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Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation Ltd

Annual Giving
$4.8M
Grant Range
$5K - $10.0M

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation Ltd

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,832,456 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 67 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $10,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Wisconsin, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, Montana, California (primarily near Ashley Furniture manufacturing facilities)
  • Application Method: Mixed - invitation/preselected for general grants; open application for scholarships and STEM donation requests

Contact Details

Foundation Contact:

Administrative Office:

  • Address: 1600 E 8th Avenue Suite A208, Tampa, FL 33605
  • Phone: 813-515-4566

Overview

The Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation, Inc. was established in 1988 (originally in Wisconsin, 1998 in current form) by Ronald Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC, and his wife, Joyce. The foundation is committed to supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education and other community initiatives. With annual giving of approximately $4.8 million distributed across 67 awards in 2023, the foundation focuses on workforce development, educational advancement, and medical research. Since 1997, the foundation has invested over $4 million in more than 2,100 student scholarships. The foundation has received recognition through Ronald Wanek's 2022 Horatio Alger Award, which honors distinguished Americans who have achieved remarkable success despite challenging beginnings and who are committed to philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

STEM Donation Request Program

  • Supports K-12 schools, vocational schools, community/technical colleges, and select state universities
  • Focus: Enhancement of technical education programming in advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, robotics, skilled trades, transportation, and artificial intelligence
  • Application: Online form available at foundation website
  • Typical awards: Varies widely (historical robotics grants: $226,000+ annually)

Scholarship Application Program

  • Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per student
  • Annual Distribution: Over $470,000 to 139+ students (2024-2025)
  • Eligibility: High school seniors pursuing degrees in Automation, Engineering, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Design, and related STEM fields
  • Geographic Focus: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Montana, and California
  • Application: Open application process through foundation website

VEX Robotics Education Grants

  • Annual Distribution: $226,000+ for 2023-2024 school year
  • Total Since 2017: Over $891,000 in robotics education support
  • Target: K-12 and post-secondary schools near Ashley manufacturing facilities
  • Selection Criteria: Schools evaluated on strategies for incorporating VEX Robotics equipment and curriculum into classrooms and/or extracurricular competition programs

Major Institutional Grants

  • Large-scale equipment donations and unrestricted grants to universities
  • Examples: $10 million to High Point University, $3.1 million equipment donation to UW-Stout
  • Method: Invitation only

Priority Areas

Education & Workforce Development:

  • STEM curriculum and equipment enhancement
  • Robotics programs (VEX Robotics partnership)
  • Advanced manufacturing education
  • Scholarship support for students in technical fields
  • Post-secondary education infrastructure

Medical Research:

  • Type 1 Diabetes research (notably $50 million to City of Hope)
  • Heart disease research (Mayo Clinic support)

Community Initiatives:

  • Veterans support (e.g., $50,000 to Helping a Hero for adapted homes)
  • Arts and culture programs
  • Children and families charities

Military Recognition:

  • Soldier's Walk at Memorial Park in Arcadia, Wisconsin (established 1990, ongoing support)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" for general grants outside of their scholarship and STEM donation programs. This suggests limited funding for:

  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Causes unrelated to STEM education, medical research, veterans, or arts
  • General operating support for organizations without a connection to Ashley Furniture facilities or the foundation's strategic priorities

Governance and Leadership

Ronald G. Wanek - Founder and Chairman Ronald Wanek founded Ashley Furniture Industries and has built it into one of the world's largest furniture manufacturers. His philanthropic philosophy emphasizes education and workforce development.

Key Quote: "I understand the important role education plays in changing the trajectory of one's life, but I also know what it feels like to not be able to attend college due to rising costs."

On Strategic Partnerships: "Our partnership with UW-Stout represents a strategic investment in the future of STEM education. By providing students with access to industry-standard equipment and technology, we are ensuring they graduate with the practical skills and technical expertise that today's employers require. UW-Stout's polytechnic mission aligns with our commitment to developing a skilled workforce."

Joyce Wanek - Co-Founder

The foundation is administered through Ashley Furniture Industries, with Robert Forsythe serving as a key contact for foundation matters.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For STEM Donation Requests (Equipment/Programming Grants):

The foundation operates a formal application process for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations seeking STEM education support:

  • Eligibility: K-12 schools, vocational schools, community/technical colleges, and state universities in Wisconsin, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and near Winona, MN
  • Geographic Requirements:
    • Must be within 60-mile radius of: Arcadia, WI; Ecru and Ripley, MS; Advance, NC
    • Must be within 25-mile radius of: Leesport, PA; Mesquite, TX
  • Application Method: Online form at https://form.jotform.com/240745276885166
  • Required Documentation:
    • IRS determination letter (tax-exempt documentation)
    • Mission statement and vision
    • Strategic plan details
    • Leadership information
    • Specific donation request and justification
    • Financial stability documentation
    • Program sustainability plan
    • Business/industry connection efforts
    • Organizational accomplishments and metrics

Important Note: The form states it is "only to be considered as an initial step for further consideration by our organization," indicating a multi-stage review process.

For Scholarships:

For Other Grants:

The foundation indicates it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds" for grants outside the STEM donation and scholarship programs. Major institutional gifts and other charitable grants are made at the discretion of foundation leadership.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Based on the annual nature of robotics grants and scholarship programs, decisions for STEM education grants appear to be made on an annual cycle aligned with the academic year.

Success Rates

  • STEM Grants: 67 total awards made in 2023 from foundation's overall grant portfolio
  • Scholarships: 139 students received scholarships from 2024-2025 applicant pool; specific application numbers not disclosed
  • Robotics Grants: Multiple schools funded annually; selection based on "overall strategies for incorporating VEX Robotics equipment and curriculum"

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated for STEM donation requests. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation with questions about reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

For STEM Education Grants:

  1. Geographic Proximity: Schools and institutions within specified radius requirements near Ashley Furniture manufacturing facilities have clear advantages. The foundation explicitly focuses on communities where Ashley operates.

  2. Strategic Alignment: Applications demonstrating how VEX Robotics equipment and curriculum will be incorporated into both classroom learning and extracurricular competition programs perform well. The foundation looks for "overall strategies" that show comprehensive planning.

  3. Workforce Development Connection: Ronald Wanek has emphasized that the foundation seeks to ensure students "graduate with the practical skills and technical expertise that today's employers require." Applications should demonstrate how programs prepare students for employment in advanced manufacturing and related industries.

  4. Program Sustainability: The donation request form requires a "program sustainability plan," indicating the foundation wants to see evidence that their investment will have lasting impact beyond the initial grant period.

  5. Industry Connections: The application requires documentation of "business/industry connection efforts," suggesting the foundation values partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector.

  6. Technical Education Focus: Successful grants have supported "advanced manufacturing learning, Industry 4.0, robotics, skill/trade, transportation, and/or artificial intelligence" - applications should align with these specific technical areas.

Recent Funded Examples:

  • New Albany Middle School (Mississippi): Implemented robotics classes for grades 6-8 and upgraded equipment for Career & Technical Center engineering classes
  • Western Wisconsin schools: Multiple VEX Robotics teams supported, with three teams competing at 2023 World Championship
  • UW-Stout: $3.1 million equipment donation for design, engineering, and education programs

Language and Priorities: The foundation uses terminology like "polytechnic experience," "hands-on STEM learning," "industry-standard equipment," and "workforce leaders" - incorporating similar language demonstrates alignment with their vision.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know Your Geography: Confirm your organization falls within the specified radius requirements (60 miles for Wisconsin/Mississippi/North Carolina locations; 25 miles for Pennsylvania/Texas locations) before applying
  • Emphasize Workforce Development: Frame your request in terms of preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing and technical fields - this aligns directly with Ronald Wanek's stated priorities
  • Demonstrate Comprehensive Strategy: For robotics grants, show how equipment will be used in both classroom curriculum AND extracurricular competition programs
  • Think Long-Term: Include a clear sustainability plan showing how the program will continue beyond the initial grant period
  • Connect to Industry: Highlight existing or planned partnerships with local businesses and manufacturers
  • Use the Right Door: For STEM education support near Ashley facilities, use the formal application process; for other requests, recognize that grants are typically preselected
  • Consider Scholarships: If your organization works with high school students in STEM fields, promote the scholarship program (up to $5,000 per student) as an additional resource

References

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