Woodward Hines Education Foundation
The Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF) is a Jackson, Mississippi-based public charity that works to expand equitable access to postsecondary education and help more Mississippians complete credentials that lead to meaningful employment. Its work includes grantmaking, student services, policy partnerships, and research and learning.
Woodward Hines Education Foundation at a glance
In short: Woodward Hines Education Foundation gave $1.0M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $74K), mostly in Mississippi. 57% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,041,808
- -11.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $74,415
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $225,111,352
- +5.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 57% first-time grantees (8 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Woodward Hines Education Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
Proposals are accepted by invitation only. Organizations whose work aligns with WHEF’s funding priorities may contact the foundation to share more. Invited applicants receive access to an online application system, review eligibility requirements, and submit a full application. WHEF assesses alignment with its focus areas, potential to increase postsecondary access and attainment, impact and sustainability, organizational capacity, partnerships, and eligibility. Grantees provide scheduled quantitative and qualitative reports, and WHEF staff conduct site visits during the proposal stage and funding period.
- Review Cycle
- Invitations and grant decisions are handled on a rolling basis, with grants typically awarded quarterly. WHEF says staff provide application status and next steps within 30 days of submission.
- Deadline
- Invitations and grant decisions are handled on a rolling basis, with grants typically awarded quarterly.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 5008, Jackson, MS 39296-5008
Phone: (601) 321-5555
Website: https://woodwardhines.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Woodward Hines Education Foundation
FirstGen Forward - College Completion Grant
Woodward Hines Education Foundation
Amount
$1,500,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
MCHEP (Mississippi Consortium for Higher Education in Prison) - Mellon Foundation Grant
Listed byWoodward Hines Education Foundation
Amount
$1,000,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Public Education Forum - Ascent to 55% Postsecondary Attainment Grant
Woodward Hines Education Foundation
Amount
$1,000,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Woodward Hines Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Propel Education Forum of Mississippi Inc ($250K). Together the top 10 received $934K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 71 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WHEF’s stated mission and grantmaking include a focus on Mississippi. In filing year 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Mississippi and 5% to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Woodward Hines Education Foundation open to new grantees?
57%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 14 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $75K; repeat grants $73K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $752K (2021) to $1.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Propel Education Forum of Mississippi Inc Jackson, MS | To identify a Mississippi-based organization to coordinate the work needed for the State to reach the Ascent to 55% statewide attainment goal | $250,000 |
| Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi (CFNM) on behalf of Global Te aching Project Forest, MS | To expand access to rigorous STEM coursework, which is not currently available in rural, low-income schools, and raise student achievement throughout the state of Mississippi, particularly the Delta | $170,200 |
| Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, MS | To support student success through professional development and data fluency | $133,774 |
| Itawamba Community College Foundation Inc Fulton, MS | To increase retention and persistence efforts for African American males at Belden, Tupelo and Fulton campuses | $80,000 |
| The Parent's Campaign Jackson, MS | To ensure a P-12 system that prepares Mississippi children to exit secondary school with the skills needed to thrive in college and/or career | $50,000 |
| Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy Jackson, MS | To support the general operations of the Alliance as it serves the needs of the philanthropic sector in the state of Mississippi | $50,000 |
| Mississippi State University Foundation Mississippi State, MS | To provide personnel support for diversity programming, recruiting and retention | $50,000 |
| MB Swayze Educational Foundation Jackson, MS | To develop on-going work for creating education opportunities for Mississippians | $50,000 |
| NCAN National #DoTheFAFSA Social Media Campaign Washington, DC | To increase the number of students completing the FAFSA | $50,000 |
| Children's Foundation of Mississippi Jackson, MS | To help determine needed supports for youth eligible to participate in the FAITH ACT scholarship program | $49,971 |
Ready to take the next step with Woodward Hines Education Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing type: Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $225,111,352 | $5,858,250 | $8,784,059 | $1,041,808 | 14 | $2,226,915 |
| 2023 | $213,624,016 | $2,725,028 | $7,830,632 | $1,175,745 | 16 | $389,679 |
| 2022 | $202,416,655 | $705,522 | $7,323,373 | $1,144,312 | 15 | $-1,132,459 |
| 2021 | $222,031,290 | $28,726,652 | $6,595,294 | $751,520 | 14 | $27,280,502 |
| 2020 | $185,809,588 | $1,863,940 | $5,957,577 | $775,626 | 12 | $315,546 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
WHEF’s mission is to expand equitable access to and completion of postsecondary credentials, certificates, and degrees that lead to meaningful employment for more Mississippians.
Its grantmaking focuses on access and entry to postsecondary education, persistence and completion, and connections between education and family-sustaining work. The foundation says it supports work such as college advising and financial-aid access, improving course completion and credit accumulation, transfer pathways, and partnerships that connect education with workforce needs. Its grantmaking is guided by Mississippi’s Ascent to 55% attainment goal.
The 2024 grants illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Itawamba Community College Foundation received funding for efforts to improve retention and persistence for African American male students; the foundation describes itself as supporting a state-supported two-year college. The Parents’ Campaign received support for work toward a P-12 system that prepares students for college or careers; the grantee describes its work as coaching parent and community advocates and providing public-education policy research. Children’s Foundation of Mississippi received support related to the FAITH ACT scholarship program; it describes its mission as improving children’s well-being through systems and services. Jackson Medical Mall Foundation received support for student success and college and career readiness; it describes its work as leasing space for education and medical care while fostering care for underserved people and community development.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, WHEF reported 14 grants totaling $1,041,808. Grants ranged from $11,500 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards included $250,000 to Propel Education Forum of Mississippi to identify a Mississippi-based organization to coordinate work toward the state’s Ascent to 55% goal; $170,200 to Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi on behalf of Global Teaching Project for rural STEM coursework and student achievement; and $133,774 to Coahoma Community College for student-success professional development and data fluency. Other reported awards included $80,000 to Itawamba Community College Foundation and $50,000 to The Parents’ Campaign.
WHEF describes grantmaking as a partnership, with technical assistance, shared learning among grantees, and collaboration on solutions. It says there is no minimum or maximum award amount, most organizations receive one grant per year, and multi-year funding may be considered for requests aligned with its strategies. General operating support may be considered when an organization’s mission directly supports postsecondary access, completion, and workforce relevance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nathan Slater as Board Chair and Debra McGee as Board Vice Chair. Other listed board members were Camille Young, Carla Kirkland, Cedric Bradley, David Martin, Eddie Carlisle, Errick Simmons, Haley Fisackerly, and Andrew Mullins. The filing identifies Andrew Mullins and Eddie Carlisle as serving through May 28, 2024, and Carla Kirkland and Errick Simmons as beginning May 28, 2024.
Woodward Hines Education Foundation is led by James E. McHale, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; all 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James E. McHale
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$254K (2020) → $294K (2024)
Nathan Slater
Board Member & Board Chair
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Board Member & Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Morgan Miller
Director of Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024)
Andrew Mullins
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Camille Young
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $2K (2024)
David Martin
Board Member
Board Chair → Director, 2021
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$7K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Debra McGee
Board Member & Board Vice Chair
Director → Board Vice Chair, 2023
Board Vice Chair → Board Member & Board Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Haley Fisackerly
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2024)
John F. Hill
Board Member
Board Chair → Director, 2023
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$6K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Minette D. Ketchings
COO & Secretary
Director of Operations & Controller → COO & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $167K (2024)
Robert Leard
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$6K (2020) → $7K (2024)
William F. Alvis
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$185K (2020) → $206K (2024)
Michael Cormack Jr.
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $6K (2024)
Cedric Bradley
Board Member
Director & Begin → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$4K (2023) → $7K (2024)
Carla Kirkland
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Eddie Carlisle
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$2K (2024)
Errick Simmons
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Mike Highfield
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2024)
Shanell Watson
Chief of Staff
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Edward Carlisle (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Ann Hendrick (2020–2021) — Director of Get2college Di
- Former: W. Stan Pratt (2020–2021) — Director · Filing note: Ended 52521
- Former: Regina Young Hyatt (2021) — Director · Filing note: Ended 11/2021
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 $294K, to James McHale (President/CEO). 19 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Woodward Hines Education Foundation
How much does Woodward Hines Education Foundation give each year?
Woodward Hines Education Foundation gave $1.0M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 16 grants.
What is Woodward Hines Education Foundation's typical grant size?
Woodward Hines Education Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $74,415, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Woodward Hines Education Foundation that year got $75K on average.
Where does Woodward Hines Education Foundation give grants?
Woodward Hines Education Foundation gives mostly in Mississippi: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, MS (9 grants).
Does Woodward Hines Education Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Woodward Hines Education Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Woodward Hines Education Foundation's largest grantees?
Woodward Hines Education Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Propel Education Forum of Mississippi Inc ($250,000), Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi (CFNM) on behalf of Global Te aching Project ($170,200) and Coahoma Community College ($133,774), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Woodward Hines Education Foundation?
Woodward Hines Education Foundation reported $225.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.9M.
What does Woodward Hines Education Foundation fund?
WHEF’s mission is to expand equitable access to and completion of postsecondary credentials, certificates, and degrees that lead to meaningful employment for more Mississippians. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Woodward Hines Education Foundation?
Proposals are accepted by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Woodward Hines Education Foundation's EIN?
Woodward Hines Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0860939. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Woodward Hines Education Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Woodward Hines Education Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Woodward Hines Education Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/woodward-hines-education-foundation-morg_afa92540ccbe45349f06e7cd214b5388
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_640860939_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Woodward Hines Education Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/woodward-hines-education-foundation-morg_afa92540ccbe45349f06e7cd214b5388},
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 Woodward Hines Education 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.
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