Wild Geese Foundation Inc is an independent private foundation based in Hull, Massachusetts. Established in 2009, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission-driven approach to philanthropic grantmaking. The foundation works in an intersectional manner to support organizations and initiatives addressing critical social and environmental issues.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.0M
+4.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$809K
+28.2% YoY
Grant Count
56
-9.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+42.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wild Geese Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $547K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Wild Geese Foundation's mission acknowledges that a society in which marginalized humans do not thrive is unsustainable. The foundation operates with the principle that, as Mary Oliver stated, "You do not have to walk on your knees" to access resources needed for the work to be done.
The foundation supports six primary funding areas:
National Focus Areas:
- Reproductive Justice
- Youth
- Climate Justice
New England Regional Focus:
- Food Justice
- Expanding access to affordable and healthy food
Cross-Cutting Approach: The foundation supports projects that uplift youth and young people, recognizing that a society in which youth cannot thrive is unsustainable. It supports community-based food justice efforts to create sustainable agriculture and expand access to affordable and healthy food in New England. The foundation also supports everyone's right to reproductive justice, freedom, and self-determination, and climate justice initiatives to transition away from extractive energy production and fossil fuels while building resilient and regenerative economies in healthy communities.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program and is open to new applicants. Based on recent financial data, the foundation awarded approximately $808,500 in total giving, with typical grant awards ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The foundation funds diverse projects across multiple states and cities, including major urban centers such as Boston, Chicago, and New York, as well as smaller communities.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wild Geese Foundation supports initiatives across 28 states, with particular concentration in:
- Massachusetts
- California
- New York
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
The foundation maintains a national scope for its three primary issue areas (reproductive justice, youth, and climate justice) while focusing its food justice work specifically in New England.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $7.6 million to $8.0 million (as of most recent filings)
Annual Giving: Approximately $808,500 in total grants awarded
Annual Revenue: $559,523 to $560,000
Annual Expenses: Approximately $754,295
The foundation operates with minimal overhead, reflecting its volunteer-led structure.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,028,936 | $7,655,504 | $7,850,276 |
| Revenue | $1,401,988 | $559,523 | $107,840 |
| Expenses | $1,028,556 | $754,295 | $781,326 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $808,500 | $630,500 | $637,855 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,287,067 | $437,093 | $76,826 |
| Distributable Amount | $547,381 | $541,021 | $504,712 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Wild Geese Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Reproductive Equity Now ($100,000), A Step Ahead Chattanooga ($70,000), Crch Inc ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A STEP AHEAD CHATTANOOGA SODDYDAISY, TN | GENERAL PURPOSE | $70,000 |
| ACTON COMMUNITY SUPPER AND FOOD PANTRY BOXBOROUGH, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| AFRICAN CULTURAL SERVICES INC WALTHAM, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $18,000 |
| BACKYARD GROWERS GLOUCESTER, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| BERKSHIRE GROWN GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $15,000 |
| BIKES NOT BOMBS JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| BOSTON CASA BOSTON, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| BOSTON FOOD FOREST COALLITION JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| BRAVE SPACE ALLIANCE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| BUILDING AUDACITY LYNN, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by Sara G. Whitman, who serves as President and Treasurer. Additional directors include Benjamin, Zachary, and Jacob Cowen-Whitman. Notably, all key personnel work on a voluntary basis, receiving no compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN COWEN-WHITMAN | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| JACOB COWEN-WHITMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARA G WHITMAN | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 30 | $62,712 |
| ZACHARY COWEN-WHITMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Website: wildgeesefdn.org
Phone: 617-320-6635
Address: 35 K Street, Hull, MA 02045-1726
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wild Geese Foundation Inc fund?
Wild Geese Foundation's mission acknowledges that a society in which marginalized humans do not thrive is unsustainable. The foundation operates with the principle that, as Mary Oliver stated, "You do not have to walk on your knees" to access resources needed for the work to be done. The foundation supports six primary funding areas: **National Focus Areas:** • Reproductive Justice • Youth • Climate Justice **New England Regional Focus:** • Food Justice • Expanding access to affordable and heal…
How do I apply for a grant from Wild Geese Foundation Inc?
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program and is open to new applicants. Based on recent financial data, the foundation awarded approximately $808,500 in total giving, with typical grant awards ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The foundation funds diverse projects across multiple states and cities, including major urban centers such as Boston, Chicago, and New York, as well as smaller communities.
Where does Wild Geese Foundation Inc make grants?
Wild Geese Foundation supports initiatives across 28 states, with particular concentration in: • Massachusetts • California • New York • Colorado • District of Columbia The foundation maintains a national scope for its three primary issue areas (reproductive justice, youth, and climate justice) while focusing its food justice work specifically in New England.
What size grants does Wild Geese Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, Wild Geese Foundation Inc awarded 56 grants totaling $809K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wild Geese Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Wild Geese Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $547K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wild Geese Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wild Geese Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4607134. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wild Geese Foundation Inc'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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