FW Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation makes grants only to organisations it has already chosen and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application will not be considered, and the filing gives no way to submit one.
- Most of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded in earlier filings, so a new organisation should look for an introduction through people who already know the foundation rather than expect an open door.
- Its giving spans cancer research, nursing scholarships, general funds and new buildings, and the filings show grants mainly in Texas, although no geographic focus is stated.
- Typical grants fall roughly between $25,000 and $700,000, with a median of $100,000 and half of its organisation grants at $100,000 or less, so a modest, specific request is the most realistic size to plan around.
Overview
FW Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation is a US private foundation based in College Station, TX.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Across the recorded grants, the foundation has supported cancer research and nursing scholarships, as well as general funds and new buildings. The recipient organisations include a cancer research centre, colleges, a food bank, ministries, a humane society, a church, a youth organisation, an education foundation and social-service providers. Its giving thus spans research and education as well as support for a varied group of community organisations. All organisation grants in the filings went to Texas. The filings say it contributes only to preselected charitable organisations and do not state further eligibility conditions or a public application route.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Texas.
How to apply
The foundation contributes only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; no way to submit an application is given.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 99% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 30 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 56% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to organisations FW Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 10 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- MD Anderson Cancer Center Research · Cancer research$2,400,0002024 tax year
- Blinn College Foundation · Nursing scholarships$300,0002024 tax year
- Brazos Valley Food Bank · General fund$200,0002024 tax year
- SOS Ministries · General fund$150,0002024 tax year
- Saint Paul's United Methodist Church · General fund$100,0002024 tax year
- Aggieland Humane Society · General fund$100,0002024 tax year
- Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley · New building$50,0002024 tax year
- Scotty's House · General fund$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Tom Giesenschlag — Director
- Phil Adams — Director
- Stephanie Adam Malechek — Director
- Louis Newman — Secretary, Treasurer
- Donald A Adam — President & Chairman
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,396,805 | $3,105,000 | $54,613,705 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,076,130 | $2,800,000 | $61,660,224 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,708,006 | $3,400,000 | $69,076,296 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to FW Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- College Station, TX
Applying to FW Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- College Station, TX