The 1923 Fund is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operating as a 501(c)(3) organization since May 1996. The foundation manages substantial assets and distributes grants to various organizations across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$5.9M
+59.9% YoY
Grant Count
22
+37.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$270K
+16.3% YoY
Grantmaking
The 1923 Fund makes grants to a range of organizations. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
of approximately $103,000 and maximum grant of $1.1 million
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, including:
- Alexandria
- Fish Creek
- Gainesville
- Green Bay
- Madison
- Milwaukee
- New York
- Washington
The fund also supports work in the states of DC, Florida, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $86.1 million
- Total Revenue: $25.8 million
- Total Expenses: $7.13 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $67.5 million
- Total Revenue: $12.4 million
- Total Expenses: $4.2 million
- Total Grants and Contributions: $10.8 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Florida Foundation ($1,634,826), University of Wisconsin Green Bay ($1,190,515), National Railroad Museum Inc ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER EVERETT, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $150,000 |
| ALACHUA CONSERVATION TRUST GAINESVILLE, FL | GENERAL OPERATING | $200,000 |
| BRAIN CENTER OF GREEN BAY GREEN BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GREEN BAY GREEN BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $1,190,515 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ST JOSEPH, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $61,500 |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION GAINSVILLE, FL | GENERAL OPERATING | $1,634,826 |
| SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH WASHINGTON DC, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $83,000 |
| BAIRD CREEK PRESERVATION FOUNDATION GREEN BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| DOOR COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $75,000 |
| WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $166,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- US Bank — Trustee
- Steven P. Dhein — Chief Advisor
- David H. Cofrin — Co-Advisor
- Robert Howe — Advisor
- Cindy Follick — Secretary
- Ellen Weidner — Advisor
- Sam Goforth — Advisor
- Ed Poppell — Advisor
- David Ward — Advisor
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| US BANK | TRUSTEE | 40 | $313,549 |
| DAVID H COFRIN | CO-ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT HOWE | CHIEF ADVISOR | 1 | $51,086 |
| CINDY FOLLICK | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ELLEN WEIDNER | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| SAM GOFORTH | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| ED POPPELL | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID WARD | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| BARZELLA PAPA | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The 1923 Fund has supported significant research initiatives, including a $2.5 million grant for bladder cancer research.
$2.5 million grant from the 1923 Fund for bladder cancer researchSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from 1923 Fund?
The 1923 Fund makes grants to a range of organizations. Recent grant activity includes: • **Grant Distribution**: Made 15-16 grants in 2023, with a median grant size of approximately $103,000 and maximum grant of $1.1 million • **Recent Grantees**: The University of Florida Foundation received multiple grants totaling $1,571,140 in 2023; Lakeshore CAP of Wisconsin received $200,000 • **Annual Giving**: Distributed approximately $3.8 million in 2023, with $5.9 million in total giving across rece…
Where does 1923 Fund make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, including: • Alexandria • Fish Creek • Gainesville • Green Bay • Madison • Milwaukee • New York • Washington The fund also supports work in the states of DC, Florida, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
What size grants does 1923 Fund award?
In 2024, 1923 Fund awarded 22 grants totaling $5.9M — an average of about $270K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is 1923 Fund's EIN?
1923 Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7070455. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in 1923 Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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