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Wold Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.8M
0
Decision Time
2mo
0

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,800,253 (2023)
  • Average Grant: $24,781
  • Total Awards: 112 grants (2023)
  • Assets: $54 million+
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (June for spring cycle, December for fall cycle)
  • Geographic Focus: Wyoming preferred, continental U.S. eligible
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines (April 15 and October 15)

Contact Details

Website: https://woldfoundation.org

Email: GThomas@woldfoundation.org

Phone: (307) 265-7252

Mailing Address: 139 W 2nd St #200, Casper, WY 82601

Executive Director: Glenda Thomas

Overview

Founded in 1985 by John and Jane Wold, the Wold Foundation is a private family foundation based in Casper, Wyoming, with over $54 million in assets. The foundation exists to assist, encourage, and promote charitable, scientific, literary, and educational endeavors. With a strong preference for projects benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth, the foundation supports institutions and programs that promote traditional values and free enterprise. In 2023, the foundation awarded 112 grants totaling $2.8 million, demonstrating consistent and active grant-making with growth from 81 awards in 2020 to 112 awards in 2023. John S. Wold, the founder, was a petroleum geologist, inventor, entrepreneur, rancher, and U.S. Congressman (1969-1971)—the first professional geologist to serve in Congress—who was named Wyoming's "Citizen of the Century" in the minerals, gas, and oil category in 1999.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two annual funding cycles with online applications:

  • Spring Cycle: Applications due April 15, decisions announced in June
  • Fall Cycle: Applications due October 15, decisions announced in December

The foundation prefers special project grants rather than general operating support. Average grant size is $24,781, with only one request per organization per year considered.

Priority Areas

Education

  • Pre-school through university level
  • Public, independent, and private schools
  • Recent example: $225,000 to University of Wyoming for the Oil and Gas Student Success Fund (2025), supporting graduate fellowships and experiential learning

Human Services and Youth Programs

  • Programs helping people realize their potential and lead productive lives
  • Youth development focusing on mental and physical well-being
  • Life skills building
  • Self-confidence and self-reliance programs
  • John Wold Help Yourself Academy at Casper College (established 2009)

Cultural and Historic Activities

  • Preservation of historic sites
  • Facilities used by community organizations

Health Care

  • Preventive health programs
  • Wellness initiatives
  • Programs that reduce healthcare costs

Scientific Endeavors, Conservation, and Outdoor Recreation

  • Conservation initiatives
  • Wise use of natural resources
  • Programs improving quality of life
  • Outdoor recreation supporting health, education, leadership training, and youth services

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual requests
  • Requests to influence legislation or elect officials
  • Loans to individuals or organizations
  • Conduit funding
  • Debt retirement
  • Memberships or ticket blocks
  • Fundraising event tickets
  • Churches or church projects
  • Endowment funds
  • Projects involving court action
  • Previously denied proposals (cannot resubmit)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors: The foundation is governed by John and Jane Wold's three children:

  • John P. Wold - Trustee and President
  • Peter I. Wold - Trustee and Treasurer; CEO of Wold Oil Properties, Casper, Wyoming
  • Priscilla Wold Longfield - Trustee and Secretary; based in Portland, Oregon; member of OHSU Foundation Board of Trustees

Executive Director: Glenda Thomas

All trustees work with minimal compensation, reflecting the foundation's commitment to directing resources toward grant-making. The family's deep roots in Wyoming's energy sector and commitment to education and science are reflected in the foundation's priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Application Method: Online application only via woldfoundation.org
  • Deadlines: April 15 (spring cycle) and October 15 (fall cycle)
  • Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)(3) organization operating within the continental United States
  • Non-Discrimination: Organizations must not discriminate based on sex, age, or religion
  • Important: Trustees will not schedule interviews unless they initiate contact

Decision Timeline

  • Spring Cycle: Applications due April 15, decisions announced in June (approximately 6-8 weeks)
  • Fall Cycle: Applications due October 15, decisions announced in December (approximately 6-8 weeks)

Reapplication Policy

The foundation will not consider previously denied proposals. Organizations must wait for new project ideas before reapplying. Only one request per organization per year is allowed.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Wyoming and Traditional Values: The foundation has a strong preference for projects benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth. Proposals should demonstrate how they support Wyoming communities and align with traditional values and free enterprise principles.

Special Project Focus: The foundation explicitly prefers funding special projects rather than general operating expenses. Applications should clearly define a specific project with measurable outcomes.

Self-Help Philosophy: Reflecting the John Wold Help Yourself Academy model, the foundation values programs that help people help themselves, build self-reliance, and develop skills for productive lives.

Energy and Natural Resource Connection: Given the Wold family's background in the energy sector and John S. Wold's legacy as a geologist and author of the National Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970, projects related to responsible resource development, energy education, and conservation find strong alignment.

Preventive and Cost-Effective Approaches: For health programs, emphasize preventive care and wellness initiatives that can reduce long-term healthcare costs rather than treatment-focused programs.

Youth Development: Programs targeting youth should demonstrate how they develop mental and physical well-being, build life skills, and encourage self-confidence and self-reliance.

Community Benefit: Clearly articulate how the project will benefit Wyoming communities or, if outside Wyoming, how it aligns with the foundation's core values of supporting traditional values and free enterprise.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wyoming organizations have priority: While the foundation accepts applications from across the continental U.S., proposals benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth receive preference
  • One shot per year: Organizations can only submit one request per year, so choose your strongest project and timing carefully between the two cycles
  • Special projects only: General operating support and endowments are not funded; focus on specific, defined project proposals
  • Previously denied = closed door: Once a proposal is denied, that specific project cannot be resubmitted; wait for a genuinely new project idea
  • No interviews unless invited: Don't expect face-to-face meetings; the trustees only schedule interviews if they initiate contact
  • Traditional values matter: The foundation's commitment to traditional values, free enterprise, and self-help philosophy should be reflected in your proposal language
  • Growing grant-making: With awards increasing from 81 (2020) to 112 (2023), the foundation is expanding its reach while maintaining an average grant of approximately $25,000

References

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