Wilkes Economic Development
Economic development of Wilkes county
Wilkes Economic Development at a glance
In short: Wilkes Economic Development gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,400
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,400
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,400
- Total assets
- $5,922,683
- +22.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Wilkes Economic Development
- Next open deadline
- October 31, 2026 (Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program)
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Wilkes Economic Development
Downtown Boro's Small Business Grant Program
Wilkes Economic Development
Amount
Up to $5,000 per grant
Deadline
Deadline not published
NC Selectsite Readiness Program
Wilkes Economic Development
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program
Wilkes Economic Development
Amount
Up to $5,000 per grant; total varies by cycle
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Who Wilkes Economic Development funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wilkes Prohealth ($5K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 2 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2025) to $178K (2021). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $5K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wilkes Prohealth North Wilkesboro, NC | — | $5,400 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,922,683 | $1,500,987 | $722,111 | $5,400 | 1 | $44,622 |
| 2024 | $4,824,394 | $1,118,327 | $784,225 | $6,000 | 1 | $30,160 |
| 2023 | $4,481,472 | $1,430,166 | $560,880 | $27,161 | Total only | $16,126 |
| 2022 | $3,607,748 | $2,586,920 | $445,733 | $18,870 | Total only | $3,093 |
| 2021 | $1,468,078 | $374,575 | $559,982 | $177,863 | Total only | $4,542 |
| 2020 | $1,653,312 | $532,003 | $441,837 | — | — | $-7,196 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Wilkes Economic Development
Based on IRS filings
Wilkes Economic Development is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in North Wilkesboro, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $5K. Net investment income was $45K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Wilkes Economic Development is led by Leeann Nixon, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Leeann Nixon
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$95K (2020) → $125K (2025)
Amy Blair
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Isom
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Wilcox
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Palmer
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Mathis
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Thompson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Sexton
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eddie Holland
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Cothren
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Sink
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David McNeill
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joann Royal
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Johnny Harrold
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Hauser
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Luckey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Hamby
Vice President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$69K (2020) → $91K (2025)
Brett Cothren
Treasurer
Chair → Director, 2023
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Johnston
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Bumgarner
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Keith Elmore (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Russ Feree (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Sandra Simmons (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Shelmer Blackburn (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Lesa Hensley (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: John Cothern (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: George Smith (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Matt Daye (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Amanda Perry (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Debbie Ferguson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gary Daemer (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Victor Varela (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Eric Cramer (2020) — Director
- Former: Gary Johnson (2020) — Director
- Former: Jim Smoak (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $125K, to Leeann Nixon (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wilkes Economic Development
How much does Wilkes Economic Development give each year?
Wilkes Economic Development gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6K across 1 grant.
How large is Wilkes Economic Development?
Wilkes Economic Development reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What is Wilkes Economic Development?
Wilkes Economic Development is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in North Wilkesboro, NC. It holds $5.9M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Wilkes Economic Development operate?
Wilkes Economic Development has awarded grants in North Carolina.
What is Wilkes Economic Development's EIN?
Wilkes Economic Development's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1957642. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 6, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Wilkes Economic Development funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wilkes Economic Development's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
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Dogwood Health Trust
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Dogwood Health Trust funds work in housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness that improves wellbeing in Western North Carolina, including its 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $21 million, with a median of $37,500; application requirements vary by funding opportunity.
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The Winston-Salem Foundation
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The Winston-Salem Foundation funds charitable organizations serving Forsyth County, North Carolina, across areas including education, housing, economic opportunity, civic engagement, arts, health, and human services. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000; specific programs offer grants ranging from small grants of up to $2,000 to capital grants of up to $100,000. The profile describes application-based programs but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
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The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc
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Assets
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North Carolina Community Foundation Inc
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Assets
$569.1M
Grants
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Total Given
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More similar funders
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Wilkes Economic Development down — hundreds of funders to go?