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Phil & Pat Willis Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Phil & Pat Willis Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$157k
Granted FY2025still arriving
9
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0193% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$312kHousing & Shelter$101kHuman Services$83kInternational$35kYouth Development$34kHealth$30kEducation$24kPhilanthropy$23kOther$0
02FY2025 · 9 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k4 grants · $22k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $85k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
$10,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$1.3M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MICHIGAN THEATRE OF JACKSON$50,000
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MICHIGAN$35,000
JACKSON INTERFAITH SHELTER$20,000
GRASS LAKE SENIOR CENTER$20,000
ELLA SHARP MUSEUM$10,000
COLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS CENTER$7,000
SOAR CAFE FARMS$5,000
WASHTENAW AREA VALUE EXPRESS$5,000
FAMILY SERVICE CHILDREN'S AID$5,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–25, $50k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%WASHTENAW AREA VALUE EXPRESS: $5k → 14%WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: $3k → 13%NONPROFIT NETWORK: $3k → 13%WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: $3k → 13%JOHN GEORGE HOME: $3k → 13%TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE DIFFERENCE: $3k → 13%NON PROFIT NETWORK: $1k → 13%WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: $3k → 13%NONPROFIT NETWORK: $575 → 13%JACKSON YMCA: $4k → 13%COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES OF JACKSON: $3k → 13%GRASS LAKE SENIOR CENTER: $20k → 13%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

60%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$454k · 16 repeat orgs$297k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +71% since the first grant, against +37% for those funded once.

16 repeat relationships: 5 still active in FY2025, 11 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

16
50

Total granted

$454k
$232k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+71%
+37%

Still filing today

56%
28%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 59% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $65k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesArts & CultureEducationHousing & ShelterYouth DevelopmentReligionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • JI
    Jackson Interfaith Shelter
    5× · 2020–2025 · $80k · revenue +475%
  • TM
    THE MICHIGAN THEATRE OF JACKSON INC
    2× · 2020–2025 · $55k · revenue +453%
  • LR
    LOST RAILWAY MUSEUM
    2× · 2018–2019 · $38k · revenue +3%

Funded once

  • MT
    MICHIGAN THEATRE
    one grant, 2024 · $25k
  • TJ
    THE JACKSON FRIENDLY HOMEgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $15k · revenue +37%
  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2023 · $10k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Jackson Community Ambulance

The mission of jackson community ambulance is to provide high-quality out-of-hospital care and transportation services to the communities we serve.

Public Safety & Disaster
2
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce

To be a leading driver and advocate for community and economic development in jackson county.

—
3
Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation

Assist in the development of projects in cooperation with the local government and civic bodies that secure additional employment opportunities and facilities in jackson county indiana.

Community Improvement
4
Grow Jackson

To empower the community through gardens, fresh food access, and eduction. instead of just growing food and giving it away, we also are teaching young people how to grow food, teaching them why fresh food is important for them and their…

Food & Nutrition
5
Jackson Electric Membership Corporation

To provide the best possible electric service to all who desire it within the system area at a reasonable cost consistent with the highest standards of service.

—
6
Jackson Family Childcare

To provide high quality, comprehensive child development and after school care to ensure that children can reach their highest potential

—
7
Jackson Resource Center

To be a multifaceted housing organization devoted to catalyzing intentional on and off site collaborative partnerships that reduces homelessness and creates sustainable communities through affordable quality housing continued education job…

Education
8
The Jackson County United Way Inc

Jackson county united way assesses needs, secures resources and strategically invests those resources to create lasting, measurable change in the areas of education, health and financial stability for all people in jackson county.

Philanthropy
9
St Andrews Episcopal Church Jackson
—
10
United Way of Jackson County

United way of jackson county (uwjc) is dedicated to creating a community rich in opportunities to eliminate poverty and allow all people to achieve financial stability and success. this emphasis on financial stability includes meeting…

—
11
Jackson County Economic Development Foundation Inc

Improving the economic development opportunities of jackson county, mississippi by unifying planning, economic & industrial development, and marketing activities in the county.

Community Improvement
12
Jackson County Historical Society

To preserve and operate historic sites for public tours and research. to preserve historic documents for public inspection.

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes Inc; the most unlike its peers is Fossores. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

28 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 28 of the 71 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/28
Grantees still filing
19/28
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

LOST RAIL MUSEUM: $109,000 · OtherLOST RAIL MUSEUMMICHIGAN THEATRE: $25,000 · OtherMICHIGAN THEATRECOUNTY OF JACKSON MICHIGAN DEPT ON AGING: $20,000 · OtherDAHLEM CENTER: $18,000 · OtherTHE JACKSON FRIENDLY HOME: $15,000 · OtherRISE ABOVE: $15,000 · Other+45 more: $207,280 · Other+45 moreTHE MICHIGAN THEATRE OF JACKSON INC: $55,000 · Arts & CultureTHE MICHIGAN THEATRE …LOST RAILWAY MUSEUM: $38,000 · Arts & CultureLOST RAILWAY MUSEUMELLA SHARP MUSEUM ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON: $35,000 · Arts & CultureELLA SHARP MUSEUM ASS…JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC: $16,000 · Arts & CultureJACKSON SYMPHONY ORCH…WATERLOO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $5,000 · Arts & CultureJackson Interfaith Shelter: $80,000 · Housing & ShelterJackson Inte…HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $5,000 · Housing & ShelterHABITAT FOR …GRASS LAKE SENIOR CENTER: $20,000 · Human ServicesTOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: $12,000 · Human ServicesWESTERN-WASHTENAW AREA VALUE EXPRESS: $5,000 · Human ServicesNONPROFIT NETWORK: $4,075 · Human ServicesJackson YMCA Inc: $3,500 · Human ServicesCOMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES OF JACKSON COUNTY: $3,000 · Human ServicesJOHN GEORGE HOME INC: $2,500 · Human ServicesJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES INC: $35,000 · InternationalCOLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS CENTER OF JACKSON: $10,000 · EducationTHE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 · EducationSpring Arbor University: $4,000 · EducationANDYS ANGELS: $3,000 · EducationJackson Community Foundation: $18,000 · Philanthropy
Other$409,280Arts & Culture$149,000Housing & Shelter$85,000Human Services$50,075International$35,000Education$22,000Philanthropy$18,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetJackson Interfaith Shelter: $80,000 over 5y, 1.3% of budgetTHE MICHIGAN THEATRE OF JACKSON INC: $55,000 over 2y, 1.3% of budgetLOST RAILWAY MUSEUM: $38,000 over 2y, 12% of budgetJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES INC: $35,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetELLA SHARP MUSEUM ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON: $35,000 over 4y, 0.9% of budgetGRASS LAKE SENIOR CENTER: $20,000 over 1y, 15% of budgetJackson Community Foundation: $18,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetJACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC: $16,000 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetRISE ABOVE: $15,000 over 2y, 2.5% of budgetTHE JACKSON FRIENDLY HOME: $15,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetTOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: $12,000 over 4y, 2.3% of budgetCOLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS CENTER OF JACKSON: $10,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetTHE ENTERPRISE GROUP OF JACKSON INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetHABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $5,000 over 1y, 2.3% of budgetWESTERN-WASHTENAW AREA VALUE EXPRESS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetJACKSON MAKERSPACE: $5,000 over 1y, 8.9% of budgetCASCADES HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetWATERLOO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $5,000 over 1y, 3.6% of budgetNONPROFIT NETWORK: $4,075 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetSpring Arbor University: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJackson YMCA Inc: $3,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetYOUTH HAVEN INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCOMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES OF JACKSON COUNTY: $3,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetANDYS ANGELS: $3,000 over 1y, 4.3% of budgetJOHN GEORGE HOME INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetFOSSORES: $1,500 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetLifespan Corporation: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds Jackson Interfaith Shelter ↗
  • Who funds THE MICHIGAN THEATRE OF JACKSON INC ↗
  • Who funds LOST RAILWAY MUSEUM ↗
  • Who funds JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES INC ↗
  • Who funds ELLA SHARP MUSEUM ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON ↗
  • Who funds GRASS LAKE SENIOR CENTER ↗
  • Who funds Jackson Community Foundation ↗
  • Who funds JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC ↗
  • Who funds RISE ABOVE ↗
  • Who funds THE JACKSON FRIENDLY HOME ↗
  • Who funds TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ↗
  • Who funds COLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS CENTER OF JACKSON ↗
  • Who funds THE ENTERPRISE GROUP OF JACKSON INC ↗
  • Who funds HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ↗
  • Who funds WESTERN-WASHTENAW AREA VALUE EXPRESS ↗
  • Who funds THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds JACKSON MAKERSPACE ↗
  • Who funds CASCADES HUMANE SOCIETY INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Alvin L Glick Fou…Lavery FoundationConsumers Energy Foun…Jackson Community Fou…The Hurst FoundationJohn George Jr Paragr…Addison P Cook III Fo…The L H Field Family …Macchia Family Founda…Speckhard-Knight Char…Flagstar Foundation I…Samuel Higby Camp Fou…
The Alvin L Glick FoundationMI49× affinity21 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Alvin L Glick Foundation · Lavery Foundation · Consumers Energy Foundation · Jackson Community Foundation · The Hurst Foundation · John George Jr Paragraph X Trust · Addison P Cook III Foundation · The L H Field Family Foundation · Macchia Family Foundation · Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation · Flagstar Foundation Inc · Samuel Higby Camp Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Phil & Pat Willis Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Phil & Pat Willis Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 71 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Phil & Pat Willis’ filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home