The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- This foundation funds by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so it is not one to approach cold with a speculative application.
- Its stated themes are translational biomedical research, medical societies, and work with AAPI and AIAN populations, so fit matters: organisations outside these areas are unlikely to be a good match.
- No geographic focus is stated, so location on its own should not rule a group in or out.
- On size, about 8 in 10 of its 86 grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $250,000, the median grant was $50,000, and half of its 86 grants were $50,000 or less, so a modest request in that range is realistic; a single-programme award such as the Coulter Translational Research Awards can run up to $500,000.
- Only 13% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in the previous two years of filings, so this is not a foundation that simply recycles the same grantees, though its invitation-only process still points to a relationship-led rather than open process.
Overview
The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation is a US private foundation based in Sebastian, FL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation supports groups that are under-resourced, under-represented and under-recognised, using risk capital, seed investment and business guidance to help initiatives and underserved communities realise their potential. Its stated initiatives include academic translational research in biomedical engineering to improve patient care; supporting professional medical societies and academic institutions in sharing expertise and improving standards of care in resource-limited areas; and building capacity among Asian American/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The foundation also describes this community work in terms of citizenship, education, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and philanthropy. Its translational work brings engineers and clinicians together to move promising university inventions towards practical advances in health care.
Themes
- Translational biomedical research
- Medical societies
- AAPI populations
- AIAN populations
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, District of Columbia, Florida, New York and Washington.
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 13% 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 86 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation prioritises groups that are under-resourced, under-represented and under-recognised.
- For translational research, project selection considered unmet clinical need, achievable milestones and the ability to attract follow-on funding.
- For Special Projects, each organisation has a connection with Mr. Coulter and his values.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 16%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 4%
- The largest single recipient received 11% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 13% of grant dollars went to organisations The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 6% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 21 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- National Urban Indian Family Coalition · General Support$750,0002024 tax year
- Iapala · General Support$250,0002024 tax year
- Asian Pacific Institute for Congressional Studies · General Support$200,0002024 tax year
- New American Leaders · General Support$200,0002024 tax year
- AFN Education Fund · General Support$150,0002024 tax year
- South Asian Americans Leading Together · General Support$150,0002024 tax year
- New Venture Fund · General Support$100,0002024 tax year
- First Alaskans Institute · General Support$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Susie Sands — V. Pres., Asian Programs
- Susan Racher — V. Pres., CFO
- Wayne Barlin — V. Pres., General Counsel
- Sue Van — President, CEO
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $6,689,619 | $4,908,001 | $36,945,008 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $7,360,737 | $2,584,895 | $27,623,550 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $6,995,084 | $2,347,500 | $20,824,569 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (305) 559-2991
- Sebastian, FL
- whcf.org
Applying to The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (305) 559-2991
- Sebastian, FL
- whcf.org