Wildflower Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,616,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies by program (known example: $250,000/year multi-year grant)
• Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on major U.S. cities including Miami, New York, Chicago, San Francisco)
• Total Assets: $59.4 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 600 Brickell Ave, Suite 3500, Miami, FL 33131-3090
Phone: (305) 379-9164
Website: No public website
Email: Not publicly available

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Wildflower Foundation Inc was established in 2009 as a private grantmaking foundation based in Miami, Florida. With total assets of approximately $59.4 million and annual grantmaking of $3.6 million (2023), the foundation supports initiatives across arts and culture, education, environment, and human services. The foundation is led by Christine E. Stiefel (President) and Barbara A. Stiefel (Vice President/Director), with Louis Nostro serving as Secretary/Director. All trustees serve without compensation. The foundation awarded 62 grants in 2023, representing 94.2% of total expenses. The foundation maintains a low public profile and operates primarily through trustee discretion rather than a formal public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wildflower Foundation does not operate named grant programs with fixed amounts. Instead, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic priorities.

Known Grant Example:

• Miami Lighthouse for the Blind: $250,000 per year (four-year matching challenge grant ending September 30, 2026) for Music and Tactile Art Programs, including sound engineering, music instruction for adult learners and schoolchildren, and art instruction with supplies

Priority Areas

Based on IRS filings and available documentation, the foundation supports:

• Arts and Culture: Supporting arts education and cultural programming
• Education: Educational initiatives and programs
• Environment: Environmental conservation and related causes
• Human Services: Social service programs and community support

The foundation has supported major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, funding decisions are made based on trustees' interests and established relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Christine E. Stiefel - President
Barbara A. Stiefel - Vice President/Director
Louis Nostro - Secretary/Director

All trustees serve without compensation. Barbara Stiefel is also associated with the separate Barbara A. Stiefel Foundation (EIN 27-0878154), which focuses on conservation, arts and culture, social justice, disaster relief, and health.

The foundation operates with a small governance structure focused on the Stiefel family's philanthropic vision.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Wildflower Foundation does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation that makes grants based on trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications.

Grants are typically awarded to organizations already known to the trustees or identified through the trustees' networks and philanthropic interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's association with the Stiefel family and their presence in Miami's philanthropic community, networking through Miami's charity and gala scene may provide opportunities for indirect connection. However, prospective grantees should note that this foundation maintains an exceptionally low profile and does not encourage unsolicited contact.

Organizations seeking support from private family foundations like Wildflower should focus on:

• Building authentic relationships within Miami's philanthropic community
• Ensuring alignment with the foundation's documented areas of interest (arts, education, environment, human services)
• Demonstrating impact in major U.S. metropolitan areas where the foundation has shown interest

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, decision timelines vary based on trustee meetings and internal processes.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Wildflower Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns:

• Geographic presence: The foundation has supported organizations in major U.S. cities, particularly Miami, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco
• Program alignment: Focus areas include arts and culture, education, environment, and human services
• Multi-year commitment capability: The Miami Lighthouse grant demonstrates the foundation's willingness to make multi-year commitments to organizations whose work aligns with their interests
• Matching grant structure: The Miami Lighthouse grant includes a matching component, suggesting the foundation values leveraging their giving to encourage additional donor support
• Established organizations: Known grantee The Mushroom Fund and Miami Lighthouse for the Blind suggest the foundation works with established nonprofits

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation operates entirely on trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Low public profile: No website, minimal public information, and limited transparency about grantmaking criteria
• Family foundation structure: Led by the Stiefel family with all trustees serving without compensation
• Significant capacity: With $59.4 million in assets and $3.6 million in annual grantmaking, the foundation has substantial resources
• Broad focus areas: Supports arts and culture, education, environment, and human services across multiple U.S. cities
• Relationship-based grantmaking: Success depends on pre-existing relationships or connections to the trustees' networks
• Miami connections valuable: Foundation based in Miami with strong local presence; networking in Miami's philanthropic community may be beneficial for organizations seeking eventual consideration

References

• Cause IQ. "The Wildflower Foundation | Miami, FL." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-wildflower-foundation,270406313/. Accessed January 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Wildflower Foundation Inc." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/270406313. Accessed January 2026.
• GuideStar Profile. "Wildflower Foundation Inc - GuideStar Profile." https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-0406313. Accessed January 2026.
• Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. "The Wildflower Foundation." https://secure.miamilighthouse.org/WildFlowerFoundation.asp. Accessed January 2026.
• Inside Philanthropy. "Barbara Stiefel Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-s/barbara-stiefel-foundation. Accessed January 2026.
• Grantable. "The Wildflower Foundation Inc | Foundation Profile & Grants." https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-wildflower-foundation-inc-us-foundation-270406313. Accessed January 2026.