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Wheeler Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.9M
000

Wheeler Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,871,965 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $80,701,360 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 99 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$49,200 (based on 2023 data)
  • Geographic Focus: Maryland, Oregon, and Utah
  • Application Status: Invitation only (no public application process)

Contact Details

Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services (Administrator)

Overview

The Wheeler Foundation was established in 1992 under the Utah Nonprofit Corporation Act and received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in May 1994. The foundation was funded by Mr. Don M. Wheeler, a prominent Utah philanthropist associated with Wheeler Machinery Company, and his estate following his death in 2011. Mr. Wheeler "lived a life of service and philanthropic endeavors, and his boundless generosity was a blessing to many." The foundation is now managed and directed by his five daughters who desire to perpetuate his legacy of charity. With total assets exceeding $80 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed nearly $4.9 million in grants in 2023 across 99 awards. Wells Fargo serves as the foundation's trustee and administrative partner. The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation (NTEE code T20), making it one of Utah's significant philanthropic entities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wheeler Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles or award tiers. Instead, grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis through trustee discretion. The foundation provided $4,527,885 in charitable disbursements in their most recent fiscal year, representing 88.6% of total expenses.

Grant Characteristics:

  • No Set Dollar Limit: The foundation states there is no predetermined maximum or minimum grant amount
  • Average Award: Approximately $49,200 based on 2023 distribution data ($4,871,965 ÷ 99 awards)
  • Funding Structure: Grants are provided as reimbursements of paid invoices for approved amounts
  • Reporting Required: Foundation requires follow-up reporting to monitor how awarded funds are utilized

Priority Areas

The foundation has two complementary mission statements that guide its grantmaking:

Primary Mission: "To provide financial support to institutions, private or public organizations to educate, train and support children and adults that are mentally and/or physically handicapped."

Broader Focus: Grants are made primarily to organizations providing services to residents of Maryland, Oregon, and Utah, with special consideration given to:

  • Humanitarian needs
  • Educational initiatives
  • Cultural programs

Known Grant Recipients (representative examples from foundation materials):

  • Asian Society of Utah (refugee services)
  • National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • Salt Lake Children's Theatre
  • Primary Children's Medical Center
  • National Ability Center (Park City, UT)
  • Charity Water
  • Oregon Symphony
  • Moveable Feast
  • Children's Surgical Fund

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

  • Routine operating needs
  • Projects requiring ongoing, multi-year funding commitments
  • Organizations that do not qualify as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities
  • Financial aid or educational scholarships for individuals

Geographic Limitations: While there are no absolute geographic restrictions, the foundation gives priority to organizations serving Maryland, Oregon, and Utah communities.

Governance and Leadership

The Wheeler Foundation is managed by Don M. Wheeler's five daughters who serve as officers and directors. According to the most recent IRS filings, the board members include:

  • Rebecca Davis - President/Director
  • Susan Holt - Vice President/Director
  • Alison W. Jensen - Vice President/Director
  • Mary Katherine Younker - Treasurer/Director
  • Connie Wheeler - Secretary/Director

Each board member receives $7,500 in annual compensation for their service.

Administrative Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank serves as the foundation's administrative trustee, handling day-to-day operations, financial management, and grant administration through its Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services division.

The foundation's governance structure reflects the family's commitment to continuing Don M. Wheeler's philanthropic legacy, with his daughters maintaining direct oversight while leveraging Wells Fargo's professional foundation management expertise.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This foundation does not have a public application process.

As stated on the Wells Fargo foundation page: "The Wheeler Foundation's public application has now converted to an invitation only process."

This means:

  • Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications
  • Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees/board
  • Grants are typically awarded to organizations already known to the foundation or identified through the board's networks
  • The foundation identifies potential grantees through research, board member connections, and recommendations

Getting on Their Radar

While the Wheeler Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited applications, organizations working in their priority areas (disability services, mental health, education, cultural programs, humanitarian causes) within Maryland, Oregon, or Utah may increase visibility through:

Specific to Wheeler Foundation:

  • Contact Wells Fargo's grant administration team at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com with brief inquiries about whether your organization's work aligns with current funding priorities
  • The foundation's five-daughter board likely has connections in Utah's philanthropic and business communities, particularly through the Wheeler Machinery Company legacy
  • The National Ability Center partnership suggests strong interest in disability-focused organizations in Utah's Park City/Wasatch region

Note: Given the invitation-only structure, organizations should focus on building strong programmatic outcomes in the foundation's priority areas rather than direct outreach for funding.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only foundation with trustee-driven grantmaking, decision timelines are not standardized and vary based on board meeting schedules and individual grant considerations.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. With 99 grants made in 2023 from an invitation-only pool, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Given the invitation-only structure, there is no formal reapplication policy. The foundation's website previously noted that "organizations can apply as often as they wish" when it had a public application process, suggesting openness to repeat grantees, but this is no longer relevant given the current invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

Since the Wheeler Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the following factors are drawn from their stated priorities and funding patterns:

Alignment with Core Mission:

  • Strong preference for organizations serving individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities
  • Projects must have clear educational, humanitarian, or cultural benefits
  • Geographic focus on Maryland, Oregon, and Utah communities

Operational Approach:

  • Foundation favors project-specific funding over general operating support
  • Reimbursement-based grants suggest preference for organizations with sufficient cash flow to pay expenses upfront
  • Required follow-up reporting indicates foundation values accountability and measurable outcomes

Organizational Characteristics:

  • Must hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Past grantees span from major institutions (Primary Children's Medical Center, Oregon Symphony) to smaller community organizations
  • Diverse portfolio suggests openness to organizations of varying sizes

What the Foundation Values (based on Don Wheeler's legacy): The foundation materials emphasize that Mr. Wheeler "lived a life of service and philanthropic endeavors," suggesting the family values:

  • Demonstrated community impact
  • Service-oriented missions
  • Charitable work that addresses genuine community needs

Exclusions to Note: The explicit statement that the foundation "will not fund routine operating needs, and will not fund any project on an ongoing basis" indicates:

  • Capital projects, equipment purchases, or specific programs are preferred over general support
  • One-time or time-limited projects are favored over requests for sustained annual funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Status: The Wheeler Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited applications; grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations they identify or that come recommended through their networks
  • Strong Disability Focus: The foundation's primary mission emphasizes supporting children and adults with mental and/or physical disabilities—this is a core priority
  • Geographic Priority: Organizations serving Maryland, Oregon, and Utah have clear advantage, reflecting the Wheeler family's regional connections
  • Project-Based Funding: With explicit exclusion of routine operating needs and ongoing commitments, focus should be on specific projects, programs, or capital needs
  • Reimbursement Model: Grants are paid as reimbursements of invoices, requiring organizations to have operating capital to pay expenses first
  • Substantial Resources: With $80+ million in assets and ~$4.9 million in annual giving, this is a significant foundation capable of meaningful grants (average ~$49,000, though range varies)
  • Family Legacy: The foundation is managed by Don Wheeler's five daughters who are committed to continuing their father's charitable legacy—understanding Wheeler Machinery Company's history and the family's community involvement may provide context for their priorities

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wheeler Foundation (EIN 87-0503163). Accessed January 8, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/870503163

  2. Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services - Wheeler Foundation. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/wheeler-foundation/

  3. GuideStar Profile - Wheeler Foundation. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/87-0503163

  4. Instrumentl 990 Report - Wheeler Foundation. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/wheeler-foundation-agy-main

  5. Candid Foundation Directory - Wheeler Foundation. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=WHEE037

  6. Grantmakers.io Profile - Wheeler Foundation. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/870503163-wheeler-foundation/

  7. Wheeler Foundation Website - Application Information. Accessed January 8, 2025. http://wheelerfoundation.org/application/

  8. National Ability Center - Wheeler Foundation Partnership. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://discovernac.org/partners/wheeler-foundation/

  9. Wheeler Machinery Company History. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://wheelercat.com/about/history/

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