Winding Stair Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Franklin, NC EIN: 85-3533254

Winding Stair Foundation is a private foundation, based in Franklin, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $49K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $51K.

Key facts about Winding Stair Foundation

In short: Winding Stair Foundation gave $51K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
85-3533254
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$51,000
Grants made (2024)
2
Average grant
$25,500
Median grant
$25,500
Total assets
$48,734
Primary geography
North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$49K

+63.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$51K

Grant Count

2

Avg Grant Size

$26K

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Winding Stair Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Winding Stair Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

Cities

FranklinAtlantaCullowheeHuntsville

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K0 grants2020 4 grants2021 3 grants2022 0 grants2023 2 grants2024

From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2022) to $51K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $51K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 2 recipients in 2024

Macon County Farmers Market: $26KMacon County Farmers Market$26KMacon County Care Net: $25KMacon County Care Net$25K

The largest 2024 recipient was Macon County Farmers Market ($26K). Together the top 2 received $51K.

Grant Size Distribution

9 grants across all recorded years

9<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Macon County Farmers Market Franklin, NCAssist in fulfilling the organziations mission$26,000
Macon County Care Net Franklin, NCAssist in fulfilling the organziations mission$25,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$48,734$29,818$31,016
Revenue$86,500—$27,500
Expenses$70,543$1,198$5,477
Qualifying Distributions$70,543—$4,350
Distributable Amount$1,012$1,503$1,506

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Winding Stair Foundation is led by Gregory Mullins, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Gregory Mullins

    President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • John Penninger

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Stacy Bredendieck

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Winding Stair Foundation

How much does Winding Stair Foundation give each year?

Winding Stair Foundation gave $51K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

How large is Winding Stair Foundation?

Winding Stair Foundation reported $49K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $71K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

Where does Winding Stair Foundation operate?

Winding Stair Foundation has awarded grants in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina.

What is Winding Stair Foundation's EIN?

Winding Stair Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3533254. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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