The Wheeler Foundation makes very large, concentrated gifts to a small number of local institutions in Utah, with a strong emphasis on higher education and major institutional support. One redacted, very large grant dominates their giving, while the University of Utah receives substantial general operating funding, indicating a preference for sustaining core institutional capacity rather than many small awards. Their giving appears place-based (Salt Lake City/Utah) and oriented toward transformational, high-dollar commitments.
A single $4,303,750 grant in 2025, listed to "See Attached" and tied to Winston-Salem, anchors the Wheeler Foundation’s recent record and signals how heavily it concentrates its giving. The foundation pairs that kind of large commitment with substantial support for major Utah institutions, including a $402,500 general operating grant to the University of Utah and a $160,000 general operating grant to Brigham Young University. Much of its grantmaking is place-based in Utah, but the recipient list also reaches into Baltimore, Phoenix, New York, Oregon, and Washington, DC. The foundation’s pattern is not spread across many tiny awards. Instead, it appears to support a relatively small set of organizations with meaningful checks, often for general operating support, core programs, or major institutional priorities. Recent recipients span higher education, humanitarian relief, food access, arts and culture, housing, health, and preservation. That mix suggests a funder that backs both large anchor institutions and targeted community-serving organizations. Its recent grants also show attention to organizations serving people facing immediate needs, such as refugees, homebound seniors, people seeking immigration legal services, and communities affected by disaster or displacement. The foundation’s giving is regional and strongly tied to Utah, but it is not limited to one issue area or one type of nonprofit.
Higher education is a clear priority. The Wheeler Foundation gave $402,500 to the University of Utah for general operating support and $160,000 to Brigham Young University for general operating support, showing a preference for strengthening institutional capacity rather than narrowly restricted projects. Food access appears in multiple forms. The foundation awarded $150,000 to Farm Alliance of Baltimore Inc. for Growing Healthy Food, $100,000 to Maryland Food Bank Inc. for the FoodWorks program, and $100,000 to Moveable Feast Inc. for its home delivered meal program. These grants connect food production, food distribution, and meal delivery. It also funds immigration and refugee services. Catholic Charities in Phoenix received $125,000 for immigration legal services, while International Rescue Committee Inc. received $250,000 for general operating support/RAI. The foundation additionally supported Stand With Ukraine with $70,000 for general operating support and Backroads Foundation with $70,000 for Ukraine support. Arts and culture are another thread, including $95,000 to Utah Chamber Artists for its 2022-2023 concert season and $80,000 to Portland Choir Orchestra for program development.
$4.3M
$80.7M
$6.2M
$5.1M
Most grants fall between $20K and $65K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$65K
About 47% of grants go to recipients in UT.
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Highly concentrated: very few grants but extremely large amounts. Preferential support for repeat or flagship institutions with unrestricted/general operating and likely capital-level gifts rather than broad, distributed small grants.
Notable grantees: SEE ATTACHED (large, redacted recipient — single dominant grant), University of Utah
Typical grant size sits at $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $65,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes a much larger outlier at $4,303,750. That combination points to a mix of standard-sized grants and occasional major commitments. The foundation funds individuals and does not make program-related investments. The same organizations do not appear repeatedly in the recent list, which suggests a pattern dominated by one-time awards in the sampled period rather than repeated annual grants. Many gifts are unrestricted or operating support, including grants labeled general operating. No application process is stated in the data.
Utah is the main state for giving, accounting for 46% of grants to recipients in the recent dataset. Within that pattern, Salt Lake City appears multiple times, along with Provo, Sandy, West Jordan, Cottonwood Heights, West Valley City, and Brigham City. Outside Utah, Baltimore is a recurring recipient city, and other grants land in Washington, DC; New York, NY; Portland, OR; Phoenix, AZ; and Bozeman, MT. All recent grants in the dataset are to US recipients.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on higher education, humanitarian and refugee services, food access, health-related work, arts and culture, and place-based community support. Grants include general operating support for universities, operating support for refugee and legal-service organizations, and program funding for food, housing, and arts organizations.
The typical grant size is $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $65,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes a much larger grant of $4,303,750, showing that the foundation sometimes makes very large commitments alongside smaller ones.
Yes. Utah is the top state by grant count, and 46% of grants in the recent dataset go to recipients in Utah. Recent Utah recipients include organizations in Salt Lake City, Provo, Sandy, West Jordan, Cottonwood Heights, West Valley City, Brigham City, and Salt Lake City.
Recent grants support higher education, food access, immigration legal services, refugee and Ukraine-related support, health care and medical research, arts and culture, and historic preservation. Examples include grants for general operating support at universities, food programs, and support for immigration legal services and Ukraine-related aid.
No. While the foundation gives heavily in Utah, the recent list also includes recipients in Baltimore, Phoenix, New York, Portland, Washington, DC, Bozeman, Hagerstown, Memphis, and Newberg. All recent grants in the dataset are to US-based recipients.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $4,303,750 | 2025 | SEE ATTACHED |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $402,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $260,000 | 2024 | GEN OP/DISASTER CYCLE UT & |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING/RAI |
| BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY | PROVO, UT | $160,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FARM ALLIANCE OF BALTIMORE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $150,000 | 2024 | GROWING HEALTHY FOOD & |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $135,000 | 2024 | BALTIMORE FOR BIRDS |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES | PHOENIX, AZ | $125,000 | 2024 | IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES |
| THE PRODUCERS CLUB OF MARYLAND INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $120,000 | 2024 | VISIONARY FD/CTR FOR MOVING |
| THE GOOD SAMARITAN FOUNDATION | COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT | $120,000 | 2024 | GEN OP/ROSE PARK NBHD |
| MARYLAND FOOD BANK INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2024 | FOODWORKS PROGRAM & |
| MOVEABLE FEAST INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2024 | HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM |
| YELLOWSTONE FOREVER | BOZEMAN, MT | $100,000 | 2024 | PRESERVE HERITAGE HISTORY |
| UTAH CHAMBER ARTISTS | SANDY, UT | $95,000 | 2024 | 2022-2023 CONCERT SEASON |
| OPERATION UNDERGROUND RAILROAD INC | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $90,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHELTER THE HOMELESS COMMITTEE INC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $90,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OASIS HOUSING INC | W VALLEY CITY, UT | $85,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PORTLAND CHOIR ORCHESTRA | BEAVERTON, OR | $80,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & |
| VILLAGE LEARNING PLACE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $80,000 | 2024 | LINK INITIATIVE |
| HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE GUIDE FOUNDATION | WEST JORDAN, UT | $70,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YWCA | WASHINGTON, DC | $70,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BLUE WATER BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $70,000 | 2024 | PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF |
| OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY FOU | PORTLAND, OR | $70,000 | 2024 | CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND |
| BACKROADS FOUNDATION | BRIGHAM CITY, UT | $70,000 | 2024 | UKRAINE SUPPORT |
| CHARITY GLOBAL INC | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $70,000 | 2024 | PIPED SYSTEMS WITH TAP |
| STAND WITH UKRAINE | IDAHO FALLS, ID | $70,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS | MEMPHIS, TN | $60,000 | 2024 | PEER EDU. PROGRAMS & |
| UTAH SYMPHONY OPERA | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $60,000 | 2024 | 2022-23 EDUCATION AND |
| ONE REFUGEE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $60,000 | 2024 | TEXTBOOKS/LAPTOPS |
| MAMA BABY INTERNATIONAL | NEWBERG, OR | $59,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TUERK HOUSE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $55,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PACIFIC BALLROOM DANCE | AUBURN, WA | $50,400 | 2024 | STUDIO EXP. PROJ./DANCING |
| FELLS POINT CREATIVE ALLIANCE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2024 | ASYLUM FOR FAMILIES AND |
| SALT LAKE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $50,000 | 2024 | PATHWAY WORLDWIDE, |
| THE INN BETWEEN | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $45,000 | 2024 | END LIFE CARE, MED RESPITE |
| CHILDRENS THEATRE AND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | S Salt Lake, UT | $42,500 | 2024 | GEN. OP, PERSINIUM/CURTAIN |
| JDRF INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH TO IMPROVING LIVES |
| MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL | TIGARD, OR | $35,000 | 2024 | 2022 CORE MISSION FUND |
| LIGHTHOUSE SANCTUARY | SARATOGA SPGS, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE KEY PLAYERS |
| FRIENDS OF GREAT SALT LAKE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WASATCH COMMUNITY GARDENS | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | EMPOWER COMM. MEMBERS THRU |
| CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES |
| UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING/END THE |
| NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER | PARK CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS SURGICAL | BOISE, ID | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MARYLAND NEW DIRECTIONS INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FEED THE CHILDREN INC | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN | TAMPA, FL | $30,000 | 2024 | SUSTAINABILITY FUND |
SEE ATTACHED
$4,303,750SEE ATTACHED
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$402,500GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$260,000GEN OP/DISASTER CYCLE UT &
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE INC
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING/RAI
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
$160,000GENERAL OPERATING
FARM ALLIANCE OF BALTIMORE INC
$150,000GROWING HEALTHY FOOD &
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$135,000BALTIMORE FOR BIRDS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
$125,000IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
THE PRODUCERS CLUB OF MARYLAND INC
$120,000VISIONARY FD/CTR FOR MOVING
THE GOOD SAMARITAN FOUNDATION
$120,000GEN OP/ROSE PARK NBHD
MARYLAND FOOD BANK INC
$100,000FOODWORKS PROGRAM &
MOVEABLE FEAST INC
$100,000HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM
YELLOWSTONE FOREVER
$100,000PRESERVE HERITAGE HISTORY
UTAH CHAMBER ARTISTS
$95,0002022-2023 CONCERT SEASON
OPERATION UNDERGROUND RAILROAD INC
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHELTER THE HOMELESS COMMITTEE INC
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING
OASIS HOUSING INC
$85,000GENERAL OPERATING
PORTLAND CHOIR ORCHESTRA
$80,000PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT &
VILLAGE LEARNING PLACE INC
$80,000LINK INITIATIVE
HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE GUIDE FOUNDATION
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING
YWCA
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING
BLUE WATER BALTIMORE
$70,000PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF
OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY FOU
$70,000CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND
BACKROADS FOUNDATION
$70,000UKRAINE SUPPORT
CHARITY GLOBAL INC
$70,000PIPED SYSTEMS WITH TAP
STAND WITH UKRAINE
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
$60,000PEER EDU. PROGRAMS &
UTAH SYMPHONY OPERA
$60,0002022-23 EDUCATION AND
ONE REFUGEE
$60,000TEXTBOOKS/LAPTOPS
MAMA BABY INTERNATIONAL
$59,500GENERAL OPERATING
TUERK HOUSE INC
$55,000GENERAL OPERATING
PACIFIC BALLROOM DANCE
$50,400STUDIO EXP. PROJ./DANCING
FELLS POINT CREATIVE ALLIANCE INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES
$50,000ASYLUM FOR FAMILIES AND
SALT LAKE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY
$50,000PATHWAY WORLDWIDE,
THE INN BETWEEN
$45,000END LIFE CARE, MED RESPITE
CHILDRENS THEATRE AND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
$42,500GEN. OP, PERSINIUM/CURTAIN
JDRF INTERNATIONAL
$40,000RESEARCH TO IMPROVING LIVES
MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL
$35,0002022 CORE MISSION FUND
LIGHTHOUSE SANCTUARY
$30,000SUPPORT FOR THE KEY PLAYERS
FRIENDS OF GREAT SALT LAKE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
WASATCH COMMUNITY GARDENS
$30,000EMPOWER COMM. MEMBERS THRU
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF UTAH
$30,000IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING/END THE
NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS SURGICAL
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
MARYLAND NEW DIRECTIONS INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
FEED THE CHILDREN INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN
$30,000SUSTAINABILITY FUND