Wilmington University Inc
Wilmington University Inc is a public charity based in New Castle, Delaware. Its stated purpose is to provide accessible, affordable higher education through career-oriented degree and certificate programs, while its 2025 filing reports grants to 13 recipients, all in Delaware.
Wilmington University Inc at a glance
In short: Wilmington University Inc gave $113K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Delaware. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $113,300
- +9.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,715
- -15.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $384,874,339
- +3.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (5 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Delaware (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wilmington University Inc
- Review Cycle
- The scholarship page lists November 1, 2026, as the WilmU application deadline for the Spring 2027 scholarship term. Its June 1, 2026, deadline for the Fall 2026 term has passed. These are student scholarship deadlines, not deadlines for grants to outside organizations.
- Deadline
- The scholarship page lists November 1, 2026, as the WilmU application deadline for the Spring 2027 scholarship term.
- Contact
Mailing address: 320 North Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: (302) 356-6915
Website: https://wilmu.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wilmington University Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Delaware State Chamber of Commerce ($16K). Together the top 10 received $97K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 42 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Delaware. The listed recipients are located in Wilmington, New Castle, and Dover.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wilmington University Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 13 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $7K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $42K (2022) to $119K (2023). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $113K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of Various Events | $15,670 |
| New Castle Chamber of Commerce Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of Various Events | $13,750 |
| Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of Annual Gala and Golf Classic | $13,000 |
| Penn Acres Swim Club Inc New Castle, DE | Donation | $12,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Delaware Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of golf classic and youth of the year event | $8,480 |
| Junior Achievement of DE Inc Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of Various Events | $8,000 |
| Wilmington Blue Rocks LP Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of the 2025 Season | $8,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of 5k series and wine women & shoes event | $6,000 |
| The Mary Campbell Center Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of Golf Invitational | $6,000 |
| Duffy's Hope Wilmington, DE | Sponsorship of Various Events | $5,700 |
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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 | $384,874,339 | $142,357,658 | $136,037,155 | $113,300 | 13 | $8,090,549 |
| 2024 | $371,599,373 | $156,581,244 | $133,473,842 | $103,641 | 10 | $16,966,395 |
| 2023 | $357,282,631 | $123,946,874 | $121,397,331 | $118,505 | 10 | $-3,679,222 |
| 2022 | $291,760,814 | $129,795,391 | $119,415,820 | $41,700 | 5 | $18,140,749 |
| 2021 | $306,496,954 | $148,642,750 | $114,660,396 | $73,750 | 4 | $28,981,350 |
| 2020 | $264,863,529 | $134,526,149 | $121,216,156 | $91,960 | 9 | $11,381,926 |
| 2019 | $274,872,284 | $123,116,755 | $120,242,198 | $117,750 | 11 | $2,797,648 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The university’s mission emphasizes excellence in teaching, relevant programs, individual attention, and accessible higher education for students with varied ages, interests, and aspirations. It says its career-oriented undergraduate and graduate programs and certificates are designed to help students begin or advance careers and pursue lifelong learning.
The 2025 grants listed include event sponsorships and donations to Delaware organizations. The supported organizations’ own descriptions illustrate the range of recipients: the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce says it promotes a stronger business climate in the state; the Grand Opera House says it provides live performances and educational programs; and the Mary Campbell Center says it serves people with special needs. ZIP Code Wilmington describes its work as software-development training and job placement, while Delaware Technical & Community College describes its mission as providing financial assistance to the college. These are the grantees’ descriptions, not stated university grantmaking priorities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Wilmington University reported 13 grants totaling $113,300. Grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $15,670, with a median of $8,000. Listed purposes include sponsorship of events, a donation, and support for an anniversary innovation sponsor.
Notable 2025 recipients included the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce ($15,670, sponsorship of various events), New Castle Chamber of Commerce ($13,750, sponsorship of various events), Grand Opera House ($13,000, sponsorship of its annual gala and golf classic), Penn Acres Swim Club ($12,500, donation), and Boys & Girls Club of Delaware ($8,480, sponsorship of a golf classic and Youth of the Year event). Other listed recipients included Junior Achievement of Delaware ($8,000), Wilmington Blue Rocks ($8,000), Ronald McDonald House ($6,000), the Mary Campbell Center ($6,000), Duffy’s Hope ($5,700), Delaware Technical & Community College ($5,500), and ZIP Code Wilmington ($5,500).
The university’s scholarship information describes awards for its own students, with applicants required to be current students or have a completed admissions application on record. It does not establish an application process for outside organizations seeking grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Robert C Cole Jr, Alan D Ellingsworth, Michael J Farnan, Larry D Gehrke, Mariam Koohdary (as of February 1, 2025), David F Marvin, Lawrence H Miller, Edmund Pribitkin, John J Ray III, and Dana P Robinson.
Wilmington University Inc is led by Laverne T. Harmon, President on every filing since 2019; 10 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laverne T. Harmon
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$833K (2019) → $1.4M (2025)
Joseph J. Farnan Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa A. Zebley
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Alan D. Ellingsworth
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen L. Samuels
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana P. Robinson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David F. Marvin
Trustee
Vice Chairman → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edmund Pribitkin
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry D. Gehrke
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence H. Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Farnan
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert C. Cole Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue L. Robinson
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy T. Woodson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John J. Ray III
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mariam Koohdary
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carole D. Pitcher
Former Vice President
Vice President → Former Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
$369K (2019) → $593K (2025)
Christian Trowbridge
Vice President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$323K (2019) → $436K (2025)
Erin J. Dimarco
Senior Vice President & COO
Vice President → Senior Vice President & COO, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$486K (2019) → $661K (2025)
Heather A. O'Connell
Vice President
CFO & Vice President → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$432K (2019) → $2.4M (2025)
Jacqueline Varsalona
Vice President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$258K (2019) → $407K (2025)
James Wilson Jr.
Professor
Vice President → Professor, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$350K (2019) → $443K (2025)
Lloyd Ricketts
Senior Vice President, CFO & Treasurer
Vice President & CFO → Vice President, CFO & Treasurer, 2024
Vice President, CFO & Treasurer → Senior Vice President, CFO & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$63K (2023) → $597K (2025)
Phillip Closius
Dean
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$422K (2024) → $532K (2025)
Denise Wells
Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$285K (2025)
Thomas E. Leipold
Vice Chairman
Vice Chairman & Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Peter Bailey (2019–2024) — Former Vice President
- Former: Thomas S. Shaw (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: David Lewis (2019–2023) — Assistant Vice President
- Former: Eileen Donnelly (2019–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Irene Du Pont Jr. (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Angela Suchanic (2019–2022) — Assistant Vice President
- Former: Donna Quinn (2019–2022) — Executive Director - Office of
- Former: Jack P. Varsalona (2019–2022) — President Emeritus
- Former: Tina Barksdale (2019–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Peter Lutus (2021–2022) — Assistant & Vice President
- Former: Peg Mitchell (2022) — Assistant & Vice President
- Former: G. Dean Macewen MD (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Richard P. Sanger (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Sallie Reissman (2021) — Assistant & Vice President
- Former: John Cunningham (2019–2020) — Assistant & Vice President
- Former: Phillip Don Hagermann (2019–2020) — Assistant & Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $2.4M, to Heather O'Connell (Vice President (Thru 2/29/24)). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wilmington University Inc
How much does Wilmington University Inc give each year?
Wilmington University Inc gave $113K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $104K across 10 grants.
What is Wilmington University Inc's typical grant size?
Wilmington University Inc's median grant in 2025 was $8,000, and its average grant was $8,715, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wilmington University Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does Wilmington University Inc give grants?
Wilmington University Inc gives mostly in Delaware: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wilmington, DE (10 grants) and New Castle, DE (2 grants).
Does Wilmington University Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Wilmington University Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship of Various Events" (5 grants).
Who are Wilmington University Inc's largest grantees?
Wilmington University Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Delaware State Chamber of Commerce ($15,670), New Castle Chamber of Commerce ($13,750) and Grand Opera House ($13,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Wilmington University Inc?
Wilmington University Inc reported $384.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $142.4M.
What does Wilmington University Inc fund?
The university’s mission emphasizes excellence in teaching, relevant programs, individual attention, and accessible higher education for students with varied ages, interests, and aspirations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wilmington University Inc?
Wilmington University Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check wilmu.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Wilmington University Inc's EIN?
Wilmington University Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0107088. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Wilmington University Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Wilmington University Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Wilmington, DE
Delaware Community Foundation supports nonprofits and students addressing community needs in Delaware, including community-impact projects, capital improvements, and scholarships. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $21,500, though awards varied widely. Applicants are directed to apply through the relevant program’s online portal; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
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Longwood Foundation supports nonprofit organizations across sectors, funding operating, program, and capital requests that strengthen their work and impact. Recent average awards are $250,000–$400,000, with requests capped at $2 million; it serves Delaware and the area within four miles of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. It accepts online grant requests, with Spring and Fall deadlines of March 1 and September 1.
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Ellason Downs Perpetual Charitable Trust
Wilmington, DE
The trust supports charitable organizations across education, arts and culture, health, recovery, safety, and conservation, with most funding going to Delaware and Pennsylvania. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $36,700, with a median of $5,850. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Crestlea Foundation Inc
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Crestlea Foundation supports nonprofits working in social services, education, health care, arts and culture, the environment, housing, and civic causes, primarily in Delaware and parts of southeastern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its typical grant is about $15,000, with recent awards ranging from $4,250 to $50,000. It accepts applications, but organizations must first meet with foundation staff and receive an access code; annual applications are due January 15.
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Welfare Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Welfare Foundation Inc. primarily funds capital projects in social services, housing, health, education, environment, civic work, and arts and humanities in Delaware and southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. It gives about $5 million annually; recent grants ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online system, but applicants must first meet with Foundation staff.
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Neal & Lourdes Simmons Foundation
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The Brownsville-based foundation supports local churches, children’s health and education, food assistance, family services, veterans, and other charitable causes, with nearly all 2025 grant dollars going to Texas organizations. Its 11 grants totaled $58,460; grants ranged from $100 to $40,050, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
11
Total Given
$58K
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wilmington University Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wilmington-university-inc-morg_2fa22b80662c4ea69227a34f7073123e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510107088_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wilmington University Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wilmington-university-inc-morg_2fa22b80662c4ea69227a34f7073123e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Wilmington University Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Wilmington University Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?