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Wilson Sheehan Foundation

Annual Giving
$11.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,999,027 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $77,368,023 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 77 grants (2024)
  • Average Grant Size: $169,238
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (details provided after submission)
  • Grant Range: Up to $10,000 (streamlined process) to multi-year commitments
  • Geographic Focus: Primary focus on Clark County, OH and Fairfield County, CT; also supports national organizations

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 2012 by Chris and Lorraine (Sheehan) Wilson, the Wilson Sheehan Foundation is a private family foundation with a mission to ensure more people get the opportunity to build a fulfilling life by investing in organizations that help prevent and alleviate poverty. The foundation focuses specifically on education, economic mobility, and supporting thriving families and children. With assets exceeding $77 million and annual giving approaching $11 million, the foundation awarded 77 grants in 2024. In 2023, the foundation underwent a strategic refinement to clarify their investment criteria after a decade of giving. Notable achievements include a $15 million endowment gift to the University of Notre Dame's Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) and recognition with the Spirit of Cristo Rey Award for their commitment to college access for underserved students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers two application pathways:

  • Streamlined Process: For grants up to $10,000 (less extensive documentation required)
  • First-Time Applicant Process: For grants exceeding $10,000 (full application with comprehensive documentation)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis through online grant management software; no fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

What They Fund:

  • Organizations preventing and alleviating poverty
  • Education initiatives and college access programs
  • Economic mobility and workforce development programs
  • Initiatives supporting thriving families and children
  • Programs with innovative, replicable, and research-supported approaches
  • Organizations with proven leadership capacity to achieve results

Geographic Priorities:

  • Clark County, OH and surrounding areas (local focus)
  • Fairfield County, CT
  • National organizations working in their focus areas

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not fund:

  • Individual scholarships or grants to individuals
  • Mass funding appeals
  • Sponsorships or advertising for fundraising events
  • Emergency relief
  • Non-domestic/international projects
  • Political campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Trustees:

  • Chris Wilson: Co-founder; worked at Stonehill Capital for nearly 30 years; serves on the University of Notre Dame's Lab for Economic Opportunities board
  • Lorraine (Sheehan) Wilson: Co-founder; CPA; serves on St. Mary's College Board of Trustees

Leadership Team:

  • Maureen (Sheehan) Massaro: Executive Director; previously served as Associate VP of HR and Special Assistant to the President at Wittenberg University; founding member of Professional Women of Clark County
  • Andrea (Massaro) O'Connor: Director of Grants Management

Founding Philosophy:

As stated by the founders: "We've always believed if you can help others, you should. We built the Foundation because when we were able to help others in bigger ways, we wanted to do it responsibly."

The foundation describes itself as "curious and committed," emphasizing that they "ask hard questions and rigorously study results" while also embracing "both the success and failure that's part of learning, valuing trust and transparency above all."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
  • Must align with the foundation's mission and priorities
  • Domestic organizations only

Application Process (3 Steps):

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Submit online through the foundation's grant management software. First-time applicants must create an account on the grant portal.

  2. Review and Invitation: Foundation staff review all LOIs to determine alignment with eligibility criteria and mission. Organizations demonstrating strong fit will be invited to complete a full application.

  3. Final Decision: Foundation reviews full applications and makes funding decisions.

Required Documents:

  • Financial statement (preferably audited)
  • Project budget and organizational annual budget
  • Most recent IRS Form 990 filing
  • Previous grant annual report (for returning grantees only)

Application Types:

  • Streamlined Application: For grants ≤ $10,000
  • First-Time Applicant Application: For grants > $10,000

Important Note: The foundation states that "the vast majority of our investments are sourced through trusted advisors and personal contacts," though they do accept unsolicited applications through their online portal.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis
  • No specific submission deadlines
  • Upon submission, applicants receive an automated email with details about the review timeline
  • Specific timeframes are not publicly disclosed but are communicated to applicants after submission

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation made 77 awards in 2024 out of the applications received, suggesting selective grantmaking. The foundation's emphasis on sourcing most investments through trusted advisors and personal contacts indicates that unsolicited applications may face more competition.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. For specific guidance on reapplying after a declined application, contact the foundation directly at info@wilsonsheehan.org.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Strong Organizational Leadership The foundation explicitly states they "invest in people—the most committed, passionate and talented leaders." They believe an organization's success is directly related to leadership quality. Applications should highlight:

  • Executive director and leadership team qualifications and track record
  • Board composition and governance strength
  • Organizational capacity to manage funds effectively

2. Proven Capacity and Results The foundation seeks "organizations whose leadership has proven capacity to effectively steward funds and achieve results." Successful applicants should:

  • Provide evidence of past program outcomes and impact metrics
  • Demonstrate financial sustainability and sound fiscal management
  • Show track record of achieving stated goals

3. Innovation and Research-Based Approaches The foundation prioritizes organizations that are "innovative, replicable and supported by research." Applications should:

  • Reference evidence-based practices or research supporting the approach
  • Demonstrate innovative solutions to poverty alleviation
  • Show potential for program replication or scaling

4. Clear Alignment with Poverty Alleviation Applications must demonstrate how the program directly prevents or alleviates poverty through:

  • Education and skill development
  • Economic mobility and workforce pathways
  • Support for families and children

5. Values Alignment The foundation values "trust and transparency" and organizations that embrace both success and failure as part of learning. Applications should:

  • Demonstrate commitment to evaluation and learning
  • Show willingness to share both successes and challenges
  • Align with the foundation's curious and questioning approach

Recent Grantee Examples:

  • Per Scholas: Workforce development and tech training
  • Bottom Line: College access and success coaching
  • University of Notre Dame's Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO): Research and evaluation of poverty interventions
  • Cristo Rey Network: College-going support for underserved students
  • Wendy's Wonderful Kids: Child welfare recruitment
  • James E. Sheehan Health Bus: Primary healthcare for underserved neighborhoods in Springfield, OH

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Leadership matters most: The foundation invests in people first. Dedicate significant space in your application to showcasing your leadership team's qualifications, vision, and track record of results.

  • Evidence is essential: This foundation values rigorous evaluation and research. Include data, outcomes metrics, and research supporting your approach. Be prepared to measure and report on results.

  • Relationship building helps significantly: With most investments sourced through trusted advisors and personal contacts, building relationships with the foundation before applying can substantially improve success odds. Consider attending events where foundation leadership might be present.

  • Two geographic sweet spots: Organizations in Clark County, OH or Fairfield County, CT appear to receive priority consideration alongside strong national organizations.

  • Direct poverty connection required: Clearly articulate how your program specifically prevents or alleviates poverty—the connection must be explicit and central to your mission.

  • Embrace transparency: The foundation values organizations that are honest about both successes and failures. Don't oversell—demonstrate a learning orientation and willingness to adapt based on results.

  • Consider the streamlined track: If requesting $10,000 or less, the streamlined application process offers a lower barrier to entry and could be a strategic way to build a relationship with the foundation before requesting larger grants.

References

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