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; 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penshorn Joshua 24 Foundationsince 2013 | $1.3M39 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| E C Brown Trustsince 1940 | $1.1M2 grants · 2024 | $529K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Astor Street Foundation Incsince 1990 | $782K45 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $2.2M |
| Ann E & Joseph F Heil Jr Charitable Trsince 1999 | $737K1 grants · 2025 | $737K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| The Kasiska Family Foundationsince 1988 | $540K2 grants · 2024 | $270K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Donald and Donna Baumgartner Charitable Trustsince 2016 | $400K5 grants · 2024 | $65K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Suzanne and Richard Pieper Family Foundation Ltdsince 1993 | $365K13 grants · 2024 | $12K | Yes | $2.6M |
| J R & Emily Morgan Fund for the Blind and Prevention of Blindnesssince 1976 | $318K2 grants · 2024 | $159K | Preselected only | $2.0M |
| Olive I and Eunice J Toussaint Foundation Incsince 2011 | $318K24 grants · 2024 | $8,750 | Yes | $2.2M |
| Weiss Family Foundationsince 1999 | $256K43 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $2.3M |
| Bloomfield Family Foundationsince 2001 | $255K22 grants · 2024 | $11K | Yes | $1.8M |
| The Manitowoc Company Foundationsince 1973 | $226K35 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $2.2M |
| Barbara and John Trimble Family Foundation Incsince 2003 | $220K52 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $2.3M |
| Louis F & Florence H Weyand Charitable Trustsince 1978 | $220K30 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $2.2M |
| St Joseph Foundation Incsince 2024 | $219K13 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $2.4M |
| Farview Foundationsince 1999 | $218K32 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Preselected only | $2.1M |
| Dorothy Inbusch Foundation Incsince 1965 | $209K46 grants · 2025 | $3,000 | Yes | $2.4M |
| Rieger Foundation C/O Santa Barbara Bank & Trustsince 1988 | $201K4 grants · 2024 | $18K | Preselected only | $2.4M |
| Gladys E Gores Charitable Foundation Ltdsince 2020 | $200K16 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $2.0M |
| Hamp Foundation Incsince 2006 | $192K9 grants · 2025 | $23K | Yes | $1.9M |
| Bob Richardson Memorial Trustsince 1988 | $183K12 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $2.4M |
| Swanson Schmucker Charitable Tr 050011527800since 2009 | $171K4 grants · 2024 | $43K | Preselected only | $2.2M |
| Eleanor Evans Crum Tr Fbo National Tropical Botanical Gard 6702000120since 2006 | $165K1 grants · 2024 | $165K | Preselected only | $1.9M |
| Crum Fbo Hawaii Tropical Botanic Garden Private Fdtn 6702000110since 2006 | $165K1 grants · 2024 | $165K | Preselected only | $1.9M |
| Joseph Simeon Sanchez Medical Research Fundsince 1996 | $162K3 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $2.3M |
| Gebhardt Foundation Incsince 1987 | $161K14 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $2.2M |
| Geiger Family Foundation Incsince 1997 | $156K19 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Nancy M and Douglas M Yeager Family Foundationsince 2001 | $142K21 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Howard E Carruth Foundation U S National Bank of Oregonsince 1978 | $140K4 grants · 2024 | $35K | Preselected only | $2.6M |
| Rino and Ruth Dellavedova Scholarship Trustsince 1991 | $134K4 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $2.3M |
| Elizabeth E Doolittle Charitable Trust No 1since 1988 | $133K14 grants · 2025 | $7,218 | Yes | $1.9M |
| Alfred J Loftus Charitable Trustsince 1996 | $133K3 grants · 2024 | $33K | Preselected only | $2.4M |
| Malu Ltdsince 1970 | $132K1 grants · 2025 | $132K | Yes | $1.7M |
| K&l Hulburt Fam Tr Fbo Jc Library 050012452500since 2010 | $129K1 grants · 2024 | $129K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Henry G & Norma a Peterson Charitable Trust | $128K14 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $1.9M |
| Richard H & Charlotte G Orear Charitable Foundationsince 1986 | $125K6 grants · 2024 | $23K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Trainer Family Foundation Incsince 1980 | $125K2 grants · 2025 | $63K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Gustav and Gladys Kindt Foundationsince 1999 | $120K34 grants · 2025 | $3,000 | Yes | $2.1M |
| Ella M Grimes Testamentary Trust 4-2245-4since 1976 | $120K2 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $1.9M |
| George J Triplett Fbo Salvation Army 12167950since 1973 | $117K1 grants · 2024 | $117K | Preselected only | $1.7M |
| Haskell Foundationsince 1978 | $116K5 grants · 2024 | $29K | Preselected only | $1.9M |
| Hester Ann Harmon Trust Nect 1st Wisc Tr Cosince 1972 | $115K1 grants · 2024 | $115K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Jewel Brooks Charitable Trsince 2022 | $113K3 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $2.0M |
| Clifford and Irmajean Moe Scholarship Fundsince 2007 | $113K17 grants · 2024 | $4,000 | Yes | $2.1M |
| Ronald & Elizabeth Howard Char Tr 97348000since 1999 | $113K4 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $1.8M |
| Josephine R Witte Trustsince 1978 | $110K1 grants · 2024 | $110K | Preselected only | $2.1M |
| Isabel Schendel Robert and Josephine Pieper Trustsince 1992 | $105K5 grants · 2024 | $26K | Preselected only | $1.9M |
| Audrey Ballschmider Tr Uw 12191996since 2007 | $103K1 grants · 2024 | $103K | Yes | $2.0M |
| Suder-Pick Foundation Incsince 1964 | $101K1 grants · 2025 | $101K | Preselected only | $1.9M |
| Karen M Schroth Foundation for Animals Trsince 2005 | $93K7 grants · 2024 | $13K | Yes | $1.6M |
| John T Jacobus Family Foundation Incsince 1986 | $91K11 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $2.3M |
| Christy Foundation | $89K2 grants · 2024 | $44K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Edwin & Lucille Eggen Scholarship Fd Trsince 2002 | $83K20 grants · 2024 | $1,808 | Yes | $1.7M |
| Bernice Priger Charitable Foundationsince 2013 | $81K13 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $1.7M |
| Winter Wheat Foundationsince 2006 | $80K6 grants · 2024 | $6,500 | Preselected only | $2.0M |
| Mutschler Family Foundation Incsince 2007 | $77K39 grants · 2025 | $500 | Yes | $2.1M |
| Barbara Meyer Elsner Foundation Incsince 1991 | $65K7 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $1.6M |
| Beiderwell Foundationsince 1993 | $62K2 grants · 2024 | $31K | Preselected only | $1.7M |
| Kyle Family Foundation Incsince 2022 | $30K1 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $2.6M |
| Van Nuys J Benton Charitablesince 2012 | — | — | Preselected only | $1.8M |
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.