Foundations that fund arts and culture in Wisconsin
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Wisconsin in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Green Bay Packers Foundation
- $6,000 to Above and Beyond Corporation, Sheboygan: Museum book nooks: play through the lens of literature
- $5,234 to Neville Public Museum Foundation, Green Bay: General program support
- $5,000 to Above the Clouds, Milwaukee: I said i can
How to apply: Application is available online during the application period of may 1 to july 1.
Deadlines: July 1 of each year
Restrictions: The organization must be a recognized non-profit for a minimum of two years and be located in the state of wisconsin.
Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc
- $130,000 to Manitowoc County Historical Society, Manitowoc: Restricted
- $100,000 to Rogers Street Fishing Village Inc, Two Rivers: Restricted
- $76,800 to Production Farm, Whitelaw: Restricted
How to apply: Written narrative describing organization and its need for funding.
Deadlines: None - grants are considered monthly at board meetings.
Restrictions: Qualifying organizations mainly in manitowoc county, wi.
Bert L and Patricia S Steigleder Charitable
- $30,000 to Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee: General operating
- $25,000 to John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan: General operating
- $25,000 to John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan: General operating
How to apply: Inquiries and applications should be in writing
Restrictions: See footnote for guidelines and restrictions and limitations on awards.
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc
- $10,000 to Forward Theater Company, Madison: General support
- $10,000 to Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison: General support
- $7,500 to Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison: General support
How to apply: Complete the application for funding and provide a copy of irs determination letter, current financial statements or copy of most recent audit report, project or program budget, and copy of minutes authorizing grant proposal.
Restrictions: Grants are generally awarded to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations located within madison gas and electric's service territory.
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
- $50,000 to Wisconsin History Foundation Inc, Madison: Campaign for a new wisconsin history center
- $25,000 to Childrens Museum of Fond Du Lac Inc, Fond Du Lac: Giant lite brite exhibit in new light wonders gallery
- $9,795 to Friends of Pbs Wisconsin Inc, Madison: Matching gift
How to apply: Giving for good grant request: -identification of nonprofit organization applying for funding -description of project, including funding details, timeline, and goals of project -description of the problem or opportunity the project is addressing
Marcus Corporation Foundation Inc
- $260,000 to Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Inc, Milwaukee: Art/culture
- $250,000 to Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Inc, Milwaukee: Art/culture
- $42,000 to United Performing Arts Fund Inc, Milwaukee: Art/culture
How to apply: Written request including name, address, objectives, and reason for request
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $215,000 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater Inc, Milwaukee: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $90,000 to American Players Theatre of Wisconsin, Spring Green: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $75,000 to Milwaukee Ballet Company Inc, Milwaukee: General operating support for dance productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
Gardner Foundation
- $7,500 to Pabst Mansion, Milwaukee: Operating expenses
- $5,000 to Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee: Operating expenses
- $4,000 to Artists Working in Education, Milwaukee: Operating expenses
How to apply: Gardner foundation form and attach irs 501(c)(3).
Deadlines: One month before each meeting. Meetings are held in april, september, and december.
Restrictions: Greater milwaukee, wisconsin area
Youth Foundation Inc
- $2,000 to Latino Arts Inc, Milwaukee: Arts
- $2,000 to Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee: Arts
- $1,800 to Kids From Wisconsin, Milwaukee: Arts
How to apply: Grant applicants must complete the youth foundation's application form and submit all required documents including a copy of the applicant's irs determination letter; current financial statements; most recent audit, review, or compilation report; a project or program budget; and...
Deadlines: December 15th, march 15th, june 15th, and september 15th for the respective grant cycles
Restrictions: The youth foundation's mission is to assist and promote the welfare and betterment of children and young people up to twenty-five years of age that contribute to their physical and intellectual development and formation of character. All...
Peck Foundation Milwaukee Ltd
- $51,000 to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee: Operating support
- $50,000 to Marcus Center for Performing Arts, Milwaukee: Capital campaign pledge
- $50,000 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee: Capital campaign
How to apply: No specific form.
Deadlines: No deadlines.
Restrictions: No restrictions.
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee: 2022 pledge of 60,000
- $10,000 to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee: Yearly pledge
- $7,500 to Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee: Operating support
How to apply: Common grant form or equivalent information
Deadlines: October 31st of year
Restrictions: Only 501(c)3 organizations primarily in the greater milwaukee, wisconsin area.
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
- $100,000 to Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau: Telling our stories: the next 50 years
- $37,500 to Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wausau: Wausau club renovations
- $30,000 to Performing Arts Foundation Inc, Wausau: July 1, 2023 - june 30, 2024
How to apply: Www.providingopportunities.org
Restrictions: Generally central wisconsin geographic region
Frank G & Frieda K Brotz Family Foundation Inc
- $50,000 to John Michael Kohler Arts Center Inc, Sheboygan: Memory of ruth kohler
- $50,000 to Weill Center Foundation Inc, Sheboygan: Repairs and maintenance
- $40,000 to Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Sheboygan: Continued support
How to apply: A written letter giving details of the applicant, its purpose, its intended use of any grant, evidence that shows the applicant is qualified under section 170(c) of the internal revenue code.
Deadlines: None, the grants committee of this private foundation meets periodically.
Restrictions: This private foundation's grants are made to public supported 170(c) internal revenue code qualified organizations; primarily in wisconsin. No grants to individuals or organizations that require "expenditure responsibility under treasury...
Rockwell Automation Charitable Corp
- $215,000 to United Performing Arts Fund Inc, Milwaukee: General Operating Support
- $100,000 to African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee Inc, Milwaukee: General Operating Support
- $100,000 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater Inc, Milwaukee: General Operating Support
How to apply: Applications should be submitted at the following web address: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/news/articles/giving-guidelines.html
Deadlines: Application deadlines are November 1 for payment in March and May 15 for payment in September.
Restrictions: Restrictions or limitations are listed at https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/news/articles/giving-guidelines.html
Pablo Foundation Inc
- $127,800 to Confluence Council Inc, Eau Claire: Pablo center rent
- $10,000 to Stand in the Light Memory Choir Inc, Eau Claire: Encore program
- $10,000 to Confluence Council Inc, Eau Claire: Merely players for ages 15-22
Deadlines: Two (2) grant cycles each year, a spring and fall cycle for grant requests that exceed 10,000. Four
Restrictions: Grants must go to benefit the greater eau claire area, which may include surrounding cities and counties
Generac Foundation Inc
- $75,000 to Gps Education Partners Inc, Waukesha: General & Unrestricted
- $8,600 to Eaa Aviation Foundation Inc, Oshkosh: STEM programs materials
- $7,000 to Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation Inc, Madison: sponsorship of Mess Nights at the Museum 2025
How to apply: generacgives@generac.com
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: No
Harri Hoffmann Family Foundation Inc
- $25,000 to Ruach Inc, Milwaukee: Program support
- $15,000 to Artworks for Milwaukee, Milwaukee: Program support
- $15,000 to Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee: Program support
How to apply: Go to harri hoffmann family foundation website: hhfamilyfoundation.org complete secure online grant application or download pdf application and mail to address indicated.
Deadlines: February 28th for april board consideration; june 30th for august; october 31st for december
Restrictions: No specific limitations
Anon Charitable Trust
- $15,500 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee: Unrestricted charitable grant
- $15,000 to United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee: Unrestricted charitable grant
- $12,000 to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee: Unrestricted charitable grant
How to apply: Letter stating description of agency, summary of project, and evidence that applicant is an irc 509 public charity
Restrictions: Grants only for scientific, literary, educational, or religious purposes to a 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) charity.
Hendricks Family Foundation Inc
- $30,000 to Beloit Art Center, Beloit: Capital campaign
- $29,000 to Beloit International Film Festival, Beloit: Operating support
- $10,000 to Friends of Pbs Wisconsin, Madison: Beloit history film
How to apply: Applications should be submitted through the foundations website, hendricksfamilyfoundation.org. Submission requirements are detailed on the website.
Deadlines: Deadlines change annually and are publicized on the website.
Restrictions: Restrictions and limitations on awards are detailed on the website.
Incrediblebank Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, Madison: Capital campaign
- $15,000 to The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, Madison: Construction camera
- $15,000 to Performing Arts Foundation, Wausau: Broadway series
How to apply: Obtain application from bank and complete by providing basic information outlining the project/program looking for funding and the anticipated budget.
Deadlines: Various deadlines throughout the year.
Kolaga Family Charitable Trust
- $5,000 to Historic Haymarket Milwaukee I Inc, Milwaukee: Operating exp
- $2,500 to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee: Operating exp
- $2,000 to United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee: Greatest need
How to apply: Application should include description and purpose of charitable organization
Restrictions: Grants limited to section 501 (c) (3) charitable organizations
Kikkoman Foods Foundation Inc
- $5,000 to Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee: Annual fund 2024 &2025
- $2,500 to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee: Corporate sponsorship
- $1,500 to United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee: Financial support 2024
How to apply: See attachment 10
Restrictions: See attachment 11
The Lori and David Nicholas Family Foundation Inc
- $75,000 to Door County Bookmobile, Egg Harbor: General opperating support.
- $75,000 to Peninsula School of Art Inc, Fish Creek: To support the artist in residence program and the director salary for the door county...
- $25,000 to Radio Milwaukee, Milwaukee: To support the 'uniquely milwaukee' audio shorts.
How to apply: Type written letter with history and purpose of organization
Restrictions: To 501 (c)(3) exempt organizations and government units
Jek Foundation Inc
- $50,000 to Paine Art Center and Gardens, Oshkosh: Capital campaign
- $20,000 to Eaa Aviation Foundation, Oshkosh: Capital campaign
- $15,000 to Paine Art Center and Gardens, Oshkosh: Unrestricted operating funds
How to apply: Applications must be submitted in writing, preferably by email, along with the name and address of the applicant and a description of how the funds will be used. Jek foundation, inc. Does not respond to phone inquiries regarding prospective grants. Email inquiries may be...
Deadlines: October 31
Jerome J and Dorothy H Holz Family Foundation C/O Donald Tushaus
- $50,000 to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee: Education programming
- $6,500 to Ko-Thi Inc, Milwaukee: Sankofa power hour tutoring program
- $5,000 to Artists Working in Education Inc, Milwaukee: Truck studio program
How to apply: Name, address, phone number, and email address of applicant organization. Name of any affiliated organizations. Purpose for request. Amount requested, amount received from the holz family foundation in the prior year, and other sources of funding. Tax exempt status. Geographic...
Deadlines: Completed grant applications are accepted between january 1st and may 1st in each year.
Restrictions: Grants are made only to operating non-profit organizations exempt from federal taxation under the internal revenue code. Applicant organizations must confirm status as an equal opportunity employer that complies with all laws and...
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