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The Mo and Cher Willems Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Mo and Cher Willems Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$325k
Granted FY2024still arriving
2
Grants FY2024still arriving
2
States reached
$250k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0197% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2024.

Education$580kFood & Nutrition$556kArts & Culture$81kCivil Rights$32kHealth$22kHuman Services$21kPhilanthropy$16kYouth Development$14kOther$0
02FY2024 · 2 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $50k–250k1 grant · $75k
  • $250k+1 grant · $250k
$250,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$115k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MA$250,000
FIRST BOOK$75,000
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 (FY19–20, $70k) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%SPRINGFIELD RESCUE MISSION: $250 → 17%MARTIN LUTHER KING FAMILY SERVICES: $3k → 17%NORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER: $40k → 12%NORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER: $25k → 12%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $500 → 14%PIONEER VALLEY WORKER CENTER: $2k → 12%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.

Which US states its grants reach

VT
MN
IL
WI
MI
NY
MA
PA
CT
CA
DC
AL
TX
FL
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.

79%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.1M · 8 repeat orgs$283k to everyone else

8 repeat relationships: 2 still active in FY2024, 6 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

8
77

Total granted

$1.1M
$283k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+49%
+52%

Still filing today

100%
69%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

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

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

’19’20’21’22’23’24
EducationArts & CultureHuman ServicesInternationalCivil RightsHealthOther
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

  • THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC
    5× · 2019–2024 · $483k · revenue +95%
  • NS
    NORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER INC
    2× · 2019–2020 · $65k · revenue +54%
  • AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC
    2× · 2019–2020 · $15k · revenue +49%

Funded once

  • D
    DONORSCHOOSEORG
    one grant, 2021 · $60k · revenue -5%
  • NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS INCgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $15k · revenue +127%
  • T
    THEATREWASHINGTONgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $15k · revenue +44%
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
Boston Architectural College

The bac is committed to provide excellence in design education grounded in practice and accessible to diverse communities.

—
2
Wnet

Wnet is a multi-media public service non-profit that delivers lifelong learning and meaningful experiences to our communities. our content inspires curiosity, encourages action and nurtures dreams.

Arts & Culture
3
The New York Public Library Astor Lenox and Tilden Foundations

The mission of the new york public library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities.

Education
4
Manhattanville University

To educate students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community.

Education
5
City Report Inc

CITY REPORT, INC. serves the people of New York through independent journalism that answers their information needs and holds the powerful to account.

Arts & Culture
6
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
7
New York City Center Inc

The mission of new york city center is to be new york city's leading center for dance and musical theater. dedicated to making the arts accessible to the broadest possible audience, city center seeks to create a welcoming environment and…

Arts & Culture
8
Open Markets Institute

The open markets institute works to help people relearn how to use competition policy to build stronger democracies, more just and equitable societies, more innovative and sustainable economies, and a more secure and peaceful world.

Education
9
The Paris Review Foundation Inc

The mission of the organization is to foster the development of creative individuals as writers and artists and to promote public appreciation of excellence in the literary and graphic arts by publishing a magazine containing fiction,…

Education
10
Wheaton College

Wheaton college provides a transformative liberal arts education, combining theory and practice, for intellectually curious students within a collaborative and vibrant extended community and network that values and strives to create an…

Education
11
Npr Foundation

The npr foundation ("foundation") is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of its sole supported organization, national public radio, inc. ("npr inc."). the foundation supports npr inc. through various activities such as…

—
12
Public Media Nj Inc

To bring quality public television programs and resources to communities throughout new jersey and its tri-state neighbors. its content, both on-air and online, aims to reflect the diverse

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is West Side Center for Community Life; the most unlike its peers is International Rescue Committee Inc. 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

64 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. 64 of the 87 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)
13
Early backer (in before they grew)
63/64
Grantees still filing
48/64
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC: $483,333 · OtherTHE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC+46 more: $123,400 · Other+46 moreFIRST BOOK: $488,000 · EducationFIRST BOOKDONORSCHOOSEORG: $60,000 · EducationDONORSCHOOSEORG+12 more: $25,100 · EducationNORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER INC: $65,000 · Human ServicesMARTIN LUTHER KING JR FAMILY SERVICES INC: $3,000 · Human Services+4 more: $3,250 · Human ServicesNEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS INC: $15,000 · Arts & CultureBALDWIN FOR THE ARTS INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureClubbed Thumb Inc: $10,000 · Arts & CulturePEN AMERICAN CENTER INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureUnited States Artists Inc: $6,500 · Arts & Culture+2 more: $2,000 · Arts & CultureAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC: $14,750 · Civil RightsTREVOR PROJECT INC: $9,000 · Civil RightsREFUGEE & IMMIGRANT CENTER FOR EDUCATION & LEGAL SERVICES: $5,000 · Civil RightsHUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION: $2,500 · Civil RightsGLSEN INC: $2,500 · Civil RightsNORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY ARTS TRUST INC: $5,500 · InternationalMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $3,000 · InternationalInternational Rescue Committee INC: $2,500 · InternationalUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $2,000 · InternationalUnited States Association for UNHCR: $1,000 · InternationalSCHOOL YEAR ABROAD INC: $500 · InternationalTHE POSSIBILITY PROJECT INC: $10,000 · Crime & LegalSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $3,500 · Crime & Legal
Other$606,733Education$573,100Human Services$71,250Arts & Culture$53,500Civil Rights$33,750International$14,500Crime & Legal$13,500

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetFIRST BOOK: $488,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetTHE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC: $483,333 over 5y, 0.8% of budgetNORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER INC: $65,000 over 2y, 1.4% of budgetDONORSCHOOSEORG: $60,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHEATREWASHINGTON: $15,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC: $14,750 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBALDWIN FOR THE ARTS INC: $10,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetTHE POSSIBILITY PROJECT INC: $10,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetClubbed Thumb Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetPEN AMERICAN CENTER INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTREVOR PROJECT INC: $9,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTIDES FOUNDATION: $7,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUnited States Artists Inc: $6,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY ARTS TRUST INC: $5,500 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetTRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: $5,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBARBERSHOP BOOKS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetREFUGEE & IMMIGRANT CENTER FOR EDUCATION & LEGAL SERVICES: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $3,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBESS THE BOOK BUS INC: $3,500 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetBROADWAY CARESEQUITY FIGHTS AIDS INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS: $3,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetEARTHJUSTICE: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMARTIN LUTHER KING JR FAMILY SERVICES INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetWHEN WE ALL VOTE: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHAMPSHIRE REGIONAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNORTHAMPTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC: $3,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetInternational Rescue Committee INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSAFE PASSAGE INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGLSEN INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCITY HARVEST INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR CARTOON STUDIES: $2,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTranslifeline DBA Trans Lifeline: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetPIONEER VALLEY WORKERS CENTER INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSHEA THEATER ARTS CENTER INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetGROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON INC: $1,250 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE ANIMATION PROJECT INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUnited States Association for UNHCR: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTAPESTRY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJUXTAPOSITION ARTS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCANCER CONNECTION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetREADING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC: $500 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.

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.

Community Foundation …The Beveridge Family …Florence Savings Char…The Zoe FoundationEasthampton Savings B…Ro Family FoundationSelect Equity Group F…Hurdle Hill FoundationPeoplesbank Charitabl…The Food Bank of West…Boston Foundation IncAgnes M Lindsay Trust
Community Foundation of Western MassachusettsMA43.4× affinity19 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts · The Beveridge Family Foundation · Florence Savings Charitable Foundation Inc · The Zoe Foundation · Easthampton Savings Bank Foundation Inc · Ro Family Foundation · Select Equity Group Foundation · Hurdle Hill Foundation · Peoplesbank Charitable Foundation Inc · The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Inc · Boston Foundation Inc · Agnes M Lindsay Trust

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 The Mo and Cher Willems Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Mo and Cher Willems Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 70%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →median 25%
  • Servicenet Inc: 82% of income from government
  • Tapestry Health Systems Inc: 60% of income from government
  • Safe Passage Inc: 55% of income from government
  • Pioneer Valley Workers Center Inc: 53% of income from government
  • Center for New Americans Inc: 45% of income from government
  • Reader to Reader Inc: 30% of income from government
  • Grow Food Northampton Inc: 25% of income from government
  • Manna Soup Kitchen: 15% of income from government
  • Northampton Survival Center Inc: 3% of income from government
  • Shea Theater Arts Center Inc: 2% of income from government
  • Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc: 1% of income from government
  • Historic Northampton Inc: 0% of income from government
  • Bess the Book Bus Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
7get no government money at all
13report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
4rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
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 87 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Mo and Cher Willems’ 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