W.P. & H.B. White Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,831,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $29.6 million (2024)
• Number of Grants: 132 (2023)
• Average Grant: ~$21,447
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (quarterly board meetings)
• Geographic Focus: Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois
• Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation
• EIN: 36-2601558

Contact Details

Address: 540 Frontage Road, Suite 3240, Northfield, Illinois 60093

Phone: 847-446-1441

Website: www.wpandhbwhitefoundation.org

Contact Person: Steven R. White, President and Executive Director

Application Method: Online application form available on website

Overview

The W.P. & H.B. White Foundation was founded in 1953 by William P. White and has been operating as a private foundation since receiving tax-exempt status in April 1955. The foundation provides funding to organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area that contribute to the future good of society, primarily in the areas of education, health, housing, and human services, with an emphasis on helping those most in need.

The foundation has been continuously led by members of the White family: William P. White (Founder, 1953-1973), Roger B. White (1973-2008), and Steven R. White (2008-present). With total assets of $29.6 million as of 2024 and annual charitable disbursements of $3.6 million, the foundation maintains a consistent commitment to supporting Illinois charities through both general operating support and program-specific grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants on a quarterly basis through a competitive application process. In 2023, they made 132 grants totaling $2,831,000, with an average grant size of approximately $21,447.

Grant Types:

• General operating expenses
• Specific program funding
• Not eligible: Visual and performing arts, individuals, endowments, fundraising events

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on organizations serving the Chicago metropolitan area in the following areas:

Primary Focus Areas:

• Education: Supporting educational initiatives and institutions
• Health: Healthcare services and programs
• Housing: Affordable housing and homelessness prevention
• Human Services: Social services with emphasis on helping those most in need

Geographic Scope: Grants are basically limited to Illinois charities, with primary focus on the Chicago metropolitan area.

What They Don't Fund

• Visual and performing arts
• Individuals
• Endowments
• Fundraising events

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers (2024):

• Steven R. White - President and Executive Director (full-time)

  • Compensation: $202,053

• Philip O'c White - Vice President/Treasurer

  • Compensation: $170,000

• John J. McCortney - Secretary

  • Compensation: $20,000

• William P. White III - Director

  • Compensation: $20,000

• Anne Marie Tirpak - Director

  • Compensation: $10,000

The foundation's leadership maintains a family-oriented governance structure with deep roots in the Chicago community, now in its third generation of White family leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications through an online grant application form available on their website at www.wpandhbwhitefoundation.org.

Required Attachments:

• History of the organization
• Purpose and beneficiaries of the request
• Organizational budget (and project budget if applicable)
• Verification of federal tax-exempt status (501(c)(3))
• List of Board of Directors
• List of corporate/foundation contributions
• Latest audited financial statement
• Signed Disclosure Statement (added in 2025)

Application Deadlines: Proposals must be submitted by the 15th day of the first month of each quarter:

• January 15 (for March board meeting review)
• April 15 (for June board meeting review)
• July 15 (for September board meeting review)
• October 15 (for December board meeting review)

Decision Timeline

The Board meets quarterly (March, June, September, and December) to review grant proposals. Organizations can expect a decision approximately 2-3 months after the submission deadline.

Notification: Applicants are notified of the board's decision following the quarterly meeting. Organizations may email subsequent information to the foundation as needed.

Success Rates

While the foundation does not publicly disclose the total number of applications received, they made 132 grants in 2023, 130 in 2022, 119 in 2021, and 124 in 2020, demonstrating consistent grant-making activity.

Important Note: The foundation acknowledges that due to resource limitations, they can only fund a selection of proposals. Selection does not reflect on the merits of those not given support.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has not publicly disclosed a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations interested in reapplying after a declined proposal should contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and grant-making patterns, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Clear alignment with priority areas: Strong focus on education, health, housing, or human services serving those most in need in the Chicago metropolitan area

2. Illinois-based operations: Grants are basically limited to Illinois charities, with preference for Chicago metropolitan area organizations

3. Comprehensive documentation: Applications must include all required attachments, including audited financial statements and 501(c)(3) verification

4. Specific program or operating needs: The foundation supports both general operating expenses and specific programs, so applicants should clearly articulate their needs

5. Emphasis on impact for vulnerable populations: The foundation prioritizes organizations "helping those most in need," so demonstrating service to underserved populations is important

6. Timely submission: Proposals must be received by the quarterly deadlines to be considered at the next board meeting

7. Professional presentation: Given the competitive nature of the process (only 132 grants from likely many more applications), well-organized, clear, and compelling proposals are essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Quarterly deadlines are firm: Submit by the 15th of January, April, July, or October to be considered at the next quarterly board meeting 2-3 months later

• Average grant is ~$21,000: With 132 grants totaling $2.8 million in 2023, typical awards are in the $15,000-$25,000 range, though this may vary

• Illinois focus is essential: Grants are limited to Illinois charities; out-of-state organizations are not eligible

• Both operating and project support available: Unlike some foundations that only fund specific projects, this foundation supports general operating expenses as well as program-specific requests

• Complete applications required: Missing documentation (especially audited financials and the signed Disclosure Statement) may disqualify your proposal

• Human services emphasis: While they fund education and health, the foundation shows particular interest in organizations serving those most in need through human services and housing programs

• No arts funding: Visual and performing arts organizations are explicitly excluded from consideration

• Family-led foundation with deep Chicago roots: Understanding the foundation's 70+ year history in the Chicago community may help contextualize alignment with their mission

References

• W.P. & H.B. White Foundation official website: www.wpandhbwhitefoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 filings for W P & H B White Foundation (EIN 36-2601558): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362601558 (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ - W.P. & H.B. White Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/wp-hb-white-foundation,362601558/ (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl - W P & H B White Foundation 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/w-p-h-b-white-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - W. P. & H. B. White Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-2601558 (accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - W. P. & H. B. White Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=WHIT006 (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - W P & H B White Foundation profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/362601558-w-p-and-h-b-white-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)