Updated Nov 6, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starry Night Charitable Foundationsince 2024 | $8.9M4 grants · 2025 | $2.0M | Preselected only | $12M |
| Rockwell Automation Charitable Corporationsince 2003 | $6.2M35 grants · 2024 | $45K | Yes | $8.6M |
| Brookhill Foundationsince 2006 | $4.4M28 grants · 2025 | $95K | Preselected only | $14M |
| A O Smith Foundation Incsince 1957 | $1.9M1 grants · 2025 | $1.9M | Yes | $10M |
| Ks Family Foundationsince 2018 | $1.6M11 grants · 2024 | $80K | Yes | $6.8M |
| Ralph Evinrude Foundation Incsince 1961 | $1.3M118 grants · 2024 | $7,250 | Yes | $14M |
| Johnson Family Foundationsince 1997 | $1.2M28 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Brady Corporation Foundation Incsince 2005 | $1.0M1 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Yes | $5.5M |
| Laskin Family Foundation Incsince 1968 | $1.0M29 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $5.9M |
| Harry L & Clara Cayo Wilson Fdn Tr 5096402since 1995 | $940K7 grants · 2024 | $140K | Preselected only | $10M |
| Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation Incsince 1987 | $906K1 grants · 2024 | $906K | Yes | $9.2M |
| Father John P Raynor Charitable Trsince 2005 | $890K1 grants · 2025 | $890K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Sister Irmgard Delfing Charitable Trsince 2005 | $876K1 grants · 2025 | $876K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Jackson Foundation United States National Bank of Oregon Trusteesince 1963 | $800K150 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Yes | $12M |
| Chris & Mary Peterson Memorial Fund Test Trust 03-09-90since 1991 | $799K1 grants · 2024 | $799K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Sensient Technologies Foundation Incsince 1960 | $742K47 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $9.0M |
| David V Uihlein Foundationsince 1977 | $740K26 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $7.9M |
| Antonia Foundation Incsince 1992 | $737K17 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $10M |
| Komatsu Mining Corp Foundation Incsince 1990 | $733K1 grants · 2024 | $733K | Yes | $9.6M |
| Engh Foundationsince 2016 | $720K20 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $9.8M |
| F Albert Klein Trust 1st Natl Bk Tteesince 1959 | $707K1 grants · 2024 | $707K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Glaser Foundation Incsince 1954 | $681K1 grants · 2023 | $681K | Yes | $12M |
| Casey Albert T Oneil Foundation First Trust Co of St Paul Tteesince 1965 | $606K38 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $10M |
| Stackner Family Foundation Incsince 1966 | $606K65 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $8.4M |
| Rite-Hite Corporation Foundation Incsince 1985 | $589K40 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $10M |
| Rosalie Tilles Nonsectarian Charity Fund 313743since 1948 | $588K6 grants · 2024 | $92K | Yes | $13M |
| The Lakeview Foundation Incsince 1996 | $575K9 grants · 2024 | $75K | Yes | $10M |
| Tlc Foundation Irrev Trsince 2014 | $571K5 grants · 2024 | $57K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Frank and Lucille Puncer Foundation Ltdsince 2022 | $565K25 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| Knox Foundation 25556120since 2002 | $548K38 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $8.5M |
| Peravid Foundation 25556100since 2002 | $533K53 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $8.4M |
| Pritchett Foundationsince 1999 | $508K41 grants · 2025 | $8,500 | Yes | $9.8M |
| Nabila Foundationsince 2018 | $500K1 grants · 2024 | $500K | Preselected only | $9.6M |
| Schoenleber Foundation Incsince 1965 | $500K25 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $8.5M |
| A & J Rewald Scholorship Trsince 1994 | $499K4 grants · 2025 | $129K | Preselected only | $8.9M |
| Dale Krueger Scholarship Fundsince 2000 | $496K63 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $9.7M |
| Bert L and Patricia S Steigleder Charitable Trustsince 1992 | $490K63 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $7.3M |
| Oscar C & Augusta Schlegel Foundationsince 1987 | $473K33 grants · 2025 | $7,000 | Preselected only | $7.6M |
| Patrick J and Janet L Thompson Family Foundation Incsince 2009 | $464K29 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $9.7M |
| The Sartori Foundation Incsince 2000 | $463K26 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $8.3M |
| Bruce & Anne Bundy Foundation Tr 113093 22114739since 1994 | $413K12 grants · 2024 | $14K | Preselected only | $7.4M |
| John J & Ruth F Kloss Charitable Tr 050010251200since 2006 | $409K25 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $8.5M |
| John H Witte Jr Foundationsince 1980 | $401K17 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $8.0M |
| Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation Incsince 1963 | $387K51 grants · 2025 | $3,000 | Preselected only | $5.7M |
| Jean Jack & Mildred Lemons Charitable Trust | $385K45 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $7.7M |
| Josephine Lawrence Hopkins Foundationsince 1969 | $350K26 grants · 2024 | $8,500 | Preselected only | $5.7M |
| Chase Family Foundation Incsince 2005 | $340K25 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $5.9M |
| Neumann Family Foundation Incsince 2014 | $335K24 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $5.7M |
| Jane H Snow Memorial Tr Fbo Parkview Home of Freeport Incsince 2002 | $334K1 grants · 2024 | $334K | Preselected only | $5.9M |
| Ralph Haugse Memorial Trsince 2010 | $322K6 grants · 2024 | $42K | Yes | $5.5M |
| Donald Weesner Charitable Tr 110898since 1999 | $307K8 grants · 2024 | $43K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Archie and Viola Meinerz Family Foundation Incsince 1993 | $294K16 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $6.4M |
| Hickory Fund Incsince 1964 | $290K17 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $5.5M |
| Charles E Fahrney Education Foundation | $233K17 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $5.4M |
| Paloma Blanca Foundationsince 2005 | $150K1 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $6.0M |
| Schallock Foundationsince 2014 | $127K1 grants · 2024 | $127K | Preselected only | $8.3M |
| Charles a Gundelach Memorial Fund No 244640tsince 1991 | $97K4 grants · 2024 | $22K | Preselected only | $5.8M |
| Kotula Family Foundationsince 2015 | $88K7 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $5.7M |
| Legacy Investment for a Virtuous Society Incsince 2020 | $50K1 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| Alice C Holton Foundation Incsince 2023 | — | — | Not stated | $6.8M |
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.