Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
The BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation is a private foundation based in Wausau, Wisconsin. It supports meaningful projects in North Central Wisconsin that enhance the area’s arts, education, health, economic, and social development.
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation at a glance
In short: Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation gave $2.8M across 91 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Wisconsin. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,802,369
- +25.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 91
- +18.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $30,795
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $76,059,665
- +4.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (20 of 72, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists an online grant application and identifies the application materials as available through the foundation’s application site. Its two grant programs are listed as active in the program information: the under-$5,000 program accepts applications monthly, while the above-$5,000 program accepts applications six times a year. The filing describes award restrictions as generally applying to the Central Wisconsin geographic region.
- Review Cycle
- The under-$5,000 program’s recurring deadline is midnight on the last Wednesday of each month; the next deadline after October 2, 2026 is October 28, 2026. The above-$5,000 program’s recurring deadlines are midnight on the last Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November; the next deadline after October 2, 2026 is November 25, 2026.
- Deadline
- The under-$5,000 program’s recurring deadline is midnight on the last Wednesday of each month; the next deadline after…
- Contact
Application contact: Online Grant Application
Mailing address: 500 First Street Suite 5 10Th Floor, Wausau, WI 54403-4871
Phone: (715) 842-3700
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation Grant: Above $5,000
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
Amount
More than US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation Grant: Under $5,000
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was County of Marathon ($333K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
388 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 314 grants of 388 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant programs describe a focus on North Central Wisconsin, and its 2024 filing says awards are generally restricted to the Central Wisconsin geographic region. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 91 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 20 of 72 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.2M (2023) to $3.6M (2021). In 2025 it made 91 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| County of Marathon Wausau, WI | Marathon County Regional Forensic Science Center | $333,000 |
| Children's Service Society of Wisconsin DBA Children's Hospital of Wiscons Wausau, WI | Children's Wisconsin Wausau Family Resource Center--Parent Aid Program | $100,000 |
| Good News Project Inc Wausau, WI | Good News Project Revised Capital Campaign 2023 | $100,000 |
| Homme Home of Wittenberg DBA Forest Park Village Wausau, WI | Moving up - Phase I | $100,000 |
| Marathon County Historical Society Wausau, WI | Telling Our Stories: the Next 50 Years | $100,000 |
| Robert W Monk Gardens Inc Aka Monk Botanical Gardens Wausau, WI | Visitor and Education Center Phase I | $100,000 |
| Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation Oconomowoc, WI | Mission Possible: Rogers in Wausau | $100,000 |
| Bridge Street Mission Wausau, WI | Emergency Shelter Build Out | $84,000 |
| Childcaring Inc Mosinee, WI | Good Start Grants | $75,000 |
| The Neighbors' Place Inc Wausau, WI | Emergency Food and Basic Needs Grant | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $76,059,665 | $3,774,251 | $6,478,745 | $2,802,369 | 91 | $3,494,967 | $3,123,845 | $3,599,571 |
| 2024 | $72,729,180 | $5,292,529 | $4,413,628 | $2,238,955 | 77 | $2,848,341 | $4,190,643 | $3,450,560 |
| 2023 | $69,248,922 | $3,029,390 | $4,887,959 | $2,201,345 | 73 | $2,692,474 | $2,529,784 | $3,147,113 |
| 2022 | $61,578,392 | $3,454,176 | $2,927,013 | $3,061,075 | 76 | $3,581,416 | $2,754,919 | $3,189,978 |
| 2021 | $76,504,860 | $4,860,362 | $4,574,697 | $3,623,457 | 71 | $4,491,613 | $4,640,757 | $3,603,486 |
| 2020 | $72,122,852 | $4,164,586 | $3,102,304 | $2,474,267 | 96 | — | $3,983,696 | $3,112,930 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s grant programs describe support for projects that enhance arts, education, health, economic development, and social development in North Central Wisconsin.
Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in a range of areas. For example, the Marathon County Historical Society says its mission is to promote the study of local history and preserve historical records and objects. Childcaring Inc says it provides child-care referrals for parents and assistance and training for providers. The Women’s Community says it serves people in Central Wisconsin affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 77 grants totaling $2,238,955. Grants ranged from $500 to $334,000, with a median grant of $15,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 91 grants totaling $2.8 million.
The largest 2024 grant was $334,000 to the County of Marathon for the Marathon County Regional Forensic Science Center. Other notable awards included $150,000 to the Medical College of Wisconsin for student travel and housing support in Central Wisconsin; $100,000 each to the Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin for its Start Right initiative, the Marathon County Historical Society, Robert W. Monk Gardens, and Saint Vincent de Paul Cabrini Conference; and $75,000 to Childcaring Inc for Good Start Grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Pamela Jackson as CEO, Brian Gumness as community program officer, and Barbara Brown as vice president of administration. Listed trustees are Mark J. Bradley, Peter Dodson, Amy Ebeling, Donald L. Grade, Sandra L. Gumness, Jon A. Jackson, and David Johnson.
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation is led by Pamela Jackson, CEO & Trustee since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Pamela Jackson
CEO & Trustee
Executive Director → CEO, 2023
CEO → CEO & Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$80K (2020) → $170K (2025)
Brian Gumness
Trustee
CEO → Community Program Officer, 2023
Community Program Officer → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$120K (2020) → $0 (2025)
David Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean C. Tehan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon A. Jackson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark J. Bradley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra L. Gumness
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Ebeling
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Dodson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Coenen
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Brown
Vice President
Director of Operations → Vice President Administration, 2023
Vice President Administration → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$61K (2020) → $116K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Donald L. Grade (2020–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $170K, to Pamela Jackson (CEO/Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
How much does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation give each year?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation gave $2.8M across 91 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.2M across 77 grants.
What is Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's typical grant size?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $30,795, across 91 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation that year got $26K on average.
Where does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation give grants?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wausau, WI (61 grants), Milwaukee, WI (5 grants), Weston, WI (3 grants) and Louisville, KY (3 grants).
Does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 21% of Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 91) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Purchase Food" (8 grants).
Who are Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's largest grantees?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include County of Marathon ($333,000), Bridge Street Mission ($184,000 across 3 grants) and Children's Service Society of Wisconsin DBA Children's Hospital of Wiscons ($150,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation reported $76.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation fund?
The foundation’s grant programs describe support for projects that enhance arts, education, health, economic development, and social development in North Central Wisconsin. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation?
The filing lists an online grant application and identifies the application materials as available through the foundation’s application site. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 2, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ba-and-esther-greenheck-foundation-morg_21d610091c4c4298ac7fca26b855a2d7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391937735_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ba \& Esther Greenheck Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ba-and-esther-greenheck-foundation-morg_21d610091c4c4298ac7fca26b855a2d7},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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