Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
The BA & Esther Greenheck Foundation is a private foundation based in Wausau, Wisconsin. It supports projects in North Central Wisconsin, with grant programs addressing arts, education, health, economic development, and social development.
Key facts about Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
In short: Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation gave $2.2M across 77 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in Wisconsin. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 39-1937735
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,238,955
- Grants made (2024)
- 77
- Average grant
- $29,077
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (34 of 71, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The 2024 filing directs applicants to an online grant application and identifies the application materials as available through the foundation’s application site. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 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 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.2M
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
77
+5.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-3.6% YoY
Is Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 34 of 71 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s grant programs identify arts, education, health, economic development, and social development as areas its funding supports. Its 2024 grants show support for projects including regional public safety facilities, child care and early learning, health care, history, gardens, arts, and community facilities.
The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations it has supported. The Marathon County Historical Society says it works to promote the study of local history and preserve historical records and objects. Childcaring Inc says it provides child care referrals and assistance and training for providers. Wausau Child Care Inc says it works to strengthen child development, families, and the community through access to early learning. Other 2024 recipients included organizations whose stated missions address housing, services for people affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, cultural experiences, visual arts, and youth mentoring.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 77 grants totaling $2,238,955. Awards ranged from $500 to $334,000, with a median grant of $15,000. The largest awards included $334,000 to County of Marathon for the Marathon County Regional Forensic Science Center and $150,000 to Medical College of Wisconsin for student travel and housing support in Central Wisconsin. Other notable awards included $100,000 each to Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin for a school-readiness project, Marathon County Historical Society, Robert W. Monk Gardens, and Saint Vincent de Paul Cabrini Conference.
Review Cycle
on the last Wednesday of the relevant month. As of September 28, 2026, the next listed deadlines are September 30 and November 25 for the above-$5,000 program; the under-$5,000 program lists a monthly deadline, with September 30 the next one.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant programs describe a focus on North Central Wisconsin, while its 2024 filing says awards are generally restricted to the Central Wisconsin geographic region. All grant dollars itemized in the 2024 filing went to recipients in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 77 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2022) to $3.6M (2021). In 2024 it made 77 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was County of Marathon ($334K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
365 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 303 grants of 365 (83%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| County of Marathon Wausau, WI | Marathon County Regional Forensic Science Center | $334,000 |
| Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | MCW-Central WI Student Travel and Housing Support | $150,000 |
| Children's Service Society of Wisconsin DBA Children's Hospital of Wiscons Wausau, WI | Start right: developing safe, healthy, school-ready children in Marathon county (SR) | $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 |
| Saint Vincent Depaul Cabrini Conference Wausau, WI | St Vincent De Paul Parking Lot Capital Expense | $100,000 |
| Childcaring Inc Mosinee, WI | Good Start Grants | $75,000 |
| City of Wausau Fire Department Wausau, WI | Wausau Fire Department Mechanical CPR Devices | $55,000 |
| Children's Service Society of Wisconsin DBA Children's Hospital of Wiscons Wausau, WI | Children's Wisconsin child advocacy center (CAC) serving Marathon county | $50,000 |
| Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin Wausau, WI | Community Arts Grants 2024/25 | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants awarded | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,238,955 | 77 |
| 2023 | $2,201,345 | 73 |
| 2022 | $1,433,425 | 48 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Pamela Jackson as CEO and Barbara Brown as Vice President of Administration. It also lists Brian Gumness as Community Program Officer and the following trustees: 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 since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Pamela Jackson
CEO
Executive Director & Trustee → Executive Director, 2022
Executive Director → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$80K (2020) → $138K (2024)
David Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald L. Grade
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
Barbara Brown
Vice President Administration
Operations Administrator & Trustee → Director of Operations, 2022
Director of Operations → Vice President Administration, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$61K (2020) → $100K (2024)
Brian Gumness
Community Program Officer
CEO & Trustee → CEO, 2022
CEO → Community Program Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$120K (2020) → $61K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $138K, to Pamela Jackson (CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Online Grant Application
Mailing address: 500 First Street Suite 5 10Th Floor, Wausau, WI 54403-4871
Phone: (715) 842-3700
Email: www.providingopportunities.org
Frequently asked questions about Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation
How much does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation give each year?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation gave $2.2M across 77 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 73 grants.
What is Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's typical grant size?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $29,077, across 77 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. 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: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wausau, WI (50 grants), Milwaukee, WI (4 grants), Mosinee, WI (3 grants) and Rothschild, WI (3 grants).
Does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 77) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Recurring purposes include "January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024" (5 grants) and "July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025" (3 grants).
Who are Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's largest grantees?
Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include County of Marathon ($334,000), Children's Service Society of Wisconsin DBA Children's Hospital of Wiscons ($150,000 across 2 grants) and Medical College of Wisconsin ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation fund?
The foundation’s grant programs identify arts, education, health, economic development, and social development as areas its funding supports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ba & Esther Greenheck Foundation?
The 2024 filing directs applicants to 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 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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