Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $3,305,833 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings
- Grant Range: $2,500 - $25,000
- Geographic Focus: United States only
Contact Details
- Website: www.wismerfdn.org
- Phone: Not publicly listed
- Email: Contact through website form
- Address: 6270 Rivo Lakes Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34241-2725
Overview
The Joan M. Wismer Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2001 with total assets of approximately $43.8 million. The foundation annually distributes over $3.3 million in grants, dedicating over 92% of its expenses to charitable disbursements. Based in Sarasota, Florida, the foundation is dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of youth and adults in the United States through strategic support of programs focusing on education and youth development, safety and humanitarian services, medical and scientific research, and culture and the arts.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Standard Grants: $2,500 - $25,000 (multi-year commitments up to 3 years possible)
- Rolling application basis with quarterly board review
Priority Areas
- Education and youth development
- Safety and humanitarian services
- Medical and scientific research
- Culture and the arts
- Collaborative efforts between organizations
- Programs directly serving people
What They Don't Fund
- Animal-related requests
- International projects
- Infrastructure or capital construction
- Food insecurity programs
- Most health and wellness programming
- General fundraising drives
- Endowments
- Organizations primarily reliant on third-party funding
- Organizations in their first three years of 501(c)(3) status
- Individuals, government agencies, or non-charitable organizations
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by two trustees:
- John D. Iskrant, Esq. (Trustee)
- Susan P. Dilday (Trustee)
The foundation operates with a lean structure, with trustees actively involved in grant review and decision-making at quarterly board meetings.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the foundation's online grant application form at www.wismerfdn.org. The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. No letters of inquiry or pre-screening are required. Applicants should:
- Review guidelines and FAQs before applying
- Create an online account to save progress
- Submit all required documents in PDF format
- Ensure documents are letter-sized (8.5" x 11")
Decision Timeline
The board meets quarterly to review pending applications. The foundation attempts to review all pending applications before each meeting agenda closes. Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed.
Success Rates
Success rate information is not publicly available.
Reapplication Policy
Declined applicants must wait until the next calendar year to reapply. Successful grantees may reapply and receive greater consideration based on existing relationships.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's guidelines and FAQs, successful applications should:
- Fall within the $2,500-$25,000 range (applications outside this range may be automatically declined)
- Demonstrate collaborative efforts between organizations
- Show direct service to beneficiaries rather than infrastructure needs
- Not request 100% funding for programs
- Come from organizations with active boards and strong financial management
- Focus on programs with measurable outcomes and clear impact
- Be concise and well-formatted
- Use PDF format for all uploaded documents
The foundation notes that existing grantee relationships receive greater consideration, and trustees advise applicants to "apply for the one with the greatest need" when considering multiple projects.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The foundation has a straightforward online application with no pre-screening requirements
- Grant range is strictly $2,500-$25,000; applications outside this range face automatic decline
- Quarterly review cycle means timing is less critical than for deadline-driven funders
- Strong preference for existing grantees suggests building relationships over time is valuable
- Foundation will not fund 100% of programs, so demonstrate diverse funding sources
- Focus on direct service programs rather than infrastructure or capital needs
- AI tools are acceptable for improving application clarity
References
- Joan M. Wismer Foundation Official Website: www.wismerfdn.org (accessed January 2026)
- Joan M. Wismer Foundation Guidelines: www.wismerfdn.org/guide.html (accessed January 2026)
- Joan M. Wismer Foundation FAQs: www.wismerfdn.org/faqs.html (accessed January 2026)
- Joan M. Wismer Foundation Application Information: www.wismerfdn.org/app.html (accessed January 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Joan M. Wismer Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/233089181 (accessed January 2026)
- GuideStar Profile - Joan M. Wismer Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-3089181 (accessed January 2026)
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