Winifred Stevens Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9.5 million (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: Varies widely (median $48,000)
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S.) with some international projects

Contact Details

The foundation does not have a public website or published contact information. The foundation is based in Tempe, Arizona.

Application Policy: The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

Founded in 2016, the Winifred Stevens Foundation is a private family foundation based in Tempe, Arizona, with assets of approximately $201 million and annual distributions of $9.5 million. The foundation made 122 grants in 2024, with a median grant size of $48,000. The foundation's mission "reflects our Seventh-day Adventist roots by advancing spiritual, physical and emotional well-being that instills honor and value in God's creation." The foundation is managed by the Spady family and supports compassionate leadership efforts, prioritizing innovation, effectiveness, and relationship in its grantmaking. The foundation operates as a traditional family foundation with grants awarded at trustee discretion to organizations selected by the board.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with public application processes. All grants are awarded to preselected organizations chosen by the board of trustees.

Grant Distribution (2024):

• Total Grants: 122
• Median Grant: $48,000
• Average Grant: Approximately $73,000
• Total Distributed: $9.5 million

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's mission statement and known grant recipients, priority areas include:

• Seventh-day Adventist Church and Related Organizations: Primary focus area, supporting churches, ministries, and affiliated institutions
• Health Ministries: Supporting health-related programs and services
• Education: Including Seventh-day Adventist schools and universities such as Walla Walla University
• Global Missions: International humanitarian and missionary efforts, particularly in Asia, Africa, and South America
• Youth Scholarships: Supporting students, including single-parent scholarship programs
• Environmental Conservation: Organizations such as Sea Shepherd and Friends of the Earth
• Humanitarian Efforts: Including Adventist Development and Relief Agency International and Liberty in North Korea

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no published list of exclusions. However, given the foundation's explicit Seventh-day Adventist mission, organizations outside of this faith tradition or without clear alignment to the foundation's values are unlikely to be considered.

Governance and Leadership

The Winifred Stevens Foundation is managed by the Spady family:

• Linda Spady, President (5 hours/week, uncompensated)
• Jeff Spady, Treasurer (3 hours/week, $7,500 annual compensation)
• Savannah Stevens, Secretary (3 hours/week, $7,500 annual compensation)
• Heidi Spady, Board Member (2 hours/week, $5,000 annual compensation)
• Ellis Carter, Assistant Secretary

The foundation operates with minimal staffing, with board members dedicating limited hours per week to foundation business, consistent with a family foundation model where grantmaking decisions are made through trustee discretion.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with the board selecting organizations that align with the foundation's Seventh-day Adventist mission and values. The foundation supports organizations with which it has pre-existing relationships or connections through board members and their networks.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation does not operate on an application cycle. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable. No public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Organizations cannot apply or reapply as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no traditional application process. However, analyzing the foundation's grantmaking patterns reveals the following characteristics of organizations that receive support:

Mission Alignment: The foundation's mission explicitly "reflects our Seventh-day Adventist roots by advancing spiritual, physical and emotional well-being that instills honor and value in God's creation." Organizations receiving grants demonstrate clear alignment with Seventh-day Adventist values and faith-based service.

Known Grant Recipients: The foundation has supported a diverse range of organizations including:

• California Community Foundation (largest single grant: $1,820,000)
• Adventist Development and Relief Agency International
• Walla Walla University
• Liberty in North Korea
• Sea Shepherd
• Friends of the Earth

Priority on Relationship: The foundation's materials indicate they "seek opportunities that prioritize innovation, effectiveness and relationship," suggesting that pre-existing connections and demonstrated partnership capacity are important factors.

Geographic Diversity: While U.S.-based, the foundation supports international humanitarian projects, particularly in Asia, Africa, and South America, indicating a global perspective on mission work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. All funding goes to preselected organizations chosen by the board.
• Seventh-day Adventist Focus: The foundation's mission is explicitly rooted in Seventh-day Adventist faith and values. Organizations outside this tradition are unlikely to receive funding unless they align with the foundation's core mission.
• Family Foundation Model: Operated by the Spady family with limited staff time, indicating a highly personal and relationship-driven approach to philanthropy.
• Substantial Assets: With $201 million in assets and $9.5 million in annual giving, this is a significant funder within its areas of focus.
• Diverse Grant Sizes: While the median grant is $48,000, the foundation has made grants as large as $1.8 million, indicating flexibility in funding levels for the right opportunities.
• Relationship-Driven: The foundation prioritizes "relationship" in its approach, suggesting that proximity to board members or existing organizational connections are key to receiving support.
• Not a Prospect for Most Organizations: Unless your organization has Seventh-day Adventist connections or has been specifically identified by the foundation, this is not a viable funding prospect.

References

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Winifred Stevens Foundation. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/475488504-winifred-stevens-foundation/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Winifred Stevens Foundation (EIN 47-5488504). Accessed January 21, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/475488504
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Winifred Stevens Foundation. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/winifred-stevens-foundation
• Charity Navigator Profile - Winifred Stevens Foundation. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/475488504
• Cause IQ - Winifred Stevens Foundation. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/winifred-stevens-foundation,475488504/
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid) - Winifred I Stevens Foundation. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=STEV058