Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Wisconsin
860 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Wisconsin, holding $13B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 29 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred and Isabel Bader 2014 Charitable Trustsince 2015 | Milwaukee, WI | $92M1 grants · 2024 | $92M | Preselected only | $183M |
| The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Incsince 1999 | Waukesha, WI | $67M108 grants · 2024 | $46K | Preselected only | $837M |
| U S Bancorp Foundationsince 1979 | Milwaukee, WI | $66M2 grants · 2024 | $33M | Yes | $138M |
| Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Incsince 1943 | Milwaukee, WI | $56M361 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $987M |
| Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation Incsince 2015 | Milwaukee, WI | $27M1 grants · 2024 | $27M | Yes | $88M |
| Fund for Wisconsin Scholars Incsince 2008 | Madison, WI | $20M3 grants · 2024 | $120K | Preselected only | $342M |
| Joseph and Vera Zilber Familysince 2009 | Milwaukee, WI | $19M319 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $422M |
| Argosy Foundationsince 1994 | Milwaukee, WI | $17M281 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $74M |
| We Energies Foundation Incsince 1983 | Milwaukee, WI | $11M1 grants · 2024 | $11M | Yes | $88M |
| Two Eagles Foundation Incsince 2005 | Tomahawk, WI | $10M315 grants · 2024 | $31K | Preselected only | $173M |
| Pleasant T Rowland Foundationsince 2000 | Brookfield, WI | $9.2M113 grants · 2025 | $12K | Yes | $82M |
| Kohler Foundation Incsince 1941 | Kohler, WI | $9.0M147 grants · 2025 | $7,000 | Yes | $486M |
| Legacy Foundation of Central Wisconsin Incsince 2015 | Wisc Rapids, WI | $8.1M22 grants · 2024 | $354K | Preselected only | $142M |
| Baird Foundation Incsince 1968 | Milwaukee, WI | $7.0M3,862 grants · 2025 | $500 | Preselected only | $143M |
| Sonnentag Foundation Ltdsince 1988 | Marathon, WI | $6.4M1 grants · 2025 | $6.4M | Yes | $43M |
| Richard J Resch Foundation Ltdsince 1990 | Green Bay, WI | $6.4M23 grants · 2025 | $130K | Preselected only | $63M |
| Alliss Educational Foundation Equitysince 1964 | Milwaukee, WI | $5.9M22 grants · 2024 | $201K | Yes | $99M |
| Melitta S and Joan M Pick Charitable Trustsince 1972 | Milwaukee, WI | $5.7M1 grants · 2024 | $5.7M | Yes | $69M |
| J J Keller Foundation Incsince 1991 | Neenah, WI | $5.5M150 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $71M |
| Reiman Foundation Incsince 1987 | Pewaukee, WI | $5.5M82 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $87M |
| Theodore W Batterman Family Foundation Incsince 1992 | Milwaukee, WI | $4.9M99 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Kelben Foundation Incsince 1984 | Milwaukee, WI | $4.9M417 grants · 2024 | $1,500 | Yes | $63M |
| Easter Foundation Incsince 2004 | De Pere, WI | $4.8M54 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $73M |
| George H Sandy Foundationsince 1963 | Milwaukee, WI | $4.5M79 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $58M |
| Siebert Lutheran Foundation Incsince 1955 | Milwaukee, WI | $4.3M92 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $129M |
| Hendricks Family Foundation Incsince 2004 | Beloit, WI | $4.2M35 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $74M |
| Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Incsince 1974 | Milwaukee, WI | $4.2M68 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $82M |
| Nicholas Fam Foundation Trsince 1994 | Mequon, WI | $3.9M51 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $52M |
| Green Bay Packers Foundationsince 1987 | Green Bay, WI | $3.6M530 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Yes | $57M |
| Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Incsince 1959 | Manitowoc, WI | $3.6M63 grants · 2025 | $32K | Yes | $145M |
| Johnson Family Foundation Trsince 1995 | Racine, WI | $3.5M47 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $68M |
| Engelke Family Foundation Incsince 2013 | Madison, WI | $3.5M21 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $107M |
| Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundationsince 2012 | Mequon, WI | $3.5M445 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $57M |
| Eugene J Eder Charitable Foundation Incsince 1997 | Milwaukee, WI | $3.4M36 grants · 2024 | $21K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Dwight and Linda Davis Foundationsince 2009 | Wausau, WI | $3.3M41 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $117M |
| Raymond and Marie Goldbach Foundation Incsince 1997 | Marathon, WI | $3.2M1 grants · 2024 | $3.2M | Preselected only | $58M |
| Oscar Rennebohm Foundationsince 1951 | Madison, WI | $3.2M37 grants · 2025 | $75K | Yes | $49M |
| Daniel M Soref Rvoc Trsince 2002 | Milwaukee, WI | $3.1M47 grants · 2024 | $36K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Ros Foundationsince 1999 | Greenfield, WI | $3.1M123 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $61M |
| Henry J Predolin Foundation Incsince 1998 | Madison, WI | $2.9M3 grants · 2024 | $970K | Preselected only | $69M |
| B a and Esther Greenheck Foundationsince 1999 | Wausau, WI | $2.8M91 grants · 2025 | $20K | Yes | $76M |
| Lori and David Nicholas Family Foundation Incsince 2021 | Mequon, WI | $2.8M27 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $52M |
| Charles E Benidt Foundation Incsince 2003 | Elm Grove, WI | $2.6M27 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $69M |
| Lubar Family Foundation Incsince 1968 | Milwaukee, WI | $2.6M27 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Merkel Foundation Incsince 1988 | Brookfield, WI | $2.3M47 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $56M |
| Lynn S Nicholas Family Foundation Incsince 2022 | Mequon, WI | $2.0M9 grants · 2025 | $200K | Yes | $49M |
| Madison Gas & Electric Foundation Incsince 1966 | Madison, WI | $1.9M217 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $45M |
| Judd S Alexander Foundation Incsince 1974 | Wausau, WI | $1.8M33 grants · 2024 | $19K | Yes | $68M |
| Nelson Family Foundation Incsince 1997 | Prescott, WI | $1.7M17 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $51M |
| Edwin E and Janet L Bryant Foundationsince 1993 | Stoughton, WI | $1.6M53 grants · 2025 | $24K | Yes | $64M |
| Harley Davidson Foundation Incsince 1993 | Milwaukee, WI | $1.3M42 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $63M |
| Lunda Charitable Fund Incsince 2012 | Blk River Fls, WI | $1.2M25 grants · 2024 | $4,200 | Yes | $72M |
| Isabel Bader 2021 Charitable Trsince 2023 | Milwaukee, WI | $880K3 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $71M |
| Comer Science and Education Foundationsince 1998 | Waukesha, WI | $842K9 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $69M |
| Dohmen Company Foundation Incsince 2008 | Milwaukee, WI | $601K3 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $142M |
| Ames Family Legacy Foundationsince 2024 | Milwaukee, WI | $100K7 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $45M |
| Mead Witter Foundation Incsince 1953 | Wisc Rapids, WI | $87K1 grants · 2024 | $87K | Yes | $56M |
| Rdk Foundationsince 1985 | Milwaukee, WI | — | — | Not stated | $384M |
| Everythings Possible Foundation Incsince 2016 | Madison, WI | — | — | Not stated | $107M |
| Theda and Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation Incsince 1968 | Neenah, WI | — | — | Not stated | $47M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Wisconsin
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Wisconsin Arts Board — Organizational GrantsStateWisconsin Arts Board | Wisconsin Arts Board | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Wisconsin Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateWisconsin Humanities | Wisconsin Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Wisconsin?
Our directory lists 860 private grantmaking foundations in Wisconsin with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $13B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.