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Also known as: C/O LOU NOSTRO
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Wildflower Foundation Inc. is a private corporation based in MIAMI, FL. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2009. The principal officer is Louis Nostro. It holds total assets of $62.1M. Annual income is reported at $16.6M. Total assets have grown from $39.8M in 2011 to $59.4M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2023. Funding is distributed across 16 states, including Florida, New York, Illinois. According to available records, Wildflower Foundation Inc. has made 90 grants totaling $7.2M, with a median grant of $35K. Annual giving has grown from $2.8M in 2021 to $4.5M in 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $2K to $550K, with an average award of $80K. The foundation has supported 59 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Florida, New York, District of Columbia, which account for 58% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 14 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Wildflower Foundation is a private family foundation controlled by the Stiefel family that does not accept unsolicited proposals. There is no application form, no published deadline, and no grants page. All funding decisions flow from the personal philanthropic priorities of Christine E. Stiefel (President) and Barbara A. Stiefel (Vice President). The most viable path to funding is through warm introductions from existing grantees or professional networks connected to the Stiefel family in Miami. Organizations aligned with the foundation's four pillars — arts/culture, education, environment, and human services — operating in Miami, New York, Chicago, or San Francisco have the strongest fit. Given the foundation's pattern of supporting both large national nonprofits and smaller community organizations, demonstrating measurable local impact could be particularly compelling. The $250K multi-year matching grant to Miami Lighthouse for the Blind suggests the foundation values challenge grants that leverage additional funding.
The Wildflower Foundation distributes approximately $5.7 million annually from a $62 million asset base (9.2% payout rate, well above the 5% IRS minimum). In 2024, the foundation made 62 grants ranging from $1,000 to $300,000, with an estimated average of $58,000 per award. Revenue comes primarily from investment income: interest ($824K, 44%), dividends ($562K, 30%), and asset sales ($489K, 26%). The foundation consistently spends more than it earns in revenue, drawing down assets to maintain its giving level — total expenses of $6.06M against $1.88M in revenue in 2024. Grant concentration spans four sectors: Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, and Human Services. Notable 2024 awards include Hospeace House ($300K), Doctors Without Borders ($250K), Planned Parenthood ($200K), EarthJustice ($200K), and The Nature Conservancy ($180K). The foundation has zero liabilities and zero compensated officers, keeping administrative overhead minimal.
| Foundation | Location | Assets | Annual Giving | Focus Areas | Accepts Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildflower Foundation | Miami, FL | $62M | $5.7M | Arts, Education, Environment, Human Services | No — trustee discretion only |
| Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation | Miami, FL | $80M+ | ~$10M | Arts, Culture, Education, Environment | Limited — by invitation |
| Green Family Foundation | Miami, FL | ~$50M | ~$3M | Global Health, Poverty Alleviation | No — pre-selected |
| Levin Family Foundation | Miami, FL | ~$30M | ~$2M | Education, Community Development | Limited |
| Knight Foundation | Miami, FL | $2.5B | ~$120M | Arts, Community, Journalism, Technology | Yes — open RFPs |
The Wildflower Foundation occupies a mid-tier position among Miami-based private family foundations. Its $62M asset base and $5.7M annual giving place it above the Levin and Green foundations but below the Pérez foundation. Its 9.2% payout rate is notably generous compared to the typical 5–6% for private foundations. Unlike the Knight Foundation, which is a large staffed institution with open RFPs, the Wildflower Foundation operates with zero staff compensation and purely discretionary grantmaking, which is typical of family foundations in this size range.
In fiscal year 2024, the Wildflower Foundation made 62 grants totaling $5.7 million, a significant increase in grant count from prior years (approximately 34 awards). The foundation's total assets stand at $62.1 million with zero liabilities. Revenue of $1.88 million came from investment returns, while total expenses reached $6.06 million — meaning the foundation distributed more than three times its annual income. Key 2024 grants include a $300,000 award to Hospeace House Inc, $250,000 to Doctors Without Borders, $200,000 each to Planned Parenthood Federation and EarthJustice, and $180,000 to The Nature Conservancy. The foundation continues its multi-year $250,000/year matching challenge grant to Miami Lighthouse for the Blind through September 2026. Leadership remains unchanged with Christine E. Stiefel as President, Barbara A. Stiefel as Vice President, and Louis Nostro as Secretary, all serving without compensation. The foundation's listed website (themuseofwildflowers.com) is a personal blog about grief/suicide loss and is not affiliated with the foundation's grantmaking operations.
1. Do not cold-apply — The Wildflower Foundation has no application process, no grants page, and no public contact form. Unsolicited proposals are not reviewed.
2. Build a relationship pathway — Identify connections to Christine E. Stiefel, Barbara A. Stiefel, or Louis Nostro through Miami philanthropic networks, arts boards, or environmental advocacy circles.
3. Seek introductions from current grantees — Organizations like Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, EarthJustice, or The Nature Conservancy may be able to facilitate introductions.
4. Align with the four pillars — Frame your work clearly within Arts/Culture, Education, Environment, or Human Services. Multi-pillar organizations (e.g., environmental education) may have enhanced appeal.
5. Demonstrate geographic relevance — The foundation concentrates giving in Miami, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington DC. Operations in these cities strengthen your case.
6. Consider a matching or challenge structure — The Miami Lighthouse grant demonstrates the foundation's interest in challenge grants that leverage additional funding. Proposing a match could be compelling.
7. Prepare for trustee-level engagement — If you secure an introduction, have a concise case statement (1–2 pages) ready with measurable outcomes, budget summary, and clear impact narrative. The foundation makes 62 grants per year, so decisions move relatively quickly once interest is established.
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Supporting arts education, cultural programming, and museum initiatives in major U.S. cities.
Funding educational initiatives and access programs, including support for schools and educational nonprofits.
Supporting conservation and environmental advocacy organizations including EarthJustice and The Nature Conservancy.
Backing community support programs including hospice care, reproductive health services, and international humanitarian aid through organizations like Doctors Without Borders.
The Wildflower Foundation distributes approximately $5.7 million annually from a $62 million asset base (9.2% payout rate, well above the 5% IRS minimum). In 2024, the foundation made 62 grants ranging from $1,000 to $300,000, with an estimated average of $58,000 per award. Revenue comes primarily from investment income: interest ($824K, 44%), dividends ($562K, 30%), and asset sales ($489K, 26%). The foundation consistently spends more than it earns in revenue, drawing down assets to maintain it.
Wildflower Foundation Inc. has distributed a total of $7.2M across 90 grants. The median grant size is $35K, with an average of $80K. Individual grants have ranged from $2K to $550K.
The Wildflower Foundation is a private family foundation controlled by the Stiefel family that does not accept unsolicited proposals. There is no application form, no published deadline, and no grants page. All funding decisions flow from the personal philanthropic priorities of Christine E. Stiefel (President) and Barbara A. Stiefel (Vice President). The most viable path to funding is through warm introductions from existing grantees or professional networks connected to the Stiefel family in M.
Wildflower Foundation Inc. is headquartered in MIAMI, FL. While based in FL, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 14 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara A Stiefel | VP/DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Christine E Stiefel | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Louis Nostro | SEC/DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$4M
Total Assets
$59.4M
Fair Market Value
$59.4M
Net Worth
$59.4M
Grants Paid
$3.6M
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$1M
Distribution Amount
$2.8M
Total: N/A
Total Grants
90
Total Giving
$7.2M
Average Grant
$80K
Median Grant
$35K
Unique Recipients
59
Most Common Grant
$30K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysalis FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | West De Moines, IA | $30K | 2022 |
| Planned Parenthood Of South FloridaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | West Palm Beach, FL | $550K | 2022 |
| Lotus House Shelter The Sundari FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Miami, FL | $500K | 2022 |
| Miami Lighthouse For The Blind & Visually ImpairedCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Miami, FL | $350K | 2022 |
| Little Kids RockCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Verona, NJ | $275K | 2022 |
| Boston University School Of Medicine Amyloidosis Treatment & Research ProgCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $250K | 2022 |
| Doctors Withour BordersCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $250K | 2022 |
| EarthjusticeCHARITABLE PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $200K | 2022 |
| The Nature ConservancyCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Maitland, FL | $180K | 2022 |
| Feeding AmericaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $145K | 2022 |
| Miami Cancer InstituteCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Miami, FL | $120K | 2022 |
| Cancer Research InstituteCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $110K | 2022 |
| Feeding South FloridaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Pembroke Park, FL | $110K | 2022 |
| National Parks ConservationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $100K | 2022 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation Of AmericaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Rochester, NY | $100K | 2022 |
| Conservation InternationalCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Arlington, VA | $100K | 2022 |
| Enviromental Defense FundCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $80K | 2022 |
| National Resources Defense CouncilCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $70K | 2022 |
| Zoo Miami FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Miami, FL | $55K | 2022 |
| Fisher House FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Rockville, MD | $50K | 2022 |
| African WildlifeCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $48K | 2022 |
| Outright Action InternationalCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $45K | 2022 |
| Patient Advocate FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Hampton, VA | $45K | 2022 |
| Fos FeministaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $40K | 2022 |
| Wildlife Conservation NetworkCHARITABLE PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $40K | 2022 |
| Alvin Ailey Dance FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $38K | 2022 |
| Humane Society Of NaplesCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Naples, FL | $35K | 2022 |
| World Wildlife FundCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $30K | 2022 |
| Teach For AmericaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $30K | 2022 |
| CeresCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Groton, MA | $30K | 2022 |
| Chapman PartnershipCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Miami, FL | $30K | 2022 |
| Center For Biological DiversityCHARITABLE PURPOSE | St Petersburg, FL | $30K | 2022 |
| Above ServicesCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Northbridge, MA | $30K | 2022 |
| Communities In SchoolsCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Arlington, VA | $30K | 2022 |
| Massachusetts Audobon SocietyCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Lincoln, MA | $30K | 2022 |
| Leadership ConferenceCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $20K | 2022 |
| Brookly MuseumCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Brooklyn, NY | $20K | 2022 |
| Larkin Street Youth ServicesCHARITABLE PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $20K | 2022 |
| Humane Society Of Greater MiamiCHARITABLE PURPOSE | North Miami Beach, FL | $20K | 2022 |
| Learning AllyCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Princeton, NJ | $20K | 2022 |
| Dav Charitable Service TrustCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Cold Spring, KY | $17K | 2022 |
| Freedom For Religion FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Madison, WI | $15K | 2022 |
| National Public RadioCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $15K | 2022 |
| Hospice Foundation Of AmericaCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $15K | 2022 |
| South Florida PbsCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Boynton Beach, FL | $15K | 2022 |
| First Nations Development InstituteCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Longmont, CO | $15K | 2022 |
| Humane Society Of Broward CountyCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $14K | 2022 |
| Chicago Art Partnerships In EducationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $14K | 2022 |
| Florida Wildflower FoundationCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Maitland, FL | $13K | 2022 |
| Danny & Ron'S RescueCHARITABLE PURPOSE | Camden, SC | $12K | 2022 |
WEST PALM BCH, FL
WEST PALM BCH, FL
POMPANO BEACH, FL