Wonderful Foundations
Wonderful Foundations is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based private foundation that supports charter schools through grants, capital improvements, and a long-term property model. It acquires and leases school buildings, reinvests a portion of rent in schools, and intends to transfer building ownership to partner schools after the acquisition financing is paid off.
Wonderful Foundations at a glance
In short: Wonderful Foundations gave $284K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), top state Florida. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $283,765
- +27.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,647
- +27.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $16,500
- Total assets
- $226,414,350
- +14.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wonderful Foundations
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its application page says only schools already partnered with Wonderful Foundations are eligible, and applicants should submit an application only after speaking with a staff member. The foundation generally will not approve requests for general support, existing deficits, individuals, or non-secular activities.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2801 Hennepin Avenue 285, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: (612) 986-8532
Website: https://wonderfulfoundations.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wonderful Foundations funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wayne Preparatory Academy Charter School Inc ($61K). Together the top 10 received $269K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 51 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Florida (38%), North Carolina (26%), Arizona (23%), and California (12%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Wonderful Foundations open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 12 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $178K (2021) to $320K (2022). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $284K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Preparatory Academy Charter School Inc Goldsboro, NC | Wayne Hvac Replacements and Elevator Repairs | $60,965 |
| Imagine School at Town Center LLC Palm Coast, FL | General Operations | $57,800 |
| Richmond Charter Academy Richmond, CA | General Operations | $35,000 |
| Imagine School at Palmer Ranch Sarasota, FL | General Operations | $21,000 |
| Imagine Avondale Elementary Inc Avondale, AZ | General Operations | $18,500 |
| Imagine Prep Coolidge Inc Coolidge, AZ | General Operations | $16,500 |
| Kid's Community College Charter School Inc Tampa, FL | General Operations | $16,500 |
| Imagine Coolidge Elementary Inc Coolidge, AZ | General Operations | $14,500 |
| Imagine Prep Superstition Inc Apache Junction, AZ | General Operations | $14,500 |
| Sandhills Theatre Arts Renaissance School Vass, NC | General Operations | $14,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Wonderful Foundations?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $226,414,350 | $14,870,529 | $17,808,998 | $283,765 | 12 | $2,938,469 | — |
| 2023 | $198,401,187 | $19,529,844 | $22,621,265 | $223,264 | 12 | $3,094,031 | — |
| 2022 | $322,572,289 | $22,902,884 | $28,252,254 | $320,331 | 16 | — | $929,195 |
| 2021 | $335,018,950 | $18,325,687 | $22,149,363 | $178,494 | 11 | — | $41,576 |
| 2020 | $217,015,170 | $5,736,620 | $6,873,959 | — | — | — | $515 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to create incredible foundations for learning that can uplift kids’ lives.” Its website says it funds program and capital needs at partner schools, while its 2024 filing describes capital improvements to charter school buildings and grants for innovative programs.
The 2024 grants went to charter schools. Grantee descriptions provide examples of their work: Imagine Avondale Elementary, Imagine Prep Coolidge, Imagine Prep Superstition, and Imagine Coolidge Elementary each describe their mission as operating a nonprofit charter school and conducting educational research, evaluation, and development activities. Kid’s Community College Charter School describes its mission as supporting children’s well-being and educational success through care, higher learning, community enrichment, and promoting cultural diversity.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $283,765. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $60,965, with a median of $16,500.
The largest 2024 awards included $60,965 to Wayne Preparatory Academy Charter School for HVAC replacements and elevator repairs; $57,800 to Imagine School at Town Center for general operations; and $35,000 to Richmond Charter Academy for general operations. Other grants included $21,000 to Imagine School at Palmer Ranch, $18,500 to Imagine Avondale Elementary, and $16,500 each to Imagine Prep Coolidge and Kid’s Community College Charter School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Troy Snyder as board chair, Michele Shapiro as president/treasurer, and John Cairns as secretary.
Wonderful Foundations is led by Michele Shapiro, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2023; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michele Shapiro
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$25K (2023) → $29K (2024)
Troy Snyder
Board Chair
Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Cairns
Secretary
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$67K (2023) → $66K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Eric Knox (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Parker Lyons (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Art Pavlenko (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Darlene Chambers (2020–2021) — President
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $66K, to John Cairns (Secretary). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wonderful Foundations
How much does Wonderful Foundations give each year?
Wonderful Foundations gave $284K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $223K across 12 grants.
What is Wonderful Foundations's typical grant size?
Wonderful Foundations's median grant in 2024 was $16,500, and its average grant was $23,647, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Wonderful Foundations give grants?
Wonderful Foundations's top state is Florida, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (26%) and Arizona (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were Coolidge, AZ (2 grants).
Does Wonderful Foundations give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of Wonderful Foundations's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Wonderful Foundations's largest grantees?
Wonderful Foundations's largest 2024 grantees include Wayne Preparatory Academy Charter School Inc ($60,965), Imagine School at Town Center LLC ($57,800) and Richmond Charter Academy ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Wonderful Foundations?
Wonderful Foundations reported $226.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $14.9M.
What does Wonderful Foundations fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to create incredible foundations for learning that can uplift kids’ lives.” Its website says it funds program and capital needs at partner schools, while its 2024 filing describes capital improvements to charter school buildings and grants for innovative programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wonderful Foundations?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wonderful Foundations's EIN?
Wonderful Foundations's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2252772. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Wonderful Foundations accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wonderful Foundations's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Pearle and Glen Foundation
San Bernardino, CA
The Pearle and Glen Foundation supports charitable organizations, including community recreation and education programs, schools, and other local services. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000, and went mainly to recipients in Iowa and California, as well as Arizona and Kansas. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
14
Total Given
$237K
BHHS Legacy Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
BHHS Legacy Foundation funds community-level health and quality-of-life needs, including healthcare access, community health, healthcare workforce development, and basic needs, in central and western metropolitan Phoenix and the Greater Tri-State area around western Mohave County. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $266,750, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited full applications: prospective applicants should first discuss a proposal with a foundation vice president, and a letter of inquiry is submitted only if requested.
Assets
$151.1M
Grants
107
Total Given
$4.1M
Lead Liberated
Oakland, CA
Through coaching and group facilitation, leaders of color heal from racism, develop skills to identify & interrupt racism in personal leadership, organizational practices & policies, and produce antiracist solutions in partnership with community.
Assets
$764K
Grants
1
Total Given
$27K
State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia Inc
Atlanta, GA
The foundation funds Georgia state charter schools through startup, expansion, and replication grants, along with training, technical assistance, and educational programs. In 2025, grants ranged from $20,059 to $613,052, with a median of $75,044. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$699K
Grants
11
Total Given
$1.7M
Imagine Schools Non-Profit Inc
Vienna, VA
Imagine Schools Non-Profit's vision is for every child to reach his or her full potential and discover pathways for life-long success. As a national family of public charter school campuses, Imagine Schools Non-Profit's misssion is to partner with parents and guardians in the education of their children by providing high quality schools that prepare students for lives of leadership, acccomplishment, and exemplary character. Imagine Schools Non-Profit pursues its mission utilizing the following objectives: create choice for parents and students within the public school system. Emphasize academic exellence and character development as the essential elements of life-long success. Encourage innovative teaching practices that individualize learning according to the needs of each student. Provide a system of accountability for results in public education (I.e imagine schools measures of excellence). Support principals, teachers, and school staff as the front-line leaders and decision-makers,
Assets
$175.9M
Grants
3
Total Given
$841K
Trellis
Oakland, CA
Assets
—
Grants
5
Total Given
$157K
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wonderful Foundations funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wonderful-foundations-morg_84d29897fb2a48f28ff5309aaebc0c7c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_832252772_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wonderful Foundations funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wonderful-foundations-morg_84d29897fb2a48f28ff5309aaebc0c7c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Wonderful Foundations'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.
Wonderful Foundations down — hundreds of funders to go?