The Wheeler Family Charitable Foundation is a small, highly focused local funder that directs nearly all of its giving to hunger relief and nutrition services in the Somerset, PA area. Its grants are large relative to its portfolio and overwhelmingly provided as unrestricted contributions, indicating a preference for general operating support to trusted community service providers, especially seniors' meal delivery and food pantry operations.
The Wheeler Family Charitable Foundation’s giving is shaped by repeated unrestricted support for Somerset-area basic needs providers, especially Somerset Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. Across multiple years, those two organizations each received $50,000 grants, and both also appear in the foundation’s lower-grant history, showing a sustained relationship rather than one-off awards. That pattern sits alongside other operating support for community service groups and health-related nonprofits in Somerset and nearby Pittsburgh. The foundation’s recent grants show a compact local portfolio with awards that often land at round figures and are frequently designated as unrestricted contributions. Community nutrition is the clearest throughline: food distribution, meal delivery for seniors, and related local support organizations are central recipients. Beyond that core, the foundation has also backed children’s hospitals, housing-related services, youth programs, and faith-linked community groups, but those areas appear as smaller parts of a broader community-services profile. A notable feature of the portfolio is the mix of core operating aid and targeted project funding. While much of the giving is unrestricted, some grants are tied to specific purposes such as pediatric blood cancer care, transitional housing, and facility projects. That combination suggests a funder that supports both general service capacity and selected initiatives within its local network.
Hunger relief is the foundation’s clearest focus. Somerset Food Pantry received $50,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and an earlier $45,000 unrestricted contribution in 2023, while Meals on Wheels in Somerset also received $50,000 grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Those awards point to sustained support for food access and senior meal delivery. Healthcare appears in both general and project-specific forms. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh received $20,000 unrestricted grants in 2023 and 2024, then two $10,000 restricted grants in 2025, one for the Whole Child Wellness Center and one for neurooncology. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society also received a $10,000 restricted grant in 2025 for the Dare to Dream Project for pediatric blood cancer research and care. Community infrastructure shows up as well. In 2025, the foundation gave $10,000 to the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies for the Transitional Housing Project, and Camp Parc received a $10,000 restricted grant for the Risch Pavillion project after prior unrestricted support.
$215K
$3.7M
$695K
$259K
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 98% of grants go to recipients in PA.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated giving: a small number of sizable, repeat unrestricted grants focused almost entirely on two local organizations. Funding is relationship-driven and place-based rather than broadly distributed across causes.
Notable grantees: MEALS ON WHEELS, SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY, Other local Somerset community nutrition/hunger-relief organizations
Typical grants fall in a fairly tight band: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including Somerset Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Next Step Center, Salvation Army, Camp Parc, Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Pittsburgh, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. That repetition points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation gives directly to nonprofits and accepts unsolicited applications through its general grant programs, which are listed as open on a rolling basis from January through August for Somerset-based opportunities.
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Pennsylvania: 98% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Somerset is the primary city in the record, with repeated grants to Somerset Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Next Step Center, Salvation Army, and Somerset County Shrine Club. Pittsburgh is another recurring destination, including awards to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Pittsburgh, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at UPMC. Outside Pennsylvania, a smaller share goes to Florida, including Prospect Riding Center in Myakka City.
Its recent giving centers on community services, especially food pantry operations and home-delivered meals for seniors in Somerset, PA. The record also includes health care, transitional housing, youth programming, faith-based support, and a few arts-related or infrastructure grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Somerset Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Next Step Center, Salvation Army, Camp Parc, Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Pittsburgh, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Many of the larger grants in the recent record are unrestricted contributions, especially to Somerset Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and several community-service and health organizations. The foundation also makes restricted grants for named purposes such as pediatric blood cancer care, neurooncology, the Whole Child Wellness Center, and the Transitional Housing Project.
Yes. The foundation’s listed general grant programs accept unsolicited applications, and the general grant program notes a rolling application window from January through August for Somerset-based opportunities.
Its grant-size distribution is centered at $10,000, with a 25th percentile of $5,000 and a 75th percentile of $15,000. Larger awards do occur, including several $50,000 grants in the recent record.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SOMERSET, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY | SOMERSET, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEXT STEP CENTER | SOMERSET, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SALVATION ARMY | SOMERSET, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED ONLY FOR SOMERSET COUNTY, PA |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE DARE TO DREAM PROJECT FOR PEDIATRIC BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH AND CARE |
| CAMP PARC | DAVIDSVILLE, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE RISCH PAVILLION PROJECT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD WELLNESS CENTER |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR NEURONCOLOGY |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROJECT |
| SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H DEVELOPMENT FUND INC | SOMERSET, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | SOMERSET, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| OUTDOOR ODYSSEY AT ROARING RUN | BOSWELL, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | ERIE, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | SOMERSET, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR SUPPORT OF YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING |
| LAUREL ARTS | SOMERSET, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR A NEW KILN FOR CLAY STUDIO |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SOMERSET, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY | SOMERSET, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEXT STEP CENTER | SOMERSET, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| CAMP PARC | DAVIDSVILLE, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SALVATION ARMY | SOMERSET, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H DEVELOPMENT FUND INC | SOMERSET, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION 4-H PROGRAMS |
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | ERIE, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR SOMERSET COUNTY PARKS AND TRAILS |
| OUTDOOR ODYSSEY AT ROARING RUN | BOSWELL, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | SOMERSET, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | SOMERSET, PA | $1,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| LAUREL ARTS | SOMERSET, PA | $1,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $1,000 | 2024 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION CHILDCARE WORKS, SOMERSET |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SOMERSET, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY | SOMERSET, PA | $45,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| PROSPECT RIDING CENTER | MYAKKA CITY, FL | $25,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $20,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEXT STEP CENTER | SOMERSET, PA | $15,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER (UPMC) | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| CAMP PARC | DAVIDSVILLE, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SALVATION ARMY | SOMERSET, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET COUNTY SHRINE CLUB | BERLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H DEVELOPMENT FUND INC | SOMERSET, PA | $7,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| OUTDOOR ODYSSEY AT ROARING RUN | BOSWELL, PA | $5,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOMERSET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | SOMERSET, PA | $5,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | SOMERSET, PA | $1,500 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| LAUREL ARTS | SOMERSET, PA | $1,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $1,000 | 2023 | RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION CHILDCARE WORKS, SOMERSET |
| BAKERSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OF JEFFERSON TWP | SOMERSET, PA | $1,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $1,000 | 2023 | RESTRICTED DONATION BEYOUTIFUL FUND |
MEALS ON WHEELS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEXT STEP CENTER
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PITTSBURGH
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000RESTRICTED ONLY FOR SOMERSET COUNTY, PA
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
$10,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE DARE TO DREAM PROJECT FOR PEDIATRIC BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH AND CARE
CAMP PARC
$10,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE RISCH PAVILLION PROJECT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH
$10,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD WELLNESS CENTER
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH
$10,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR NEURONCOLOGY
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES
$10,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROJECT
SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H DEVELOPMENT FUND INC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
OUTDOOR ODYSSEY AT ROARING RUN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
$2,500RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR SUPPORT OF YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
LAUREL ARTS
$2,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR A NEW KILN FOR CLAY STUDIO
MEALS ON WHEELS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEXT STEP CENTER
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PITTSBURGH
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
CAMP PARC
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H DEVELOPMENT FUND INC
$5,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION 4-H PROGRAMS
SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES
$5,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION FOR SOMERSET COUNTY PARKS AND TRAILS
OUTDOOR ODYSSEY AT ROARING RUN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
$1,500UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
LAUREL ARTS
$1,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES
$1,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION CHILDCARE WORKS, SOMERSET
MEALS ON WHEELS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET FOOD PANTRY
$45,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
PROSPECT RIDING CENTER
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEXT STEP CENTER
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER (UPMC)
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
CAMP PARC
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET COUNTY SHRINE CLUB
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PITTSBURGH
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H DEVELOPMENT FUND INC
$7,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
OUTDOOR ODYSSEY AT ROARING RUN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOMERSET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
$1,500UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
LAUREL ARTS
$1,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES
$1,000RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION CHILDCARE WORKS, SOMERSET
BAKERSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OF JEFFERSON TWP
$1,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ALLEGHENIES
$1,000RESTRICTED DONATION BEYOUTIFUL FUND
Current and upcoming funding from Wheeler Family Charitable Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applications are reviewed for alignment with the foundation's mission and focus areas. Nonprofits seeking support in the listed program areas may apply.
Deadline: January–August rolling applications; September board review; October decisions; November–December grant issuance
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis January–August each year. Board review in September; decisions in October; grants issued November–December.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis January–August each year. Board review in September; decisions in October; grants issued November–December.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis January–August each year. Board review in September; decisions in October; grants issued November–December.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis January–August each year. Board review in September; decisions in October; grants issued November–December.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis January–August each year. Board review in September; decisions in October; grants issued November–December.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
