Private foundation · EIN 39-6076956 · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Gardner Foundation

Should you approach them?

Yes, approach them if you're in Wisconsin. The foundation accepts applications (One month before each meeting. Meetings are held in april, september, and decemb) and its median grant is $3,000.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 60 grants paid, $233K total, median $3,000. 100% of grants stayed in Wisconsin. Stated restrictions: Greater milwaukee, wisconsin area

Accepts applications
Yes
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
60
$233K
Median grant
$3,000
Stays in WI
100%
of grants
Deadline
See below
One month before each meeting. Meetings
Assets
$1.6M

How to apply

Gardner foundation form and attach irs 501(c)(3). Contact: Theodore Friedlander III, 322 E Michigan St Ste 250, Milwaukee, Wi, 4142730308 Deadlines: One month before each meeting. Meetings are held in april, september, and december. Restrictions: Greater milwaukee, wisconsin area

Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.

Grants paid in 2025

60 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Feeding America Eastern WisconsinMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$10K
Hunger Task Force IncMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$8,500
Grand Avenue ClubMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$7,500
Milwaukee Rescue MissionMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$7,000
PathfindersMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$7,000
Walkers Point Youth & Family CenterMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$6,000
Milwaukee Institute of Arts & DesigMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,600
Wisconsin Conservatory of MusicMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,500
Alverno CollegeMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Ascension Wisconsin FoundationMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Beyond VisionWest Allis, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Goodwill Industries of Se WiMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Hear Wisconsin IncWest Allis, WIOperating expenses$5,000
LA Causa IncMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Repairers of the BreachMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Shepherds MinistriesUnion Grove, WIOperating expenses$5,000
St Marcus SchoolMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
The Guest House of MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Versity Blood Research InstituteWauwatosa, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Wellpoint Care NetworkMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Wisconsin Luther Child & Family SerGermantown, WIOperating expenses$5,000
Milwaukee Youth Symphony OrchestraMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$4,000
Next Act TheatreMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$4,000
Vision Forward AssociationMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$4,000
Center for Deaf Blind Persons IncWest Allis, WIOperating expenses$3,500
Civic Music Assc of MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,500
Lutheran Counseling and Family ServWauwatosa, WIOperating expenses$3,500
Meta House IncMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,500
AweMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro MMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Broadscope Disability Svc IncGreenfield, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Discovery WorldMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
FIRST StageMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Jewish Family ServicesMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Kingdom WorkersWaukesha, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Malaika Early Learning CenterMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Milwaukee Academy of ScienceMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Milwaukee Art MuseumMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Milwaukee BalletMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Milwaukee Chamber TheatreMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Milwaukee Symphony OrchestraMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Milwaukee Tennis Education FundMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Playworks Education EnergizedMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Risen Savior LutheranMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Riveredge Nature CenterNewburg, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Securefutures Foundation IncMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
St Anthony School MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
The Florentine OperaMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
United Community CenterMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$3,000
Core El CentroMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,500
Islands of BrillianceMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,500
Renaissance TheaterworksMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,500
St Francis Children's CenterMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,500
Urban Ecology CenterMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,500
Optimist TheatreMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,000
Wild Space Dance CompanyMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,000
Woodland Pattern Book CenterMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$2,000
Above the CloudsMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$1,400
Milwaukee Area MessiahMequon, WIOperating expenses$1,000
Xalaat Africa Drum & Dance for LifeMilwaukee, WIOperating expenses$1,000

About this foundation

Gardner Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, tax-exempt since 1948. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Gardner Foundation accept grant applications?

Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Gardner foundation form and attach irs 501(c)(3). Deadlines: One month before each meeting. Meetings are held in april, september, and december..

How much does Gardner Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $233K across 60 grants, a median of $3,000.

Where does Gardner Foundation give?

Wisconsin (60 grants), per its latest filing.

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