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F W Bert And Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.4M
Grant Range
$400K - $9.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,400,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $50,173,904 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $400,000 - $9,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Texas (primarily)
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Administration: Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services
Email: grantadministration@wellsfargo.com
Phone: 1-888-235-4351
Location: College Station, TX 77845
EIN: 26-2568303

Overview

The F. W. Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation was established in 2008 following the deaths of Forrest Wesley "Bert" Wheeler (1913-1996) and his wife Mae Dean Wheeler. Bert Wheeler was a successful Houston-area liquor and real estate businessman who owned the 10,600-acre Cooley Ranch on the Navasota River. The foundation holds total assets of over $50 million and distributes approximately $3.4 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation's mission reflects the Wheelers' deep appreciation for nursing care they received later in life, with Donald A. Adam, president and chairman, noting that "Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler believed in the power of education and the critical role that nurses play in health care." The foundation has gained recognition for major gifts including a $9 million contribution to MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2024-2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses primarily on nursing education and healthcare institutions, with grants ranging from substantial scholarship programs to major institutional gifts:

  • Major Institutional Gifts: Up to $9 million (as demonstrated by MD Anderson gift)
  • Recurring Scholarship Programs: $400,000-$550,000 annually
  • Application Method: Invitation only - the foundation no longer accepts unsolicited applications

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Nursing education programs (associate degree, vocational nursing, LVN-transition programs)
  • Nurse leadership development
  • Healthcare institutions providing nursing care
  • Oncology nursing initiatives

Secondary Focus (from mission statement):

  • Education, training, and support for children and adults who are mentally and/or physically handicapped

What They Don't Fund

  • Routine operating needs
  • Ongoing/multi-year operational funding
  • Organizations outside their established relationships
  • Unsolicited applications from new organizations

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • Donald A. Adam - President & Chairman
  • Louis Newman - Secretary/Treasurer
  • Stephanie Adam Malechek - Director
  • Phil Adams - Director
  • Tom Giesenschlag - Director

Administration: The foundation is managed by Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services, which serves as the administrative trustee.

Leadership Philosophy: According to President Donald A. Adam, the foundation honors the Wheelers' values by recognizing "the power of education and the critical role that nurses play in health care." The skilled nurses who cared for the Wheelers in their later years "enhanced their well-being and extended their lives," inspiring the foundation's focus on nursing education and healthcare.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not have a public application process. The Wheeler Foundation's public application system has been converted to an invitation-only process. The foundation makes contributions only to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Organizations with questions may contact Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or 1-888-235-4351, though this does not guarantee consideration for funding.

Historical Application Requirements (when applications were accepted)

When the foundation previously accepted public applications, they operated on a quarterly meeting schedule:

  • Board Meetings: Quarterly in February, May, August, and November
  • Funding Structure: Reimbursement of paid invoices (not advance funding)
  • No Set Dollar Limit: Grants were evaluated individually

Required documentation included:

  • IRS tax determination letter (for private entities)
  • List of governing board members
  • Project budget
  • Financial statements and tax returns for previous two years
  • School district support letter (for educational institutions)

Decision Timeline

Historically, the foundation met quarterly to review applications. Current decision timelines for invited organizations are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

As the foundation now operates on an invitation-only basis, there is no formal reapplication process for organizations not already in their funding portfolio.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only status, organizations cannot directly apply. However, examining their funding patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Alignment with Founders' Values: The foundation prioritizes organizations that honor Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler's appreciation for nursing care and belief in education's transformative power. Projects that demonstrate compassionate care and educational excellence align with their core values.

Established Relationships: The foundation demonstrates loyalty to institutions with which they have ongoing relationships:

  • Blinn College received $1.4 million over five years for nursing scholarships
  • Annual $400,000 gifts to Blinn for multiple consecutive years
  • Multi-year commitments suggest the foundation values proven partnerships

Focus on Nursing Education: Recent major grants have targeted:

  • Student scholarships for nursing programs (associate degree, vocational nursing, LVN-transition)
  • Nurse leadership development and mentoring programs
  • Oncology nursing specialization

Institutional Capacity: The foundation has funded both large teaching hospitals (MD Anderson) and community colleges (Blinn College, University of Houston), suggesting they evaluate institutional capacity to effectively utilize and steward significant gifts.

Geographic Connection: While the foundation is based in College Station, they fund institutions across Texas, with documented grants to College Station area institutions (Blinn College) and Houston-area organizations (MD Anderson, University of Houston).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only funding: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; they identify and select recipients directly
  • Nursing education is paramount: The vast majority of documented grants support nursing education programs, scholarships, and leadership development
  • Significant grant capacity: With assets over $50 million and annual giving of $3.4 million, the foundation can make substantial grants ranging from $400,000 to $9 million
  • Multi-year partnerships preferred: Evidence of recurring annual gifts to institutions like Blinn College suggests they value ongoing relationships
  • Values-driven philanthropy: The foundation honors the Wheelers' personal experiences with compassionate nursing care, making authentic alignment with these values essential
  • Texas focus: All documented grants have gone to Texas institutions, suggesting geographic preference
  • Administrative structure: Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services manages the foundation, which may influence processes and procedures

References

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