Aylward Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Appleton, WI EIN: 39-6042143

The Aylward Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including youth services, education, environmental conservation, and animal welfare.

Key facts about Aylward Family Foundation

In short: Aylward Family Foundation gave $424K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in Wisconsin. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
39-6042143
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$424,000
Grants made (2024)
16
Average grant
$26,500
Median grant
$10,000
New grantees (estimate)
31% first-time grantees (5 of 16, 2024; small sample)
Total assets
$5,456,126
Primary geography
Wisconsin (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The filing lists EW Aylward, President, as the contact and requests a letter describing the details of need. Full details ↓
Deadline
October 31.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.5M

-3.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$424K

+105.8% YoY

Grant Count

16

-5.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$27K

+118.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Aylward Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $278K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Aylward Family Foundation open to new grantees?

31%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 5 of 16 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $32K. How we count

Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 155% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement is provided. The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for at-risk youth and their families, youth programs, education, environmental education and conservation, animal welfare, healthy communities, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Grantee descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Trees for Tomorrow describes its mission as “education for the conservation of natural resources,” while the International Crane Foundation says it works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. Wayland Academy says it prepares students for college and beyond through a liberal arts curriculum and programs focused on knowledge and character. The Humane Society of Pagosa Springs describes its work as providing a safe haven for animals, promoting adoptions, reuniting lost animals with owners, and reducing pet overpopulation through education and spay/neuter programs. The Garden Club of Palm Beach says it educates members and the community and maintains and restores town beautification projects.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 16 grants totaling $424,000. Awards ranged from $2,000 to $175,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $175,000 to Rawhide-Operating for at-risk youth and their families; $50,000 to the Garden Club of Palm Beach for horticultural and environmental conservation programs; $40,000 to Trees for Tomorrow for environmental education; $35,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Neenah for youth programs; and $27,500 to Wayland Academy for education. Other grants included $25,000 to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and $10,000 each to United Way Palm Beach, United Way of Fox Cities, Hazelden, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Review Cycle

October 31.

How to Apply

The filing lists EW Aylward, President, as the contact and requests a letter describing the details of need. It states that no grants are made to individuals and that grants are generally made to pre-selected charities; it also says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Aylward Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, Wisconsin organizations received 70% of grant dollars, Florida organizations 14%, Colorado organizations 14%, and Minnesota organizations 2%.

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.

Cities

MenashaAppletonMilwaukeePalm BeachColorado SpringsBarabooBeaver DamCenter CityNew LondonRacineNeenahWoodland HillsEagle RiverThree LakesAlamosaLittletonPagosa SpringsRiponStaten IslandWashington

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K15 grants2020 21 grants2021 14 grants2022 17 grants2023 16 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $126K (2022) to $424K (2024). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $424K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Rawhide- Operating: $175KRawhide- Operating$175KThe Garden Club of Palm Beach: $50KThe Garden Club of Palm Beach$50KTrees for Tomorrow: $40KTrees for Tomorrow$40KBoys & Girls Club of Neenah: $35KBoys & Girls Club of Neenah$35KWayland Academy: $28KWayland Academy$28KHSPPR- Humane Society of Pikes: $25KHSPPR- Humane Society of Pikes$25KUnited Way Palm Beach: $10KUnited Way Palm Beach$10KUnited Way of Fox Cities: $10KUnited Way of Fox Cities$10KHazelden: $10KHazelden$10KCheyenne Mountain Zoo: $10KCheyenne Mountain Zoo$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Rawhide- Operating ($175K). Together the top 10 received $393K.

Grant Size Distribution

83 grants across all recorded years

80<$50K2$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 80 grants of 83 (96%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Rawhide- Operating New London, WITo Support at Risk Youths and Their Families$175,000
The Garden Club of Palm Beach Palm Beach, FLTo Support Horticultural and Environmental Conservation Programs$50,000
Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WITo Support Environmental Education$40,000
Boys & Girls Club of Neenah Appleton, WITo Support Youth Programs$35,000
Wayland Academy Beaver Dam, WITo Support Education$27,500
HSPPR- Humane Society of Pikes Colorado Springs, COTo Support the Humane Society$25,000
United Way Palm Beach Palm Beach, FLTo Support Education and Healthy Communities$10,000
United Way of Fox Cities Menasha, WITo Support Education and Healthy Communities$10,000
Hazelden Center City, MNTo Support Drug and Alcoholism Rehabilitation$10,000
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Colorado Springs, COTo Support Animal Welfare Programs$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Grant total Number of grants
2024 $424,000 16
2023 $206,000 17
2022 $126,000 14
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$5,456,126$5,623,950$2,588,357
Revenue$279,860$3,265,669$20,630
Expenses$447,684$230,076$139,324
Qualifying Distributions$431,418$214,888$130,652
Net Investment Income$267,432$175,330$65,226
Distributable Amount$277,752$207,144$129,956

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 29, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 23, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists EW Aylward as President, AA Aylward as Vice President, and RJ Aylward as Secretary/Treasurer.

Aylward Family Foundation is led by Ew Aylward, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Ew Aylward

    President

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Aa Aylward

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rj Aylward

    Secretary & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Application contact: Ew Aylward - President Aylward Fami
Mailing address: 200 E Washington St, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (920) 731-8111

Frequently asked questions about Aylward Family Foundation

How much does Aylward Family Foundation give each year?

Aylward Family Foundation gave $424K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $206K across 17 grants.

What is Aylward Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Aylward Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $26,500, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Aylward Family Foundation that year got $14K on average.

Where does Aylward Family Foundation give grants?

Aylward Family Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (14%) and Colorado (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Colorado Springs, CO (3 grants), Palm Beach, FL (2 grants) and Appleton, WI (2 grants).

Does Aylward Family Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Aylward Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Animal Welfare Programs" (4 grants).

Who are Aylward Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Aylward Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Rawhide- Operating ($175,000), The Garden Club of Palm Beach ($50,000) and Trees for Tomorrow ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Aylward Family Foundation?

Aylward Family Foundation reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $431K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $278K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Aylward Family Foundation fund?

No mission statement is provided. The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for at-risk youth and their families, youth programs, education, environmental education and conservation, animal welfare, healthy communities, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Aylward Family Foundation?

The filing lists EW Aylward, President, as the contact and requests a letter describing the details of need. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Aylward Family Foundation's EIN?

Aylward Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6042143. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Aylward Family Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Aylward Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Wisconsin

Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Inc

Appleton, WI

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region funds arts and culture, education, health, human services, community improvement, the environment, and other community needs, primarily in four Wisconsin counties and the Neenah-Menasha area. Its 2024 grants had a median of $24,900, though awards varied widely; some donor-initiated funds accept grant requests, and the Community Vision Fund typically uses an application process.

Assets

$536.6M

Grants

448

Total Given

$32.4M

Alliant Energy Foundation Inc

Madison, WI

Assets

$28.5M

Grants

929

Total Given

$2.4M

Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Corporation

Oshkosh, WI

The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation funds charitable and educational work, including community programs, education, health and human services, recreation, and economic development, in Winnebago and Waushara counties, Green Lake County, and the City of Ripon, Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,250 to $1 million, with a median of $18,550. It offers competitive grant programs and encourages applicants to discuss ideas with the foundation; the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund is invitation-only.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$200.8M

Grants

126

Total Given

$8.2M

Herbert H Kohl Charities Inc

Milwaukee, WI

Herbert H Kohl Charities funds charitable organizations, with its affiliated philanthropy emphasizing education, civic engagement, and community initiatives in Milwaukee and Wisconsin; most 2025 grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $5,000, and Homegrown Grants offer up to $5,000. It makes contributions only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.6M

Grants

258

Total Given

$14.2M

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing

Appleton, WI

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing distributes donor-directed and program donations to a broad range of causes and organizations in local, national, and global communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $11,520 and ranged from $5,006 to $5 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$939.7M

Grants

2,565

Total Given

$84.6M

Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc

Milwaukee, WI

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds nonprofit programs, projects, general operations and capital needs, with priorities including early childhood education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and scientific research. Its competitive grants primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties; in 2024, the median grant was about $27,800, though awards varied widely. It runs competitive grant cycles, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

838

Total Given

$66.8M

Give Back Foundation

Madison, WI

Give Back Foundation distributes donor-designated contributions through workplace giving and other giving platforms to selected 501(c)(3) charities, rather than setting its own cause areas. In 2025, grants had a median of $9,066, with recipient organizations concentrated in Virginia, California, and Washington, D.C.; it does not accept unsolicited requests or work directly with charities.

Assets

$31.3M

Grants

639

Total Given

$40.1M

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc

Milwaukee, WI

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County funds local human services and community programs focused on housing stability, digital access, employment, teen mental wellness, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2 million, with a median of about $34,000, and most funding went to Wisconsin, especially its four-county region. It requires a Letter of Intent before a full application; the listed 2026–27 Letter of Intent deadline has passed.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$50.8M

Grants

639

Total Given

$42.7M

Green Bay Packers Foundation

Green Bay, WI

The Green Bay Packers Foundation funds Wisconsin charities working in areas such as families, athletics, children’s safety and education, animal welfare, and other focus areas that vary by year. Its 2026 announcement describes typical awards of $3,000–$8,000, though some grants are larger; it accepts online applications during its stated cycle, February 2–April 1, 2026.

Assets

$57.2M

Grants

530

Total Given

$3.6M

Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation

Mequon, WI

The AB Nicholas Scholarship Foundation funds renewable, need-based college scholarships for Wisconsin high school seniors who played on or managed their school basketball team and plan to attend a University of Wisconsin System institution. Awards are typically $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years; applications are submitted online during the stated February 1–April 30 application period.

Assets

$56.9M

Grants

445

Total Given

$3.5M

Mufg Union Bank Foundation Ag

Milwaukee, WI

The foundation’s 2022 grants supported work in economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, affordable housing, conservation, small-business procurement, and education, with examples in Georgia and California. It gave 441 grants totaling $8,518,500 in 2022, including awards from $45,000 to $200,000, but reported no grants in its 2023 final return. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.8M

Grants

441

Total Given

$8.5M

More Funders in Wisconsin

Aylward Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?