Western Wind Foundation

The Western Wind Foundation is an OPEN foundation that accepts applications from nonprofit organizations — a valuable find among the predominantly closed foundations in this survey. Based in Wilmington, Delaware with giving concentrated in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs region of California, the foundation funds education, arts/culture, healthcare, food security, economic development, and community development programs serving the desert communities of Southern California.

The foundation recently underwent a significant leadership transition as of December 12, 2024: Jeremy Hobbs (the longtime President/Executive Director who earned $146,667 in compensation for 35 hours/week) departed, and was replaced by Jonathan R. Hobbs as Executive Director and Secretary (35 hours/week, no listed compensation yet), Bryan Irwin as President (3 hours/week), and Victoria Willock as Treasurer (3 hours/week). The connection between Jeremy Hobbs and Jonathan R. Hobbs suggests a family succession — father to son or similar.

Application requirements per IRS filing: (1) letter of introduction, (2) copy of most recent financial statements, (3) organizational budget, (4) proposed project budget, and (5) IRS tax-exempt determination letter. No deadlines are stated. Applications should be directed to the foundation at 1000 N West St Suite 1200, Wilmington DE 19801, phone 866-403-5272.

In FY2024, the Western Wind Foundation awarded $349,250 across 18 grants from assets of $4,113,262 — an 8.5% payout. Assets have declined significantly from $7.7M in 2015 to $4.1M in 2024, with the decline accelerating in recent years as distributions have consistently exceeded investment returns. The foundation has received no new contributions since 2017 ($1,599), making it a fully depleting endowment.

Grant size range in 2024: $250 (minimum) to $128,000 (maximum, to Inland Empire Community Foundation). The typical grant is $5,000–$25,000, with 3 grants in the $25,000–$99,999 range. Total grant count has declined from 32 (2022) to 28 (2023) to 18 (2024), reflecting a tightening grant budget as assets decline.

Key large grants in recent years: Inland Empire Community Foundation ($100,000+ annually, the largest grantee), Palm Springs-based arts organizations ($15,000–$75,000 range), and FIND Food Bank ($10,000–$20,000 range). The Chijnaya Foundation (which focuses on education projects in rural Peru) receives an annual grant (~$8,000–$15,000), representing an international humanitarian commitment.

The Western Wind Foundation occupies a meaningful niche in the Coachella Valley philanthropic landscape. The primary community foundation in this market is the Desert Community Foundation (part of the Community Foundation of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), and Western Wind's focus is complementary — providing direct grants to Palm Springs-area organizations rather than managing endowed funds.

The foundation's declining asset base ($7.7M → $4.1M over 9 years) creates urgency for grantees: at current distribution rates ($350,000–$450,000/year) and without new contributions, the foundation will exhaust its endowment in approximately 8–10 years. This is an important consideration for organizations building multi-year budgets around Western Wind support.

The Inland Empire Community Foundation's consistent large grants ($100,000+ per year) suggest a strategic partnership — Western Wind may be using IECF as a regrantee to deploy funds in specific sub-programs or geographic areas of the Inland Empire. The Maine Maritime Museum (Bath, Maine) appearing as a grantee is an unusual outlier likely reflecting a board member connection rather than a programmatic focus.

FY2024 data (Grantmakers.io, updated January 2026) reflects the first year under new leadership. New grantees include No Salt Sailing (sailing/water sports program, likely for youth or people with disabilities), Caravanserai Project (international/arts), and Wishes for Whitley. The leadership transition from Jeremy Hobbs to Jonathan R. Hobbs took effect December 12, 2024, which means most FY2024 grants were made under the old leadership.

Capital & Main (investigative journalism outlet, Los Angeles) appearing as a grantee is a notable addition — suggesting interest in supporting media organizations covering economic justice and community issues in California.

As assets have declined from $5.5M to $4.1M in just two years (2022–2024), the foundation may be actively spending down or adjusting strategy under new leadership. Nonprofits should monitor whether the December 2024 leadership change brings any strategic shifts in giving priorities or grant sizes.

The Western Wind Foundation is one of the rare open foundations in this survey that actively accepts grant applications. Organizations serving the Coachella Valley and greater Palm Springs area of California should prioritize this foundation for outreach.

To apply: send a letter of introduction along with your most recent financial statements, organizational budget, proposed project budget, and IRS determination letter to: Applications for Western Wind Foundation, 1000 N West St Suite 1200, Wilmington DE 19801. Phone: 866-403-5272. No deadlines are stated ("N/A"), suggesting rolling or annual review cycles.

Priority focus areas based on 2023–2024 grantee data: education programs for K-12 and college students (Foundation for PSUSD, College of the Desert Foundation, Science & Technology Education Partnership), arts and theater (Desert Ensemble Theatre, Palm Springs Young Playwrights, Broad Horizons Theatre, Modern Men Chorus), food security (FIND Food Bank), healthcare (Desert AIDS Project, Alzheimer's Coachella Valley, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center), and economic development/immigration services (Alianza Coachella Valley, Caravanserai Project).

Given the declining asset trajectory, apply early and build relationships under the new leadership team (Jonathan R. Hobbs, Executive Director; Bryan Irwin, President).