Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $2,061,967 (tax year 2023, from 990-PF "Contributions, gifts, grants paid")
- Geographic Focus: Vermont (particularly Lake Champlain watershed), plus communities where Phish tours (national). The foundation operates two main programmes: Vermont-based grants focusing on Lake Champlain environmental issues, and the Touring Division supporting nonprofits in each city where Phish performs.
- Application Method: No public application process (invitation-only/trustee-selected)
- Total Assets: $16,407,951 (tax year 2023)
Contact Details
- Website: https://www.waterwheelfoundation.org
- Email: ww@phish.com
- Address: PO Box 4400, Burlington, VT 05406-4400
Funding Priorities
- Environmental protection, particularly Lake Champlain watershed cleanup and land conservation
- Social justice initiatives
- Food insecurity and food access programmes (food banks, urban gardening)
- Music education
- Voter registration
- Support for women and children, homeless populations, and others in need
- Emergency disaster relief (such as flood recovery)
Recent Grant Pattern
Based on most recent 990-PF grant records and public announcements, grants have supported:
- Vermont-based organisations: Focus on Lake Champlain environmental issues (ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain received $105,000; The Nature Conservancy of Vermont, National Wildlife Federation)
- Touring Division: Nonprofits in cities where Phish performs, including Tennessee Riverkeeper (Huntsville, AL), Pet Buddies and The Drake House (Alpharetta, GA), Cape Fear River Watch (Wilmington, NC), HeadCount (New York, NY), Edible Schoolyard NYC, SMASH (Seattle), and Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation ($60,000 for flood relief)
- Grant range: Historically from $500 to $150,000+ for major environmental projects
What They Don't Fund
No specific exclusions are publicly stated. The foundation proactively selects organisations rather than accepting unsolicited applications.
Application Process & Timeline
The WaterWheel Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation proactively identifies and selects organisations to support through two main programmes:
- Vermont Programme: Focuses on Lake Champlain watershed and Vermont-based nonprofits
- Touring Division: Selects one nonprofit in each community where Phish tours, with proceeds from merchandise sales donated to that organisation
Organisations interested in being considered may contact the foundation at ww@phish.com, though selection is at the trustees' discretion.
References
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