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Why give?

The WILLA Foundation finds the stories the record left out and makes sure they survive. Through film, photography, archives, and oral history, we preserve the histories of American families and communities, with particular attention to the ones nobody wrote down. Our first film, Ink Trails, follows a family through the Great Migration in their own letters. Your gift funds archival research, digitization, oral history recording, and the films that carry these stories to the public. Join us and help keep a fuller history intact.

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Every family has a story the record left out. We capture those stories through film and photography, and we help families preserve what they already have. Our films do more than entertain. They inspire, they teach, and they keep a history that would otherwise disappear. By giving, or by buying our work, you invest in storytelling that honors the past and shapes what comes next. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration No. CH78247.

The Willa Foundation is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit under U.S. tax law (EIN: 83-4460091). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. By donating, you agree to our terms and policies, which include the use of funds to further our mission, occasional communication updates, and your contact information being securely stored in accordance with our privacy policy. For more details, visit our terms and conditions page.

Giving FAQs

  • Your donation directly supports our work preserving the histories of American families and communities, especially the ones that were never written down. Funds go toward archival research, digitization, oral history recording, film production, and the Family Archive Project.

  • Yes! The Willa Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization, so your donations are fully tax-deductible. Upon making a contribution, you will receive a receipt for your records.

  • Absolutely! While general donations go toward the foundation’s overall mission, you can specify if you'd like your contribution to support a particular project, like Ink Trails. Just indicate your preference when making your donation.