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Wheeler Family Foundation Inc at a glance

· Private foundation

Wheeler Family Foundation Inc

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$231k
Granted FY2025still arriving
21
Grants FY2025still arriving
10
States reached
$40k
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, FY2021 to 2025.

Philanthropy$7.1MEducation$656kPublic Benefit$143kInternational$141kAnimals$119kHuman Services$104kCommunity Improvement$89kHealth$80kOther$0
02FY2025 · 21 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k12 grants · $31k
  • $10k–50k9 grants · $201k
$5,000
Median grant
10
States reached
$12M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
OAK POINTE CHURCH$40,000
TEAM RUBICON$30,000
SAMARITAN'S PURSE$30,000
SAY DETROIT$25,000
DETROIT CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL$20,000
PAN EQUUS ANIMAL SANCTUARY$20,000
NECHAMA$15,000
GLEANERS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF SE MICHIGAN$10,619
CAPUCHIN SOUP KITCHEN$10,000
VAIL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INC$6,000
FELLOWSHIP MATTERS INC$5,000
MOMS FOR AMERICA INC$2,650
ST ANNES MEAD$2,510
FOUNDATION FOR PRADER-WILLI RESEARCH$2,500
MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA$2,500
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 (FY25–25, $8k) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%MOMS FOR AMERICA INC: $3k → 14%FELLOWSHIP MATTERS INC: $5k → 18%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

MN
IL
MI
NY
OH
PA
CT
CA
CO
MO
VA
MD
AZ
TN
NC
DC
GA
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.

55%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$777k · 16 repeat orgs$643k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +31% since the first grant, against +4% for those funded once.

16 repeat relationships: 8 still active in FY2025, 8 since wound down; 13 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

16
30

Total granted

$777k
$564k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+31%
+4%

Still filing today

63%
77%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 66% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $80k went to new ones.

50%100%’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’21’22’23’24’25
EducationHealthAnimalsCommunity ImprovementCivil RightsSocial ScienceOther
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
    TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
    4× · 2021–2024 · $150k · revenue +31%
  • PE
    PAN EQUUS ANIMAL SANCTUARY
    5× · 2021–2025 · $114k · revenue +64%
  • SP
    SAMARITAN'S PURSE
    3× · 2021–2025 · $90k · revenue +83%

Funded once

  • BC
    BLOOMFILED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
    one grant, 2022 · $150k
  • CL
    CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
    one grant, 2021 · $75k · revenue +4%
  • MV
    MILLION VOICES INC
    one grant, 2021 · $50k
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
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
2
Dallas International University

As a christian university, we provide education and research opportunities preparing global leaders to partner with local communities.

Education
3
Liberty Justice Center

To advance economic and social liberties and a free enterprise society through strategic litigation, training, communication, activism and research. in addition, the center will train law students, lawyers and policy activists in the…

Crime & Legal
4
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

The american enterprise institute is a community of scholars and supporters committed to expanding liberty, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening free enterprise. aei pursues these ideals through independent thinking and the…

Social Science
5
Pew Research Center

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Pew Research Center generates a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue and…

Social Science
6
Foreign Policy Research Institute

The foreign policy research institute (frpi) is dedicated to producing the highest quality scholarship and nonpartisan policy analysis focused on crucial foreign policy and national security challenges facing the united states. we educate…

International
7
Atlantic University Inc

Provide post-secondary education of excellence.

Education
8
Boston Architectural College

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

—
9
Moral Compass Federation Inc

Moral compass federation facilitates collaboration among multiple veteran-led nonprofit organizations, individuals, and businesses who came together during the fall of kabul, afghanistan to evacuate and resettle afghan allies who were in…

Public Benefit
10
American Constitution Society for Law & Policy

The american constitution society for law and policy (acs) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others,…

Education
11
Allbritton Journalism Institute

Allbritton journalism institute aims to train a new generation of non-partisan political reporters from diverse backgrounds to produce high-quality, fact-based journalism.

Education
12
Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States Inc

The fsmb serves as the voice for state medical boards, supporting them through education, assessment, research and advocacy while providing services and initiatives that promote patient safety, quality health care and regulatory best…

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Freedomworks Foundation Inc; the most unlike its peers is Humane World for Animals 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

45 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. 45 of the 62 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)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
44/45
Grantees still filing
23/45
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Donors Trust Inc: $7,103,039 · PhilanthropyDonors Trust IncBLOOMFILED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: $150,000 · OtherBLOOMFILED…TURNING POINT USA INC: $83,000 · OtherTURNING PO…SALVATION ARMY: $71,000 · OtherSALVATION …MILLION VOICES INC: $50,000 · OtherMILLION VO…VAIL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: $45,050 · OtherVAIL CHRIS…OAK POINTE CHURCH: $40,000 · OtherDETROIT CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL INC: $30,010 · OtherTHE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA'S FIRST COAST INC: $30,000 · OtherTEAM RUBICON INC: $40,000 · OtherSAY DETROIT: $35,000 · Other+30 more: $212,779 · Other+30 moreTEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY: $150,000 · EducationVail Christian School Inc: $96,800 · EducationCHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: $75,000 · EducationHILLSDALE COLLEGE: $65,000 · Education+4 more: $10,500 · EducationPAN EQUUS ANIMAL SANCTUARY: $114,000 · Animals+2 more: $3,500 · AnimalsSAMARITAN'S PURSE: $90,000 · ReligionMAYO CLINIC: $25,000 · HealthBelieve Big Inc: $25,000 · HealthRETT SYNDROME RESEARCH TRUST INC: $5,000 · HealthST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $5,000 · HealthPenrickton Center for Blind Children: $2,500 · HealthFOUNDATION FOR PRADER-WILLI RESEARCH INC: $2,500 · HealthBELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY: $50,000 · Community ImprovementBAY FUTURE INC: $3,000 · Community Improvement+1 more: $1,000 · Community Improvement
Philanthropy$7,103,039Other$786,839Education$397,300Animals$117,500Religion$90,000Health$65,000Community Improvement$54,000

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 budgetDonors Trust Inc: $7,103,039 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetTEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY: $150,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetPAN EQUUS ANIMAL SANCTUARY: $114,000 over 5y, 13% of budgetVail Christian School Inc: $96,800 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetSAMARITAN'S PURSE: $90,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTURNING POINT USA INC: $83,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetCHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: $75,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetHILLSDALE COLLEGE: $65,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY: $50,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetTEAM RUBICON INC: $40,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSAY DETROIT: $35,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetTHE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA'S FIRST COAST INC: $30,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMAYO CLINIC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetIndependent Women's Forum: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetBelieve Big Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 3.3% of budgetOAKDALE FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetGLEANERS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN: $20,619 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFREEDOMWORKS FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMercury One Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFLORIDA CITIZENS ALLIANCE INC: $8,000 over 1y, 1.5% of budgetFLORIDA FAMILY VOICE INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetRETT SYNDROME RESEARCH TRUST INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPROJECT VERITAS: $5,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE JAMES MADISON INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBAY FUTURE INC: $3,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetAMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATIONINC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPRAGER UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetST ANNES MEAD: $2,510 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE ARC DEARBORN: $2,500 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetBROOKLINE LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE: $2,500 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetMEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerica First Legal Foundation: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPenrickton Center for Blind Children: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetDIGS WITH DIGNITY CORPORATION: $1,500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetGrosse Ile Educational Foundation Inc: $1,500 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetHumane World for Animals Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN TRANSPARENCY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOODSON CENTER: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCenter for Renewing America Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget2ND VOTE INC: $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.

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.

Donors Trust IncBradley Impact Fund I…The Dunn FoundationThe Leandro P Rizzuto…Ford PhilanthropyChristian Community F…Community Foundation …Natl Christian Charit…American Gift FundBaird Foundation IncThe Goldman Sachs Cha…National Philanthropi…
Donors Trust IncVA20.5× affinity8 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Donors Trust Inc · Bradley Impact Fund Inc · The Dunn Foundation · The Leandro P Rizzuto Foundation · Ford Philanthropy · Christian Community Foundation Inc · Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan · Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · American Gift Fund · Baird Foundation Inc · The Goldman Sachs Charitable Gift Fund · National Philanthropic 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 Wheeler Family Foundation Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Wheeler Family Foundation Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 60%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%4%8%11%15%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    6get no government money at all
    4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–15%
    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 Wheeler Family Foundation Inc?

    Find your warmest path to Wheeler Family Foundation Inc 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 62 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 Wheeler Family’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