Backus Family Foundation Inc
Backus Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Waunakee, Wisconsin. It supports charitable organizations through grants; in 2024, it reported awarding 48 grants to strengthen communities through targeted philanthropic support.
Backus Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Backus Family Foundation Inc gave $27K across 48 grants in 2024 (avg $565.125), top state Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $27,126
- +141.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 48
- +26.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $565
- +90.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250
- Total assets
- $474,563
- +3.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Backus Family Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 217, Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: (608) 347-2930
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Backus Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nanostead Foundation DBA Marshall Relief Alliance ($10K). Together the top 10 received $16K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($1,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
263 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 263 grants of 263 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Wisconsin recipients received 38% of grant dollars and North Carolina recipients received 37%. Florida received 9%, while Virginia and Michigan each received 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Backus Family Foundation Inc gives
- 43% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 165% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2023) to $27K (2024). In 2024 it made 48 grants totaling $27K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nanostead Foundation DBA Marshall Relief Alliance Marshall, NC | Marshall Relief Alliance | $10,000 |
| Faith Congregational Church Wilton, WI | General Support | $1,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $1,500 |
| Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation Pittsville, WI | General Support | $1,000 |
| Wilton Hillside Cemetery Wilton, WI | General Support | $1,000 |
| Mercy Chefs Portsmouth, VA | General Support | $521 |
| Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc La Crosse, WI | Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Fund | $518 |
| International Crane Foundation Baraboo, WI | General Support | $515 |
| Three Pillars Senior Living Communities Dousman, WI | Resident Support Fund Health Carecenter | $515 |
| Wisconsin Masonic Center Foundation Inc Madison, WI | General Support | $515 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $474,563 | $63,271 | $49,219 | $27,126 | 48 | $47,313 | $13,259 | $28,621 |
| 2023 | $460,511 | $51,314 | $23,485 | $11,247 | 38 | $13,343 | $9,998 | $25,217 |
| 2022 | $432,682 | $49,143 | $24,103 | $21,860 | 63 | $23,750 | $8,913 | $24,997 |
| 2021 | $407,642 | $34,146 | $24,494 | $21,490 | 63 | $24,099 | $8,845 | $25,507 |
| 2020 | $394,411 | $31,764 | $21,651 | $19,395 | 51 | — | $6,764 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Backus Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $29K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its mission is to strengthen communities through targeted philanthropic support. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including disaster response, health care, wildlife conservation, adoption, religious activity, and community support. These are examples reflected in the grants, not stated funding priorities.
Among its grantees, Mercy Chefs says it provides meals to people affected by disasters and emergencies and serves underserved communities. The International Crane Foundation says it works to conserve cranes and the ecosystems on which they depend. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption describes its work as finding permanent homes for children waiting in foster care. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation says it supports improvements in patients’ and the wider community’s lives through medical education, research, outreach, and philanthropy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 48 grants totaling $27,126. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $10,000, with a median of $250. Its largest reported grant was $10,000 to Nanostead Foundation DBA Marshall Relief Alliance in Marshall, North Carolina, for the Marshall Relief Alliance.
Other notable 2024 grants included $1,000 each to Faith Congregational Church for general support, an individual recipient Trempealeau School District for the Alan Bratberg Scholarship Fund, Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation for general support, and Wilton Hillside Cemetery for general support. The foundation also gave $521 to Mercy Chefs for general support and $518 to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Douglas A. Backus as president, Diana D. Backus as vice president, and Bret Backus as secretary.
Backus Family Foundation Inc is led by Douglas A. Backus, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Douglas A. Backus
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana D. Backus
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bret Backus
Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Claudia S. Blum (2020–2021) — Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about Backus Family Foundation Inc
How much does Backus Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Backus Family Foundation Inc gave $27K across 48 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11K across 38 grants.
What is Backus Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Backus Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $250, and its average grant was $565, across 48 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Backus Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Backus Family Foundation Inc's top state is Wisconsin, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (37%) and Florida (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (6 grants), Fort Myers, FL (5 grants), Stoughton, WI (3 grants) and Wilton, WI (2 grants).
Does Backus Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Backus Family Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (42 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Backus Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Backus Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Nanostead Foundation DBA Marshall Relief Alliance ($10,000), Faith Congregational Church ($1,000) and Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($1,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Backus Family Foundation Inc?
Backus Family Foundation Inc reported $475K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $29K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Backus Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to strengthen communities through targeted philanthropic support. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including disaster response, health care, wildlife conservation, adoption, religious activity, and community support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Backus Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Backus Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Backus Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0513483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Backus Family Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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