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The Whitney Foundation at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Private foundation

The Whitney Foundation

Its FY2019 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$830k
Granted FY2019
8
Grants FY2019
2
States reached
$326k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2019.

Philanthropy$916kEducation$480kHuman Services$450kHealth$394kHousing & Shelter$272kEnvironment$225kPublic Safety & Disaster$83kArts & Culture$75kOther$0
02FY2019 · 8 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2019

  • Under $10k1 grant · $8k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $75k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $121k
  • $250k+2 grants · $626k
$50,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$0
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Central Valley Community Foundation$326,363
California State University Fresno Foundation$300,000
LEAP Charities$71,000
Boise State University Foundation$50,000
Madera County Arts Council$25,000
United Way of Treasure Valley$25,000
Arte Americas$25,000
American Red Cross$7,500
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 (FY17–19, $483k) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 84% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%Catch Inc: $76k → 8%Fresno Metro Ministry: $200k → 19%Exceptional Parents Unlimited: $100k → 19%Exceptional Parents Unlimited: $25k → 19%American Red Cross: $75k → 19%American Red Cross: $8k → 19%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.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 27% of The Whitney Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address. By recipient address, 72% of the giving stays in CA; by stated purpose, 61%.

The Whitney Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 9.0% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

23%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$488k · 4 repeat orgs$1.7M to everyone else

4 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2019, 3 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2019 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

4
19

Total granted

$488k
$1.2M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+70%
+151%

Still filing today

75%
53%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2019, 1% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $496k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19
Human ServicesEducationHealthEnvironmentInternationalArts & CultureOther
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

  • TC
    THE CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAH
    2× · 2017–2018 · $200k · revenue +199%
  • EP
    EXCEPTIONAL PARENTS UNLIMITED INC
    2× · 2017–2018 · $125k · revenue +70%
  • AN
    American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches
    2× · 2017–2019 · $83k · revenue +46%

Funded once

  • FM
    Fresno Metropolitan Ministrygraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $200k · revenue +422%
  • SJ
    SAN JOAQUIN RIVER PARKWAY & CONSERVATION TRUST
    one grant, 2018 · $125k · revenue +15%
  • HC
    Holy Cross Ministries of Utahgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $119k · revenue +137%
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
United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties

United Way Fresno and Madera Counties creates paths to prosperity. We achieve this through resident-led and partner-supported work that acknowledges individual circumstance and prioritizes access, opportunity, and equity for all.

—
2
Central California Food Bank

Ccfb is dedicated to ending hunger, working with over 200 partner agencies to provide food to those experiencing hunger. our mission: transforming lives together, in the passionate pursuit to end hunger in central ca - one meal, one…

Food & Nutrition
3
Utah's Promise

Utah's promise (up) is committed to 100% of kids and families thriving. we unify leaders, partners, communities and systems to achieve that promise.

Philanthropy
4
Centro Hispano

To empower Latino and Utah families by providing equitable access to information, resources, and educational programs to advance and strengthen the community.

Human Services
5
Southwest Utah Community Health Center

Making lives better in southwest utah by providing accessible, quality health care, regardless of financial, language, or cultural barriers.

Health
6
Children's Home Society of Idaho Inc

Our mission is to improve the lives of children in our community.

Health
7
California Forward

Ca fwd drives action to identify solutions that can be taken to scale to meet the challenges the state is facing. the organization is driven by the belief that regional solutions across the state will help ensure economic, environmental,…

Public Benefit
8
The Climate Center

The Climate Center is a climate and energy policy nonprofit working to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California.

Education
9
Upvalley Family Centers of Napa County

The mission of the UpValley Family Centers is to provide guidance, support and resources in the community, in the home and for the individual so that everyone can achieve a better life. We serve youth, adults and families in the…

Human Services
10
Community Impact Central Valley

To deliver comprehensive health and human service programs that improve the health and well-being of under-served california residents.

Health
11
Fresno Building Healthy Communities

To foster and encourage thriving communities where all children and families can live healthy, safe, and productive lives

Community Improvement
12
California Donor Table

California Donor Table anchors a hub of donors, foundations, and community leaders. We pool together our resources to shape California into a truly democratic state that works for the people, not the powerful. Rooted in our commitment to…

Civil Rights
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is United Way of Treasure Valley Inc; the most unlike its peers is Arte Americas the Mexican Arts Center. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

21 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. 21 of the 31 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)
12
Early backer (in before they grew)
21/21
Grantees still filing
21/21
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Central Valley Community Foundation A Corporation: $866,363 · PhilanthropyCentral Valley Community Foundatio…+2 more: $50,000 · Philanthropy+2 moreTHE CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAH: $200,000 · OtherTHE CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAHIndividual grant recipient: $100,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientLearning LabInc: $80,000 · OtherLearning LabIncGlobal Talent Idaho (Jannus Inc): $67,750 · OtherGlobal Talent Idaho (Jannus In…LEAP CHARITIES INC: $71,000 · OtherLEAP CHARITIES INCFAMILY ADVOCATE PROGRAM INC: $31,910 · Other+11 more: $275,000 · Other+11 moreFresno Metropolitan Ministry: $200,000 · Human ServicesFresno Metropolit…EXCEPTIONAL PARENTS UNLIMITED INC: $125,000 · Human ServicesEXCEPTIONAL PAREN…American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $82,500 · Human ServicesAmerican National…CATCH INC: $75,978 · Human ServicesCATCH INCCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO FOUNDATION: $300,000 · EducationCALIFORNIA ST…Boise State University Foundation Inc: $50,000 · EducationBoise State U…SAN JOAQUIN RIVER PARKWAY & CONSERVATION TRUST: $125,000 · EnvironmentCommunity Water Center: $100,000 · EnvironmentHoly Cross Ministries of Utah: $119,290 · HealthFocus Forward: $25,000 · HealthSelf-Help Enterprises: $100,000 · Housing & Shelter
Philanthropy$916,363Other$825,660Human Services$483,478Education$350,000Environment$225,000Health$144,290Housing & Shelter$100,000

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 budgetCentral Valley Community Foundation A Corporation: $866,363 over 2y, 2.8% of budgetCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO FOUNDATION: $300,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAH: $200,000 over 2y, 2.3% of budgetFresno Metropolitan Ministry: $200,000 over 1y, 18% of budgetEXCEPTIONAL PARENTS UNLIMITED INC: $125,000 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetSAN JOAQUIN RIVER PARKWAY & CONSERVATION TRUST: $125,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetHoly Cross Ministries of Utah: $119,290 over 1y, 7.4% of budgetSelf-Help Enterprises: $100,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $82,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCATCH INC: $75,978 over 1y, 7.1% of budgetLEAP CHARITIES INC: $71,000 over 1y, 12% of budgetBoise State University Foundation Inc: $50,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetFAMILY ADVOCATE PROGRAM INC: $31,910 over 1y, 3.4% of budgetWASSMUTH CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HOME OF THE ANNE FRANK MEMORIAL: $25,000 over 1y, 3.7% of budgetArte Americas The Mexican Arts Center: $25,000 over 1y, 7.3% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF ADA CO ID: $25,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetFocus Forward: $25,000 over 1y, 3.3% of budgetIDAHO WOMENS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetMADERA COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL: $25,000 over 1y, 5.3% of budgetUNITED WAY OF TREASURE VALLEY INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.6% 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.

Laura Moore Cunningha…Idaho Community Found…The California Endowm…Claude R & Ethel B Wh…Simplot Company Found…Idaho Power Foundatio…St Luke's Health Syst…First Interstate Banc…Percival Stern Founda…United Way of Treasur…Saint Alphonsus Regio…Idaho Womens Charitab…
Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation IncID19.9× affinity7 shared granteesties to 10 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Inc · Idaho Community Foundation Inc · The California Endowment · Claude R & Ethel B Whittenberger Foundation · Simplot Company Foundation Inc · Idaho Power Foundation Inc · St Luke's Health System Ltd · First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc · Percival Stern Foundation · United Way of Treasure Valley Inc · Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Inc · Idaho Womens Charitable 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 The Whitney Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Whitney Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%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
    8report 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.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Whitney Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Whitney Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    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 31 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 2019, released 2019. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Whitney’s 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