Winding Stair Foundation
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.
Winding Stair Foundation at a glance
In short: Winding Stair Foundation gave $51K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $51,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- Average grant
- $25,500
- Median grant
- $25,500
- Total assets
- $48,734
- +63.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Winding Stair Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2022) to $51K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $51K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Macon County Farmers Market Franklin, NC | Assist in fulfilling the organziations mission | $26,000 |
| Macon County Care Net Franklin, NC | Assist in fulfilling the organziations mission | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Winding Stair Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,734 | $86,500 | $70,543 | $51,000 | 2 | $70,543 | $1,012 |
| 2023 | $29,818 | — | $1,198 | — | — | — | $1,503 |
| 2022 | $31,016 | $27,500 | $5,477 | $4,350 | 3 | $4,350 | $1,506 |
| 2021 | $8,993 | $27,500 | $43,504 | $41,985 | 4 | $41,985 | $1,181 |
| 2020 | $24,997 | $25,000 | $3 | — | — | — | $287 |
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.
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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Winding Stair Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Winding Stair Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
North Carolina Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation Inc
Charlotte, NC
To provide grants to clinics in support of childhood language disorders to assist children with these disorders to overcome their disabilities.
Assets
$5.1M
Grants
3
Total Given
$118K
Association of Women's Health Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses
Washington, DC
To improve and promote the health of women and newborns and to strengthen the nursing profession through the delivery of superior advocacy, research, education and other professional and clinical resources to nurses and other health care professionals.
Assets
$16.2M
Grants
3
Total Given
$25K
United Way of Dodge City Inc
Dodge City, KS
Raising funds for not for profit agencies to advance the common good by focusing on improving education, helping others achieve financial stability, and promoting healthy lives.
Assets
$353K
Grants
4
Total Given
$25K
The Waterfall Foundation Inc
Atlanta, GA
The Waterfall Foundation supported 501(c)(3) organizations across varied charitable causes, with grants typically around $50,000 in 2025; its reported awards included recipients in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Georgia, and Illinois, though nearly all grant dollars went to Massachusetts because of a one-time asset transfer. The foundation filed to dissolve in April 2025, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$-969,035
Grants
5
Total Given
$21.2M
The Howard Dynasty Foundation Inc
Coarsegold, CA
Assets
$626K
Grants
6
Total Given
$50K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Winding Stair Foundation'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.
Winding Stair Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?