The Robert A. and Susan C. Wilson Foundation operates as a concentrated, grantmaking vehicle that channels large, unrestricted support to another philanthropic entity rather than to frontline nonprofits. In the single reported year it made one very large general operating grant to the Bob and Susan Wilson Foundation, suggesting use of pass-through or consolidation of family giving into a sister foundation. With only one grant on record, the foundation appears to prioritize philanthropy infrastructure and internal family foundation support over direct programmatic funding.
Highly concentrated: one very large, unrestricted grant to a single grantee (an affiliated foundation). Appears to prefer channeling support through other foundations rather than making many small or program-specific grants.
The largest reported grant from The Robert a and Susan C Wilson Foundation went to the Bob and Susan Wilson Foundation: $10,834,850 in 2025 for general operating support. That single award sets the tone for the foundation’s profile, showing a grantmaker that places most of its resources into a family-linked philanthropic vehicle rather than into a broad portfolio of program-specific nonprofit grants. The foundation is a private foundation with annual grants of $10,872,768 on file for 2025, and its giving record is narrow but clearly structured around unrestricted support. Beyond that flagship transfer, the foundation also made smaller general operating grants to organizations such as Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and Wreaths Across America, indicating that its approach is not limited to one recipient even though one grant dominates the total. The same year’s record includes additional support for Memphis-area and Tennessee-based organizations, along with a few grants outside Tennessee. Across the available data, the common thread is flexible, mission-sustaining funding rather than restricted project grants.
General operating support is the clearest pattern in the foundation’s recent grants. It gave $20,000 to Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation for general operating support and $12,648 to Wreaths Across America for the same purpose, showing a preference for unrestricted funding across different types of organizations. The foundation also funded community-based and service-oriented organizations. It awarded $2,300 to Make-a-wish in Memphis for general operating support and $2,220 to Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation in Chattanooga for general operating support. Smaller grants extended to Getwell Church in Southaven and Don't Ever Give Up Inc in Cary, both also listed as general operating support, reinforcing the same funding style across multiple cause areas.
The reported grant-size distribution is highly skewed: one grant of $10,834,850 anchors the year, while the remaining awards are much smaller, including $20,000, $12,648, $2,300, $2,220, $500, and $250. All seven listed grants were made in 2025. The foundation is a private foundation, and the available record shows unrestricted general operating support rather than project-specific awards. The pattern also suggests a mix of one very large internal or affiliated transfer alongside a small number of public-facing grants. With only one year on file, recurring recipient behavior cannot be established from the data provided.
$10.9M
$0
$214K
$10.9M
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Robert A and Susan C Wilson Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 55 | $12M | 98.2% |
| 2 | Spain |
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Notable grantees: Bob and Susan Wilson Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Tennessee-centered: all seven reported grants went to recipients in the United States, and 100% were awarded to organizations in the foundation’s top giving state, TN. Memphis appears repeatedly in the recipient list, including Bob and Susan Wilson Foundation and Make-a-wish. Other Tennessee recipients include Chattanooga and Southaven, while the out-of-state awards reached Linville, NC; Columbia Falls, ME; and Cary, NC. The recipient locations show a mainly local pattern with a few small grants outside the state.
The 2025 record is dominated by one $10,834,850 grant, while the other listed awards are much smaller at $20,000, $12,648, $2,300, $2,220, $500, and $250. That makes the distribution heavily concentrated at the top.
Yes. Every listed grant in the 2025 record is marked GENERAL - OPERATING, including support for organizations in Memphis, Chattanooga, Southaven, Linville, Columbia Falls, and Cary.
The foundation gives most often in Tennessee. The data show 100% of grants going to recipients in TN, including multiple awards to Memphis and other Tennessee locations.
The recent grants include a family-linked philanthropic foundation, a stewardship organization, a memorial-service nonprofit, a wish-granting charity, a foundation honoring sacrifice, a church, and a small nonprofit in Cary. The common funding purpose across them is general operating support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $1K |
1.8% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOB AND SUSAN WILSON FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,834,850 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA | COLUMBIA FALLS, ME | $12,648 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| MAKE-A-WISH | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,300 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $2,220 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| GETWELL CHURCH | SOUTHAVEN, MS | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| DON'T EVER GIVE UP INC | CARY, NC | $250 | 2025 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $300,000 | 2024 | FULFILLING PROMISES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $250,000 | 2024 | ROBERT & SUSAN WILSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION INC | OSHKOSH, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $12,000 | 2024 | HALL OF FAME |
| MULLINS UMC | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | MUSIC FUND |
| VETERANS AIRLIFT COMMAND | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME | SEVIERVILLE, TN | $2,700 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| MAKE-A-WISH | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,300 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $2,220 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| PARROQUIA SAGRADA FAMILIA | BARCELONA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| GRANDFATHER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| CHAPEL BY THE LAKE | JUNEAU, AK | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| LAGRANGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION | LAGRANGE, WY | $500 | 2024 | MEMORIAL |
| CHURCH HEALTH CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH | CARY, NC | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| WORLD CATARACT FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | MEMPHIS, TN | $500 | 2024 | MEMORIAL |
| ARTS MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $200 | 2024 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $300,000 | 2023 | FULFILLING PROMISES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION INC | OSHKOSH, WI | $30,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $23,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| MULLINS UMC | MEMPHIS, TN | $22,000 | 2023 | MUISC FUND |
| MEMPHIS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | MEMPHIS, TN | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| VETERANS AIRLIFT COMMAND | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $20,000 | 2023 | ROBERT & SUSAN WILSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA | COLUMBIA FALLS, ME | $12,110 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERISTY | MEMPHIS, TN | $11,000 | 2023 | COOPER WILSON BUILDING FUND |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | COLLIERVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| AOPA FOUNDATION | FREDERICK, MD | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| CALVARY RESCUE MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| AVE MARIA FOUNDATION | BARTLETT, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| FAYETTE COUNTY ANIMAL RESUCE | ROSSVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $9,640 | 2023 | HALL OF FAME |
| PEARL HARBOR AVIATION MUSEUM | HONOLULU, HI | $8,000 | 2023 | 2 PURPLE HEART TABLES |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FORT COLLINS, CO | $5,000 | 2023 | KARI & KELSEY'S FUND ENDOWMENT |
| TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME | SEVIERVILLE, TN | $2,700 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| MAKE-A-WISH | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,600 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| PINECREST CONFERENCE AND RETREAT CENTER | LAGRANGE, TN | $2,500 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $2,300 | 2023 | GENERAL - OPERATING |
| COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY MINISTRIES | THOMASVILLE, NC | $1,000 | 2023 | FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT |
BOB AND SUSAN WILSON FOUNDATION
$10,834,850GENERAL - OPERATING
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL - OPERATING
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
$12,648GENERAL - OPERATING
MAKE-A-WISH
$2,300GENERAL - OPERATING
HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION
$2,220GENERAL - OPERATING
GETWELL CHURCH
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
DON'T EVER GIVE UP INC
$250GENERAL - OPERATING
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
$300,000FULFILLING PROMISES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$250,000ROBERT & SUSAN WILSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL - OPERATING
SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
$12,000HALL OF FAME
MULLINS UMC
$10,000MUSIC FUND
VETERANS AIRLIFT COMMAND
$10,000GENERAL - OPERATING
TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME
$2,700GENERAL - OPERATING
MAKE-A-WISH
$2,300GENERAL - OPERATING
HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION
$2,220GENERAL - OPERATING
PARROQUIA SAGRADA FAMILIA
$1,000GENERAL - OPERATING
GRANDFATHER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL - OPERATING
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL - OPERATING
CHAPEL BY THE LAKE
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
LAGRANGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
$500MEMORIAL
CHURCH HEALTH CENTER
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
WORLD CATARACT FOUNDATION
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$500GENERAL - OPERATING
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$500MEMORIAL
ARTS MEMPHIS
$200GENERAL - OPERATING
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
$300,000FULFILLING PROMISES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION INC
$30,000GENERAL - OPERATING
HUMANE SOCIETY OF MEMPHIS
$23,000GENERAL - OPERATING
MULLINS UMC
$22,000MUISC FUND
MEMPHIS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$20,000GENERAL - OPERATING
VETERANS AIRLIFT COMMAND
$20,000GENERAL - OPERATING
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$20,000ROBERT & SUSAN WILSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
$12,110GENERAL - OPERATING
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERISTY
$11,000COOPER WILSON BUILDING FUND
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
$10,000GENERAL - OPERATING
AOPA FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL - OPERATING
CALVARY RESCUE MISSION
$10,000GENERAL - OPERATING
AVE MARIA FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL - OPERATING
FAYETTE COUNTY ANIMAL RESUCE
$10,000GENERAL - OPERATING
SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
$9,640HALL OF FAME
PEARL HARBOR AVIATION MUSEUM
$8,0002 PURPLE HEART TABLES
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$5,000KARI & KELSEY'S FUND ENDOWMENT
TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME
$2,700GENERAL - OPERATING
MAKE-A-WISH
$2,600GENERAL - OPERATING
PINECREST CONFERENCE AND RETREAT CENTER
$2,500GENERAL - OPERATING
HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION
$2,300GENERAL - OPERATING
COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
$1,000FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT