |
| Boys Girls Club Phoenix, AZ | Education for civic disadvantaged youth | $25,000 |
| Circle the City Phoenix, AZ | Holistic care for the homeless | $25,000 |
| Desert Voices Phoenix, AZ | Children with hearing loss | $10,000 |
| Family Promise Paradise Valley, AZ | Homeless children | $35,000 |
| Flagstaff Shelter Services Flagstaff, AZ | Homeless | $25,000 |
| Foundation for Blind Children Phoenix, AZ | Blind children | $25,000 |
| Friends of Camp Colton Flagstaff, AZ | Environmental education for children | $20,000 |
| House of Refuge Mesa, AZ | Homeless families | $20,000 |
| Mindfulness First Scottsdale, AZ | Mindfulness therapy for children | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
John O. Whiteman and Dolores Whiteman are identified as key figures associated with the foundation's work and mission.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Whiteman | Vice President | 1 | — |
| Anne Wilson | VP Secretary | 1 | — |
| Jeff Whiteman | President | 1 | — |
| Mollie Trivers | Director | 2 | — |
| Madison Sato | Director | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Phone: 480-644-0253
- Location: Mesa, Arizona
- EIN: 86-6052816
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Whiteman Foundation fund?
The foundation supports programs designed to promote the health, education, and welfare of children, with special emphasis directed toward early childhood development. According to available descriptions, the foundation primarily funds: • Young women in need • Two-generation education programs • Scientific programs for trauma and emotional needs • Rescue and prevention of child sex trafficking • Outdoor childhood development • Early childhood education initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Whiteman Foundation?
The foundation makes modest grants with limited annual giving activity. Recent grant examples include: • Flagstaff Shelter Services: $25,000 (2022) • Foundation for Blind Children: $25,000 (2022) • Circle the City: $25,000 (2022) The foundation made 16 grants in 2023. Grant sizes are typically modest, and the foundation does not give away large amounts annually. **Application Process:** No official application form is required. Applicants should submit: • Budget • IRS letter • Organization prof…
Where does Whiteman Foundation make grants?
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on Maricopa County, Arizona, with particular emphasis on the Mesa area.
What size grants does Whiteman Foundation award?
In 2024, Whiteman Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $300K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Whiteman Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Whiteman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $397K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Whiteman Foundation's EIN?
Whiteman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-6052816. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Whiteman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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