The BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation is a private independent foundation established in Wisconsin in 1998 and tax-exempt since April 1999. Based in Wausau, Wisconsin, the foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to building a thriving North Central Wisconsin through opportunity and community engagement.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.2M
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
77
+5.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-3.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to build a thriving North Central Wisconsin through opportunity. The foundation focuses its grantmaking across four primary areas:
- Arts
- Education
- Health
- Economic and Social Development
The foundation emphasizes fostering collaboration and innovation to create a more connected, vibrant future for the region, with a belief in the power of growth to transform communities.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with typical awards ranging from $500,000 to $600,000. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
How to Apply
through its website at providingopportunities.org, with sections for returning grant users and eligibility screening.
Ready to take the next step with Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on North Central Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on the Wausau area and surrounding region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $72.7 million (as of 2023)
- Total Liabilities: $3.58 million (as of 2023)
- Annual Revenue: $3.03 million (2023)
- Annual Expenses: $4.89 million (2023)
- Total Giving: Approximately $2.24 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
248 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include County of Marathon ($334,000), Medical College of Wisconsin ($150,000), Children's Service Society of Wisconsin Dba Children's Hospital of Wiscons ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION MILWAUKEE, WI | JULY 1, 2024- JUNE 30, 2025 | $30,000 |
| ASSET BUILDERS MADISON, WI | 2024-25 WAUSAU REGIONAL FINANCE AND INVESTMENT CHALLENGE BOWL | $3,500 |
| AUDIO & BRAILLE ENHANCEMENT INC (ABLE) MILWAUKEE, WI | AUDIOBOOKS FOR PEOPLE IN MARATHON COUNTY WHO ARE BLIND OR PRINT DISABLED | $3,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHCENTRAL WISCONSIN WAUSAU, WI | JANUARY 1, 2024 - DECEMBER 31, 2024 | $30,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WAUSAU AREA WAUSAU, WI | JANUARY 1, 2024 - DECEMBER 31, 2024 | $30,000 |
| CASA OF MARATHON COUNTY INC WAUSAU, WI | CASA OF MARATHON COUNTY (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES) EXPANSION | $30,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES LA CROSSE, WI | JANUARY 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025 | $35,000 |
| CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS WAUSAU, WI | CVA GIFT SHOP REVAMP | $9,000 |
| CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS WAUSAU, WI | OCTOBER 1ST 2024 - SEPTEMBER 30TH 2025 | $30,000 |
| CFONCW BA & ESTHER GREENHECK FOUNDATION FEEDING CHILDREN FUND WAUSAU, WI | JULY 2024 TO JUNE 2025 | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Pam Jackson – CEO
- Barb Brown – Vice President
- Jenn Golbach – Director of Community Volunteer Engagement
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN GUMNESS | COMMUNITY PROGRAM OFFICER | 20 | $61,200 |
| PAMELA JACKSON | CEO | 40 | $137,500 |
| BARBARA BROWN | VICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $100,000 |
| MARK J BRADLEY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| PETER DODSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| AMY EBELING | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DONALD L GRADE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SANDRA L GUMNESS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JON A JACKSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DAVID JOHNSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JEAN C TEHAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has recently launched a centralized volunteer engagement hub initiative, described as a new model for foundation engagement with volunteers. This initiative moves beyond traditional online sign-up software to emphasize personal connection and recognition of both volunteers and volunteer coordinators. The model is being developed as a potential national blueprint for nonprofit collaboration.
Good News Project, donation, BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation, capital campaignContact Information
B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation
500 First Street, Suite 5 – Tenth Floor
Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: (715) 842-3700
Fax: (715) 842-7300
Email: info@greenheckfoundation.org
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 AM – 4 PM; Friday by appointment
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to build a thriving North Central Wisconsin through opportunity. The foundation focuses its grantmaking across four primary areas: • Arts • Education • Health • Economic and Social Development The foundation emphasizes fostering collaboration and innovation to create a more connected, vibrant future for the region, with a belief in the power of growth to transform communities.
How do I apply for a grant from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with typical awards ranging from $500,000 to $600,000. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • Total giving of approximately $2.24 million in recent years • Multiple grant opportunities available, including grants above $5,000 and under $5,000 • Recent grants include $100,000 to Good News Project for a capital campaign and $50,000 to Childcaring The foundation maintains an online grant application process through its website at providingopportunities.org, …
Where does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on North Central Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on the Wausau area and surrounding region.
What size grants does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation award?
In 2024, Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation awarded 77 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's EIN?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1937735. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation'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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