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The Wiggins Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $896,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (Invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (Trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $150,000
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut, Puerto Rico, Maine, and select other states

Contact Details

  • Administrative Services: c/o Foundation Source, 501 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19809
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Website: No public website

Overview

The Wiggins Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1994 in Connecticut and later moved to Delaware. With assets of approximately $20.5 million (2024), the foundation distributes nearly $900,000 annually to charitable causes. Operating as a non-operating private foundation under 501(c)(3) status since 1995, it is managed by the Wiggins family with administrative support from Foundation Source, the nation's largest provider of foundation management services. The foundation has shown significant growth, nearly tripling its assets since 2020, and maintains a high charitable disbursement rate of 95.9% of total expenses. The foundation makes approximately 50-60 grants per year across multiple states and cause areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes discretionary grants ranging from $500 to $150,000 based on trustee selection. No formal grant programs with public applications exist.

Priority Areas

  • Education initiatives across all levels
  • Human services organizations
  • Healthcare services and medical support
  • Community development and needs
  • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking infrastructure
  • Youth and children's programs
  • Some support for faith-based (Christian) organizations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving patterns suggest they do not typically fund:

  • Individual requests
  • International organizations (focus is domestic US)
  • Political or advocacy organizations
  • For-profit ventures

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three family members:

  • Stephen F. Wiggins - President and Director
  • Matthew Maxwell Wiggins - Director
  • Genevieve Rosie Wiggins Antill - Director

All directors serve without compensation, typical of family foundations. The foundation utilizes Foundation Source for professional administrative services, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements while maintaining family control over grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. According to their IRS Form 990-PF filing, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified or with which they have existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's structure and administration through Foundation Source, organizations in their priority areas and geographic regions may consider:

  • Building connections through mutual board members or trustees in the Connecticut, Maine, or Puerto Rico nonprofit communities
  • Participating in regional philanthropic events where Foundation Source clients might network
  • Developing relationships with other organizations the foundation has previously funded
  • Creating visibility for exceptional work in education, healthcare, or human services in their target geographies

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations must be pre-selected by trustees.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates through trustee selection rather than applications, success factors focus on relationship development:

  • Organizations with strong reputations in Connecticut, Puerto Rico, or Maine have geographic advantage
  • Demonstrated excellence in education, healthcare, or human services aligns with their priorities
  • The foundation has shown consistent support for certain organizations over multiple years, suggesting they value long-term partnerships
  • Smaller, community-based organizations receive funding alongside larger institutions, indicating size is not a barrier
  • The foundation's use of Foundation Source suggests professional grant management standards are important

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Wiggins Foundation is a legitimate grant maker distributing nearly $900,000 annually, but operates exclusively through trustee discretion
  • Geographic focus on Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and Maine presents opportunities for organizations in these regions
  • Wide grant range ($500-$150,000) suggests flexibility in supporting both small and large projects
  • Consistent growth in assets and giving indicates expanding philanthropic capacity
  • Foundation Source administration ensures professional grant management despite lack of public process
  • Building relationships and visibility in their priority sectors and regions is the only path to potential funding
  • The foundation's giving has grown significantly (from ~$500,000 in 2023 to ~$900,000 in 2024), suggesting expanding capacity

References

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