The Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber
Sandusky, OH · EIN 34-1831533. Reported 273 grants totalling $1,398,993 to 115 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $4,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $2,000 and $5,000; the smallest was $45 and the largest $30,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Sandusky | Sandusky, OH | $145,531 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ohgo | Sandusky, OH | $105,500 | 10 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Library | Sandusky, OH | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Sandusky State Theatre | Sandusky, OH | $62,500 | 5 | 3 | 2023 |
| Sandusky Education Foundation | Sandusky, OH | $45,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Sandusky City Schools | Sandusky, OH | $41,500 | 14 | 4 | 2024 |
| Erie County Community Foundation | Sandusky, OH | $38,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Bgsu Foundation | Sandusky, OH | $35,000 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Family Health Services | Sandusky, OH | $35,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Salvation Army | Sandusky, OH | $31,150 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Firelands Regional Medical Center | Sandusky, OH | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Care and Share of Erie County | Sandusky, OH | $27,900 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Firelands Symphony Orchestra | Huron, OH | $27,250 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Lorain, OH | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Back to the Wild | Castalia, OH | $23,300 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Red Cross | Sandusky, OH | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Firelands Habitat for Humanity | Sandusky, OH | $22,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| New Jerusalem Baptist Church | Sandusky, OH | $21,850 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Greater Erie Co Marketing Group Chr | Sandusky, OH | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Middle School | Sandusky, OH | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Hs Football | Sandusky, OH | $19,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Erie County Economic Development | Sandusky, OH | $17,500 | 4 | 2 | 2023 |
| Erie County CASA Program | Sandusky, OH | $16,550 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Erie County Coummunity Foundation | Sandusky, OH | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Kiwanis Club of Sandusky | Sandusky, OH | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Sandusky Blue Streak Boosters Club | Sandusky, OH | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Huron Public Library | Huron, OH | $14,598 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Erie County Senior Center | Sandusky, OH | $12,155 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Cancer Services | Sandusky, OH | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Leadership Erie County | Sandusky, OH | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Erie Co Board of Dd | Sandusky, OH | $11,500 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Sandusky High School | Sandusky, OH | $11,400 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Anthonys Villa | Sandusky, OH | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Ne Oh Erie Co | Sandusky, OH | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Care and Share | Sandusky, OH | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Erie County Health Department | Sandusky, OH | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Kinship Inc | Huron, OH | $9,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Goodwill Industries | Sandusky, OH | $9,255 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Erie Metro Live Steamers | Sandusky, OH | $9,053 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Piggyback Foundation | Norwalk, OH | $9,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Polar Bear Swim Club | Castalia, OH | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| New Perspective Foundation | Alpharetta, GA | $8,750 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Margaretta Polar Bear Swim Club | Castalia, OH | $8,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Stein Hospice Service Inc | Sandusky, OH | $8,240 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Goodwill Industries of Erie Ottawa | Sandusky, OH | $8,100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Erie Shore Network Inc | Sandusky, OH | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Margaretta Elementary School | Castalia, OH | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Ne Ohio | Sandusky, OH | $7,451 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Father's Heart Ministry | Sandusky, OH | $7,150 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Perkins Twp Police Department | Sandusky, OH | $7,100 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Friends of the Huron Public Library | Huron, OH | $7,034 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Safe Harbour | Sandusky, OH | $6,750 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Erie County Sherriffs Office | Sandusky, OH | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Caryl Crane Youth Theatre | Sandusky, OH | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| City of Sandusky Rec Dept | Sandusky, OH | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City of Vermilion Fire Dept | Vermilion, OH | $5,553 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Project Share of Margaretta Twp | Castalia, OH | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Ability Works | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bgsu - Firelands | Huron, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cambell Christian Community Center | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Erie Cty Business Advisory Council | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Erie Residential Living | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Julie Roth Memorial Foundation | Milan, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kelleys Island Park Board | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Margaretta Local Schools | Castalia, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Margaretta Middle School | Castalia, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Men of Action Ministries Inc | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Peds on Wheels | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sandusky Digital Learning Center | Sandusky, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Margaretta Twp Fire Department | Castalia, OH | $4,683 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Sandusky Elks | Sandusky, OH | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Firelands Positive People | Sandusky, OH | $4,255 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Erie Co Children Services | Sandusky, OH | $4,088 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Margaretta 5TH Grade Science Fund | Castalia, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Margaretta Twp Firefighters Assoc | Castalia, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Nehemiah Partners | Sandusky, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New Jerusalem Church | Sandusky, OH | $4,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Band Parents | Sandusky, OH | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Hs Cheerleading | Sandusky, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Edison Local School District | Milan, OH | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Huron City Schools | Huron, OH | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Woodlands Elementary School Music | Huron, OH | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Hs Basketball | Sandusky, OH | $3,400 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Firelands Health | Sandusky, OH | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Huron Parks & Recreation | Huron, OH | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church | Sandusky, OH | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Shs Athletic Department | Sandusky, OH | $2,800 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Erie Co CASA | Sandusky, OH | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House of Ne Ohio | Cleveland, OH | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Shs Boys Basketball | Sandusky, OH | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Humane Society of Erie County | Sandusky, OH | $2,200 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sandusky Hs Tennis | Sandusky, OH | $2,100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Beulah Beach | Vermilion, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center for Peace Through Understand | Sandusky, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Father's Heart Family Church | Sandusky, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lake Erie Foundation | Lakeside, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Serving Our Seniors | Sandusky, OH | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Volunteers of America | Sandusky, OH | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Margaretta 8TH Grade Class | Castalia, OH | $1,850 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hopes for Futures | Elyria, OH | $1,795 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Acorn Ministires | Sandusky, OH | $1,750 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Perkins Township | Sandusky, OH | $1,750 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Sandusky Area Maritime Museum | Sandusky, OH | $1,730 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Boots to Grasses Therapeutic Horse | Berlin Heights, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities | Columbus, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Volunteers of America Crossroads | Cleveland, OH | $1,422 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Acorn Ministry | Sandusky, OH | $1,150 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Project Share | Castalia, OH | $1,150 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Acorn Ministries | Sandusky, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Boots to Grasses | Berlin Heights, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ec Family and Children First Counci | Sandusky, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Michael's House | Sandusky, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New Jerusalem | Sandusky, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ohio Verterans Home | Sandusky, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grace Luthern Church | Castalia, OH | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
54 of 115 (47%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 64%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Sandusky Blue Streak Boosters Club
TURF PROJECT AT STROBEL FIELD - Salvation Army
EMERGENCY SVCS & HOMELESS PREVENTION - Family Health Services
FHS ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION - Goodwill Industries of Erie Ottawa
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED - Firelands Regional Medical Center
CENTER FOR WOMEN AND NEWBORNS - American Red Cross
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ERIE CO RES
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 62 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | $352,500 | $4,500 |
| 2022 | 73 | $379,307 | $4,000 |
| 2023 | 68 | $335,309 | $3,965 |
| 2024 | 67 | $331,877 | $4,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. The Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber has 42 of them, worth $1,202,500. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| City of Sandusky | Sandusky, OH | $210,000 |
| City of Sandusky | Sandusky, OH | $180,000 |
| City of Sandusky | Sandusky, OH | $150,000 |
| City of Sandusky | Sandusky, OH | $120,000 |
| Sandusky City Schools | Sandusky, OH | $75,000 |
| Sandusky City Schools | Sandusky, OH | $60,000 |
| Sandusky Library | Sandusky, OH | $50,000 |
| Family Health Services | Sandusky, OH | $40,000 |
| City of Sandusky Rec Dept | Sandusky, OH | $40,000 |
| Family Health Services | Sandusky, OH | $30,000 |
| City of Sandusky Rec Dept | Sandusky, OH | $30,000 |
| Sandusky Education Foundation | Sandusky, OH | $30,000 |
| Sandusky Library | Sandusky, OH | $25,000 |
| Firelands Regional Medical Center | Sandusky, OH | $22,500 |
| Sandusky Education Foundation | Sandusky, OH | $20,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 99% of this one's giving went to organizations in Ohio. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $4,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Ohio.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 100 E Water Street, Sandusky, OH, 44870. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 34-1831533 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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