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; 16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzsimonds Charitable Trustsince 2000 | $1.6M23 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $1.5M |
| Smarelli Charitable Trsince 2019 | $983K6 grants · 2025 | $13K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Regal-Beloit Charitable Foundationsince 1995 | $907K121 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| Direct Supply Foundation Incsince 2012 | $284K55 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $1.5M |
| Gardner Foundationsince 1948 | $233K60 grants · 2025 | $3,000 | Yes | $1.6M |
| Joseph C Duke Foundation Tr 25245340since 2006 | $183K4 grants · 2024 | $34K | Preselected only | $1.5M |
| Archie C & Gertrude C Cammack Trustsince 1971 | $170K1 grants · 2024 | $170K | Yes | $1.2M |
| Trust Uw Camille a Lonstorfsince 1985 | $141K1 grants · 2025 | $141K | Preselected only | $1.5M |
| Jennifer Friedman Hillis Family Foundation Incsince 2000 | $138K1 grants · 2025 | $138K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Charles W Mueller Family Foundationsince 2011 | $125K1 grants · 2024 | $125K | Yes | $1.5M |
| Doris L Bremser and Lois Bremser Foundationsince 2013 | $120K3 grants · 2025 | $40K | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Dr Laurence Selling Fundsince 1959 | $111K1 grants · 2024 | $111K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Crowther Foundationsince 1998 | $110K16 grants · 2025 | $5,500 | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| Al Hurvis Adamm Education Foundation Incsince 2016 | $107K15 grants · 2024 | $250 | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| Prairie Springs Paul A@fleckenstein Charitable Trustsince 2014 | $100K10 grants · 2025 | $5,728 | Yes | $1.4M |
| Arthur Krichevsky Memorial Scholarship Fund 97300820 03 40118since 1997 | $98K1 grants · 2024 | $98K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Joann Hamilton Memorial Fund 97320110since 1992 | $96K16 grants · 2024 | $4,000 | Yes | $1.2M |
| W E Ruebush Foundationsince 1968 | $92K24 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $1.2M |
| Myrta E Otterdale Memorial Scholarship Fund 2458100since 1996 | $86K4 grants · 2024 | $19K | Yes | $1.5M |
| Madden Family Foundation Incsince 2002 | $85K8 grants · 2025 | $8,468 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Poehlers-Stremel Char Tr 35420610since 2002 | $82K13 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Gladys Gerrity Scholarship Trsince 2015 | $80K8 grants · 2024 | $6,135 | Yes | $1.6M |
| Sophia Byers McComas Foundationsince 1971 | $79K1 grants · 2024 | $79K | Yes | $1.6M |
| Drs Meachem Foundation Fundsince 1972 | $78K1 grants · 2024 | $78K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Kenneth H & Margaret I Lenhard Scholarship Endowmentsince 2012 | $76K1 grants · 2024 | $76K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Ellamae Siebert Foundation Incsince 1991 | $75K7 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Byron J and Suzanne M Beattie Charitable Trust for Medical Reseasince 1983 | $75K1 grants · 2024 | $75K | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Ernest a Sommer Memorial Lecture Fundsince 1970 | $74K1 grants · 2024 | $74K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Maxsan Foundationsince 2004 | $73K14 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Evergreen Manor Permanent Endowment Trustsince 1980 | $73K1 grants · 2024 | $73K | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Stanley P Andersch Charitable Remainder Unitrustsince 1993 | $71K7 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| Leonard J James Library Tr Fundsince 2004 | $71K2 grants · 2024 | $36K | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| The@thomas J Reinhart Foundationsince 1998 | $71K13 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Yes | $1.4M |
| The Marvin and Marilyn Zetley Family Foundation Ltdsince 2006 | $71K11 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Beck Memorial Trustsince 1975 | $70K4 grants · 2024 | $7,793 | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Andrew F & Edith M Bell Ch Trsince 2007 | $70K4 grants · 2024 | $17K | Preselected only | $1.5M |
| Sommer Family Foundation Incsince 1984 | $70K41 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Jane Buttrey Memorial Trustsince 1965 | $68K12 grants · 2024 | $3,400 | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Herzog Beckman Foundationsince 2002 | $66K11 grants · 2024 | $4,000 | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| College Club of St Louissince 2001 | $65K1 grants · 2024 | $65K | Yes | $1.5M |
| Charles D Ortgiesen Foundation Incsince 1976 | $65K19 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Yes | $1.3M |
| William and Virginia E Oosterhuis Charitable Trustsince 1999 | $64K5 grants · 2024 | $6,436 | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Schaumleffel Charitable Foundationsince 1993 | $64K6 grants · 2024 | $11K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Robert E and Maxine Gaines McAuley Charitable Trustsince 2009 | $62K6 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| James E Doherty Medical Assistance Fundsince 2004 | $60K1 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $1.0M |
| Vernon W Burke Trust Under Willsince 1975 | $60K1 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| D Ernest and Eula Daniel Brown Charitable Trsince 2005 | $59K3 grants · 2024 | $24K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Jessie Merrill Tr Fbo We Care Animal Society 84-14139247since 2002 | $57K1 grants · 2024 | $57K | Preselected only | $1.0M |
| Robert Brady Trsince 1964 | $55K11 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $1.1M |
| Eileen and Barry Mandel Foundationsince 2023 | $54K1 grants · 2025 | $54K | Preselected only | $1.0M |
| Katherine Stauffer Charitable Trust 173490fsince 2000 | $54K10 grants · 2024 | $4,292 | Preselected only | $1.0M |
| Maximillian C Kolinski Trustsince 1972 | $53K1 grants · 2024 | $53K | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Steinbach Foundation U S Natl Bk of Oregon Tteesince 1964 | $50K1 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $1.0M |
| Orville & Laurene Watts Scholarship Fundsince 2013 | $49K1 grants · 2024 | $49K | Yes | $1.0M |
| Daniel W Hoan Foundation Incsince 1964 | $47K15 grants · 2025 | $250 | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Myron Frutiger Trustsince 2006 | $37K1 grants · 2024 | $37K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Phyllis and Walter Malzahn Charitable Trsince 1990 | $31K1 grants · 2025 | $31K | Preselected only | $1.5M |
| Marie and Mayer Winkler Foundationsince 2013 | $26K3 grants · 2024 | $8,589 | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| Adolph B Hill Jr Educational Foundationsince 1996 | $25K1 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| John Oster Family Foundation Incsince 1959 | $3,5003 grants · 2024 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $1.0M |
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.