Updated Nov 7, 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; 23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbert H Kohl Charities Incsince 1978 | $14M258 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $3.6M |
| Wagmore Foundation Incsince 2012 | $1.9M15 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $4.5M |
| Nina Browne Parker Trsince 1980 | $747K1 grants · 2024 | $747K | Preselected only | $4.4M |
| Daniel W Erdman Foundation Incsince 2002 | $708K11 grants · 2024 | $22K | Preselected only | $4.5M |
| Henry W & Leslie M Eskuche Charitable Foundationsince 1978 | $598K90 grants · 2024 | $4,000 | Yes | $4.7M |
| Zurn Foundation Incsince 1955 | $561K191 grants · 2024 | $100 | Yes | $4.5M |
| Pollybill Foundation Incsince 1961 | $495K22 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $4.0M |
| Orson a Hull & Minnie E Hull Educational Foundationsince 1964 | $470K5 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $3.5M |
| Richard G Lambert MD Foundation for the University of Chicago Incsince 2003 | $452K1 grants · 2024 | $452K | Preselected only | $2.7M |
| Charles D Jacobus Family Foundation Incsince 1986 | $446K42 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $3.7M |
| Freida & William Hunt Memorial Trsince 1989 | $425K1 grants · 2025 | $425K | Yes | $4.6M |
| Augustus H Kennedy Memorial Fund Trust Nectsince 1978 | $407K5 grants · 2024 | $102K | Preselected only | $5.3M |
| Roger & Violet Noreen Char Trust | $391K13 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $5.2M |
| Charles E McGinley Trustsince 1973 | $329K1 grants · 2024 | $329K | Preselected only | $3.7M |
| Marcus Fam Charitable Trsince 1997 | $325K1 grants · 2024 | $325K | Yes | $4.2M |
| Margaret a Lindberg Foundation Incsince 2022 | $308K14 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $3.4M |
| Janet M Johnston Foundationsince 2009 | $305K1 grants · 2024 | $305K | Yes | $4.2M |
| Milton Gaebler Charitable Foundationsince 2011 | $300K5 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $4.9M |
| Roy W Slusher Charitable Foundationsince 1989 | $299K18 grants · 2024 | $6,750 | Preselected only | $3.3M |
| R a Stevens Family Foundationsince 1999 | $288K18 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $4.4M |
| W & R Van Zile Scholarship Fdnsince 2011 | $280K1 grants · 2024 | $280K | Preselected only | $5.3M |
| The Christopher Ludwick Foundationsince 1972 | $278K1 grants · 2024 | $278K | Preselected only | $5.3M |
| Beardsley Foundation Trust 2-0351since 1977 | $277K61 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $5.1M |
| Alvin & Marion Birnschein Foundationsince 1969 | $273K17 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $4.5M |
| Demmer & Goisman Foundationsince 2023 | $269K1 grants · 2025 | $269K | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| Earl C & Elizabeth Toutz Charitable Trustsince 1978 | $245K13 grants · 2024 | $17K | Preselected only | $5.3M |
| Howard Wallis Irwin & Dorise Carlyon Irwin Foundationsince 1992 | $244K53 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $3.3M |
| Ephraim Block Family Charitable Trustsince 1988 | $239K8 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $4.3M |
| Lola Leu Foundation 080016777400since 2016 | $225K2 grants · 2024 | $113K | Preselected only | $4.2M |
| Jeffrey C Kasch Foundation Incsince 1986 | $225K13 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $3.6M |
| Francis Pool Charitable Trsince 2017 | $223K2 grants · 2024 | $112K | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| Robert a Uihlein Foundationsince 1944 | $223K11 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $2.6M |
| Jennie Bowman for University of Wisconsin Memorial Fundsince 1972 | $212K1 grants · 2024 | $212K | Preselected only | $3.7M |
| Joan & Fred Brengel Family Foundation Incsince 1994 | $206K1 grants · 2025 | $206K | Preselected only | $3.5M |
| The Marcia and Kent Velde Foundationsince 2020 | $205K20 grants · 2025 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| Eppstein Uhen Foundation Incsince 2007 | $203K12 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $3.7M |
| Hamilton Family Foundation Incsince 2000 | $198K19 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $2.7M |
| Marjorie Siebert Aylen Foundation Incsince 1991 | $195K9 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $2.8M |
| William E McElroy Charitable Foundationsince 1993 | $194K14 grants · 2024 | $9,125 | Yes | $3.4M |
| Jefferson Scholarship Fundsince 1963 | $183K23 grants · 2024 | $3,400 | Yes | $2.7M |
| Ernest a Kuck Museum Foundation for Wasco County | $181K1 grants · 2024 | $181K | Preselected only | $3.0M |
| Donald B Kramer Tr for Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children- Busince 1978 | $177K1 grants · 2024 | $177K | Preselected only | $3.5M |
| Richard G Jacobus Family Foundation Incsince 1986 | $177K56 grants · 2025 | $1,500 | Yes | $3.9M |
| Claud Hardesty Scholarship Foundationsince 2015 | $169K1 grants · 2024 | $169K | Preselected only | $2.7M |
| Farley Charitable Trustsince 1993 | $167K6 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| Keech Scholarship Fundsince 1972 | $166K2 grants · 2024 | $83K | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| William L and Ruth T Pendleton Memorial Fundsince 1987 | $166K43 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $2.8M |
| Herzing Foundation Incsince 2020 | $161K7 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $2.8M |
| Vilter Foundation Incsince 1963 | $158K60 grants · 2024 | $2,250 | Yes | $3.7M |
| William C & Dorotha Gaedke Charitable Trsince 2003 | $150K7 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $3.6M |
| Marcus Corporation Foundation Incsince 1963 | $149K17 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $4.5M |
| Stella H Jones Foundation C/O J Lewis Perlsonsince 1997 | $138K21 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| Marjorie L Christiansen Foundation 9572037210since 1964 | $133K28 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $2.6M |
| Mary Clara Allison Charitable Trustsince 1998 | $128K2 grants · 2024 | $64K | Preselected only | $2.7M |
| William and Sandra Haack Family Foundation Incsince 2011 | $127K2 grants · 2024 | $64K | Preselected only | $2.7M |
| Youth Foundation Incsince 1957 | $123K99 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Yes | $2.6M |
| Vinger Fam Fndtnsince 1999 | $111K10 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $4.5M |
| Juliem Fam Foundationsince 2016 | — | — | Preselected only | $4.9M |
| Castle Foundation 94302320since 1961 | — | — | Yes | $3.2M |
| Pamela G Schmidt Irrv Trsince 2026 | — | — | Preselected only | $2.8M |
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.