The Wise Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1999 and located in Marshall, Virginia. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation with limited staffing, focusing on distributing grants to charitable organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.7M
+0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$944K
-5.0% YoY
Grant Count
86
-1.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-3.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wise Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is "giving to local community projects." Primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Historic preservation
- Community services
- Fire and rescue services
- Science and STEM education
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds.
Grant Range
$500–$175,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Virginia, West Virginia, and South Carolina, with emphasis on local community projects.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $19,700,039
- Total revenues: $1,074,125
- Total expenses: $1,049,374
- Total liabilities: $0
- Investment income and dividends: $582,115
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $492,010
Historical Context:
- Tax-exempt status since August 1999
- EIN: 54-1942771
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,700,039 | $19,667,227 | $20,456,298 |
| Revenue | $1,074,125 | $460,520 | $1,794,469 |
| Expenses | $1,049,374 | $1,115,503 | $1,235,142 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $969,373 | $1,029,878 | $1,138,664 |
| Net Investment Income | $994,124 | $463,265 | $1,697,991 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,059,515 | $979,657 | $1,002,167 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Buchanan Hall ($60,000), Flagler College ($50,000), Flagler Museum ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1776 LITTLE FORK PRESERVATION FOUNDATION RIXEYVILLE, VA | HISTORIC PRESERVATION - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
| A PLACE TO BE MIDDLEBURG, VA | COMMUNITY SERVICES - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
| AMATEUR RIDERS CLUB MIDDLEBURG, VA | COMMUNITY SERVICES - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $10,000 |
| ANGEL FLIGHT VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | COMMUNITY SERVICES - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
| BLUE RIDGE WILDLIFE CENTER BOYCE, VA | ANIMAL WELFARE - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $10,000 |
| BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DUPLIN COUNTY KENANSVILLE, NC | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
| BOULDER CREST RETREAT FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS BLUEMONT, VA | COMMUNITY SERVICES - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $20,000 |
| BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE BRIDGEWATER, VA | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
| BUCHANAN HALL UPPERVILLE, VA | HISTORIC PRESERVATION - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $60,000 |
| CANINE COMPANIONS NORTHEAST REGION MEDFORD, NY | ANIMAL WELFARE - GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Lewis B Pollard – President
- Lewis S Wiley – Board Member
- Frederick G Pollard II – Board Member
- Sheila W Harrell – Board Member
- Dawn E Confer – Board Member
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing; board members contribute minimal hours on a volunteer basis, with the exception of one board member who receives $24,000 annually.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEWIS B POLLARD | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| LEWIS S WILEY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| FREDERICK G POLLARD II | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHEILA W HARRELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAWN E CONFER | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $24,000 |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 557, Marshall, VA 20116-0557
- Telephone: 540-364-2470
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wise Foundation fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is "giving to local community projects." Primary funding interests include: • Education • Historic preservation • Community services • Fire and rescue services • Science and STEM education
How do I apply for a grant from Wise Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 82–86 grants in the most recent fiscal year (2024) • Total giving: $943,500 (2024) • Median grant amount: $6,300 • Grant range: $500–$175,000 **Recent Grantees Include:** • Buchanan Hall Corporation ($60,000 for historic preservation) • Flagler College ($50,000 for education) • University of Virginia ($50,000 for education) • Bridgewater College **Application Process:** The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only and do…
Where does Wise Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Virginia, West Virginia, and South Carolina, with emphasis on local community projects.
What size grants does Wise Foundation award?
In 2024, Wise Foundation awarded 86 grants totaling $944K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wise Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wise Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wise Foundation's EIN?
Wise Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1942771. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wise Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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