Our 2025 grant cycle is now closed.
We are in the process of reviewing 422 applications from our 2025 grant cycle, and will not have decisions for applicants until the end of July or early-August. Thank you for your patience.
If you’re considering applying for funding, first please determine that you and your organization are eligible by reviewing the eligibility requirements below, learning about our funding philosophy on the About page, and by getting to know our Grantees. If you meet the eligibility requirements and are doing work that aligns with our mission, you may apply through the application portal below during the dates of our annual grant cycle. Thank you for your time and interest.
OVERVIEW
Since its founding in 2014, the Foundation has given nearly $2 million through 160+ grants to 80+ organizations and institutions, nationwide. Our grant recipients are not geographically restricted, though many operate in California. All of our recipients have tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status as nonprofit organizations as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.
Our grant cycles take place every year between March and June. We fund small (organizational budgets of less than $1.5 million) creative organizations of all types across the United States, awarding 20-30 grants annually in 20+ disciplines, including a 3-year Covid-19 Relief initiative.
We do not focus on specific funding areas but take a more holistic philanthropic approach that considers the totality of an organization’s work, ethos, history, and community engagement, rather than just what’s described in your proposal.
We strive to support organizations that align with our mission and values, that are community focused, and embody intersectional practices and disciplines. As such, we frequently support general operations, programming, and other broader grant types.
Applicants that meet the Foundation’s eligibility and application requirements, and whose mission and work aligns with the Foundation’s goals, will be reviewed by our Board for funding the same year.
ELIGIBILITY
To submit an application for funding, you must be an official representative or staff member of a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (as defined by the Internal Revenue Service), working in the arts, and towards a mission that aligns with the Wilhelm Family Foundation’s work.
- Nonprofit organizations working in the arts with current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and which are not classified as a private foundation.
- The Foundation is not legally capable of making grants to individuals, individual artists, to any type of religious organization, nor to funding a 501(c)3 that directly or indirectly participates in, or intervenes in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.
- Organizations without nonprofit status may apply for funding through a fiscal sponsor. An application for funding, and all accompanying documentation, must come directly from the fiscal sponsor. The Foundation will consider applications utilizing fiscal sponsorship on a case-by-case basis, at the Board’s discretion, and may require further documentation regarding the partnership between the organization and its fiscal sponsor.
- Generally, the Foundation’s grants are given to small (<$1.5 million annual budget) nonprofit organizations that use their staff, programming & resources to further dialog around creativity, cultural, environmental and social justice issues, towards the benefit of artists, as well as the communities in which they operate. We do not typically fund exhibitions or capital campaigns.
- The majority of our grants are awarded for a one-year period. We do consider applications for multi-year funding, though projects or programs seeking funding beyond two years are not usually granted.
Timeline
We are in the process of reviewing 422 applications from our 2025 grant cycle, and will not have decisions for applicants until the end of July or early-August. Thank you for your patience.
Grantee Resources
- WFF logos are available for use by any grant recipient, and may be downloaded here.