William & Florence Wheeler Foundation
The William & Florence Wheeler Foundation is a private foundation established in 1987, based in Bakersfield, California. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees and focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations through grantmaking in education, human services, and youth development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.9M
+3.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$325K
+20.0% YoY
Grant Count
26
+44.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-16.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William & Florence Wheeler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $311K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is giving for human services and education. Specific areas of interest include:
- Education: Higher education, research, and educational centers
- Human Services: Family services and social services
- Youth Development: Children and youth programs, including at-risk youth
- Agricultural Education: Support for agricultural associations and youth agricultural programs (4-H and FFA)
- Health: Programs providing assistance to children with cancer and special needs
- Arts & Culture: Museum support
- Sports & Recreation: Equestrian sports, athletic programs, collegiate rodeo, and reining sports
Grantmaking
No specific application deadlines or formal application procedures are detailed in available sources.
Grant Range
$500–$117,500
Average Grant
amount varies by program
Review Cycle
or formal application procedures are detailed in available sources.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in Bakersfield, California, with some giving in California and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,932,358
- Total Revenue: $527,284
- Total Expenses: $497,803
- Total Giving: $324,641
- Giving Rate: 6.7%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,932,358 | $4,778,194 | $5,043,288 |
| Revenue | $527,284 | $103,903 | $929,279 |
| Expenses | $497,803 | $409,841 | $398,436 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $324,641 | $270,455 | $246,633 |
| Net Investment Income | $444,635 | $28,166 | $845,698 |
| Distributable Amount | $310,981 | $306,771 | $338,847 |
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
112 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include California 4h Foundation ($50,000), Cmsf Heritage Foundation ($45,191), Boys & Girls Club of Kern County ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO SUPPORT MUSEUMS THAT ENGAGES, INSPIRES, AND BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH VISUAL ART. | $5,000 |
| BASS LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BASS LAKE, CA | TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED FIREWORK DISPLAY TRADITION THAT BRINGS SMILES AND CHEERS FROM YOUNG TO OLD ALIKE. | $1,000 |
| BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE FOUNDATION BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGIATE RODEO TEAM. | $10,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIMES BY INSTILLING IN THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND SCOUT LAW. | $15,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF KERN COUNTY BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IMPROVE SCHOLARTICALLY, DEVELOP SOCIALLY, AND PREPARE PROFESSIONALLY. | $30,000 |
| CALIFORNIA 4H FOUNDATION DAVIS, CA | TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN REACHING THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL WHILE ADVANCING THE FIELD OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. | $50,000 |
| CALIFORNIA REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION TEMECULA, CA | TO ADVANCE THE SPORT OF REINING WITH DEDICATION AND PASSION. | $11,500 |
| FRONTIER AG BOOSTERS INC BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL CENTERS. | $1,000 |
| GARCES MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO HELP NURTURE STUDENTS' SPIRITUALITY, DEVELOP THEIR INTELLECT AND THEIR CHARACTER. | $16,450 |
| CMSF HERITAGE FOUNDATION PASO ROBLES, CA | TO PRESERVE AND ENRICH THE HERITAGE OF THE 16TH DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION AND SHOWCASE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES TO THE COMMUNITY; TO OFFER SUPPORT TO THE 4-H AND FFA PROJECTS AND CREATE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES; MAINTAIN A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN THE FACILITIES AND CREATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TO SERVE AS AN ARM OF THE CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR THAT CAN ACCEPT CHARITABLE DONATIONS. | $45,191 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Nancy L Wheeler: Trustee, working 8 hours per week with compensation of $49,000
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NANCY L WHEELER | TRUSTEE | 8 | $49,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking with recent awards in 2024-2025 focused on youth development, cancer support programs, and community services in the Bakersfield area.
Wheeler Health Expands Services for LGBTQ+ Community with $110,000 GrantFrequently Asked Questions
What does William & Florence Wheeler Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is giving for human services and education. Specific areas of interest include: • **Education:** Higher education, research, and educational centers • **Human Services:** Family services and social services • **Youth Development:** Children and youth programs, including at-risk youth • **Agricultural Education:** Support for agricultural associations and youth agricultural programs (4-H and FFA) • **Health:** Programs providing assistance to children with cancer…
How do I apply for a grant from William & Florence Wheeler Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 28 grants in the most recent reporting period • Total giving: $324,641 • Grant range: $500–$117,500 • Median grant amount: $5,000 • Average grant amount varies by program **Types of Support:** • General operating support • Project support **Recent Grants (2024-2025):** • The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County: $30,000 (to help young people improve scholastically, develop socially, and prepare professionally) • Mendiburu Magic Foundation Against Cancer: $30,000 (to pr…
Where does William & Florence Wheeler Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in Bakersfield, California, with some giving in California and New York.
What size grants does William & Florence Wheeler Foundation award?
In 2024, William & Florence Wheeler Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $325K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is William & Florence Wheeler Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, William & Florence Wheeler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $311K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is William & Florence Wheeler Foundation's EIN?
William & Florence Wheeler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0233486. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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