Updated Oct 31, 2026
Private foundations based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
300 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, holding $5.4B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 27 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred and Isabel Bader 2014 Charitable Trustsince 2015 | $92M1 grants · 2024 | $92M | Preselected only | $183M |
| Bader Philanthropies Incsince 1992 | $69M1 grants · 2024 | $69M | Yes | $31M |
| U S Bancorp Foundationsince 1979 | $66M2 grants · 2024 | $33M | Yes | $138M |
| Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Incsince 1943 | $56M361 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $987M |
| Husco Foundationsince 2020 | $53M11 grants · 2025 | $125K | Yes | $30M |
| Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation Incsince 2015 | $27M1 grants · 2024 | $27M | Yes | $88M |
| Joseph and Vera Zilber Familysince 2009 | $19M319 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $422M |
| Argosy Foundationsince 1994 | $17M281 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $74M |
| We Energies Foundation Incsince 1983 | $11M1 grants · 2024 | $11M | Yes | $88M |
| Baird Foundation Incsince 1968 | $7.0M3,862 grants · 2025 | $500 | Preselected only | $143M |
| The Kellogg Family Foundation Incsince 1994 | $6.1M12 grants · 2025 | $49K | Preselected only | $42M |
| Alliss Educational Foundation Equitysince 1964 | $5.9M22 grants · 2024 | $201K | Yes | $99M |
| Melitta S and Joan M Pick Charitable Trustsince 1972 | $5.7M1 grants · 2024 | $5.7M | Yes | $69M |
| Yabuki Family Foundationsince 2000 | $5.1M21 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $41M |
| Theodore W Batterman Family Foundation Incsince 1992 | $4.9M99 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Kelben Foundation Incsince 1984 | $4.9M417 grants · 2024 | $1,500 | Yes | $63M |
| George H Sandy Foundationsince 1963 | $4.5M79 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $58M |
| Siebert Lutheran Foundation Incsince 1955 | $4.3M92 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $129M |
| Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Incsince 1974 | $4.2M68 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $82M |
| The Brookby Foundationsince 1995 | $3.5M151 grants · 2024 | $1,500 | Yes | $31M |
| Eugene J Eder Charitable Foundation Incsince 1997 | $3.4M36 grants · 2024 | $21K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Longview Foundationsince 2000 | $3.2M1 grants · 2024 | $3.2M | Preselected only | $17M |
| Daniel M Soref Rvoc Trsince 2002 | $3.1M47 grants · 2024 | $36K | Preselected only | $70M |
| John M Kohler Foundation Incsince 2004 | $3.0M45 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $41M |
| Lubar Family Foundation Incsince 1968 | $2.6M27 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Daniel Bader Charitable Trustsince 1990 | $2.5M1 grants · 2024 | $2.5M | Preselected only | $30M |
| David Bader Charitable Trustsince 1990 | $2.5M1 grants · 2024 | $2.5M | Preselected only | $30M |
| Ida C Koran Trsince 1992 | $2.4M2 grants · 2024 | $1.2M | Yes | $32M |
| Harri Hoffmann Family Foundation Incsince 1986 | $2.2M148 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $26M |
| Philip S Miller Charitable Trustsince 1996 | $2.0M8 grants · 2024 | $297K | Preselected only | $30M |
| Anon Charitable Trsince 1993 | $2.0M130 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $18M |
| Gainey Foundationsince 2006 | $1.9M29 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $38M |
| Maxon Foundationsince 1965 | $1.9M8 grants · 2024 | $208K | Preselected only | $25M |
| Sheldon L and Pearl R Leibowitz Dale Leibowitz Legacy Foundationsince 2014 | $1.9M1 grants · 2024 | $1.9M | Preselected only | $19M |
| The Ballmann Family Private Foundationsince 1994 | $1.8M35 grants · 2024 | $38K | Preselected only | $23M |
| E L and B G Lightfoot Foundationsince 1993 | $1.7M120 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $24M |
| Dr C C & Mabel L Criss Memorial Foundationsince 1979 | $1.7M23 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $24M |
| Rose E Tucker Charitable Trustsince 1976 | $1.6M107 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $16M |
| Jordan Family Foundation Incsince 2008 | $1.5M9 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $21M |
| Charter Manufacturing Company Foundation Incsince 1984 | $1.4M32 grants · 2024 | $7,750 | Preselected only | $20M |
| Dorothy M M Kersten Charitable Trust 04-4825since 1986 | $1.3M18 grants · 2024 | $59K | Preselected only | $25M |
| Harley Davidson Foundation Incsince 1993 | $1.3M42 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $63M |
| D V & Ida McEachern Charitable Fdnsince 1971 | $1.3M61 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $16M |
| Julie and Doug Baker Jr Foundationsince 2013 | $1.1M32 grants · 2024 | $13K | Preselected only | $22M |
| Sixsibs Foundation Incsince 2025 | $1.1M77 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $21M |
| Hauske Family Foundation Incsince 2016 | $1.1M48 grants · 2024 | $5,897 | Yes | $19M |
| Musser Fundsince 1993 | $905K90 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $18M |
| Jerome J & Dorothy H Holz Fam Foundation 10192001since 2003 | $903K52 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $19M |
| William J and Gertrude R Casper Foundationsince 1989 | $892K2 grants · 2024 | $446K | Yes | $17M |
| Isabel Bader 2021 Charitable Trsince 2023 | $880K3 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $71M |
| James L & Nellie M Westlake Scholarship Foundation 160940k Mer | $833K1 grants · 2024 | $833K | Yes | $20M |
| Rhea@bigelow Charitable Trustsince 2017 | $820K4 grants · 2024 | $175K | Preselected only | $17M |
| Peck Foundation Milwaukee Ltdsince 1985 | $754K54 grants · 2025 | $3,250 | Yes | $17M |
| Elizabeth Parrish Foundation Trustsince 1996 | $607K1 grants · 2024 | $607K | Preselected only | $18M |
| Dohmen Company Foundation Incsince 2008 | $601K3 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $142M |
| Ellies Foundation Incsince 2004 | $551K16 grants · 2025 | $2,750 | Preselected only | $19M |
| Ames Family Legacy Foundationsince 2024 | $100K7 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $45M |
| Rdk Foundationsince 1985 | — | — | Not stated | $384M |
| New Jci Foundation Incsince 2016 | — | — | Not stated | $30M |
| Laniakea Charitable Foundationsince 2021 | — | — | Preselected only | $23M |
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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
Our directory lists 300 private grantmaking foundations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $5.4B. 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.