Big Unit Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Waukesha, WI EIN: 99-2481073

Big Unit Foundation is a private foundation, based in Waukesha, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $52K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $28K.

Key facts about Big Unit Foundation

In short: Big Unit Foundation gave $28K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $28K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
99-2481073
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$28,366
Grants made (2025)
1
Average grant
$28,366
Median grant
$28,366
Total assets
$51,788
Primary geography
Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$52K

+193.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$28K

+2478.7% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$28K

+2478.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Big Unit Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Big Unit Foundation?

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

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

States

Cities

Milwaukee

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K1 grant2024 1 grant2025

From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2024) to $28K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $28K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2025

Fisher House Wisconsin: $28KFisher House Wisconsin$28K

The largest 2025 recipient was Fisher House Wisconsin ($28K).

Grant Size Distribution

2 grants across all recorded years

2<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 2 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Fisher House Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIDonation$28,366

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
$0$20K$40K$60K2024 2025
Metric20252024
Total Assets$51,788$17,675
Revenue$51,788$19,386
Expenses$36,078$1,711
Distributable Amount$1,235$280

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2026)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 20, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Big Unit Foundation is led by Bill Michaels, President on every filing since 2024; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Bill Michaels

    President

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ben Jarvis

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Christen Meyer

    Vice President

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Deb Wolf

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • James Mercado

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Jeffery Beine

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • John Atlee

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Turowski

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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 Big Unit Foundation

How much does Big Unit Foundation give each year?

Big Unit Foundation gave $28K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1K across 1 grant.

How large is Big Unit Foundation?

Big Unit Foundation reported $52K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $52K.

Where does Big Unit Foundation operate?

Big Unit Foundation has awarded grants in Wisconsin.

How much is Big Unit Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Big Unit Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Big Unit Foundation's EIN?

Big Unit Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-2481073. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Big Unit Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Big Unit Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common

Madison Professional Police Officers Association Inc

Madison, WI

The Madison Professional Police Officers Association represents law enforcement professionals who serve the city of madison Wisconsin as either police officers, detectives, investigators or sergeants.

Assets

$319K

Grants

1

Total Given

$16K

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Saint Louis, MO

Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.

Assets

$594.3M

Grants

1

Total Given

$101.4M

170 Freedom Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee Inc

Milwaukee, WI

To lessen the burdens of government by working with and supporting the efforts of the city of milwaukee, Wisconsin to promote economic development and tourism in the milwaukee metropolitan area, specifically in connection with the 2024 republican national convention.

Assets

—

Grants

1

Total Given

$5.8M

Pfister & Vogel Tanning CO Fdn

Milwaukee, WI

Assets

$378K

Grants

4

Total Given

$17K

TC Energy Foundation

Houston, TX

The TC Energy Foundation supported charities in safety, education, the environment, and resilient communities, but it ceased grantmaking after distributing its assets in 2023. Its 2023 grants totaled $1.29 million across seven recipients, with no typical grant size established; it states that it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

—

Grants

7

Total Given

$1.3M

Crowley Family Foundation Inc

Stoughton, WI

Assets

$256K

Grants

8

Total Given

$32K

Schaefer Family Charitable Trust

Madison, WI

The Schaefer Family Charitable Trust supports community needs including homelessness, education, food assistance, and emergency services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $12,000, with a median of $5,000, and went primarily to Wisconsin organizations. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.5M

Grants

10

Total Given

$58K

Warden Family Foundation Inc

West Allis, WI

The Warden Family Foundation supports a range of community programs; its 2025 grants included equine therapy, housing, and lodging for people facing medical travel. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with a median of $7,500, and went mainly to Wisconsin, as well as Texas and Minnesota. It accepts requests: applicants should contact Arlene Warden with a letter explaining how the funds would be used; no deadline is listed.

Assets

$2.6M

Grants

12

Total Given

$160K

Pearson Family Foundation

Mequon, WI

The Pearson Family Foundation supports charitable organizations, including food, arts and cultural, wildlife, and other causes; most 2025 grant dollars went to Wisconsin, with some funding in California, Minnesota, and Iowa. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,650 to $37,100, with a median of $10,600. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.0M

Grants

12

Total Given

$159K

King Ranch Foundation Inc

Box Elder, SD

The King Ranch Foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including those serving youth, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, and people facing hunger or addiction. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $6,000, with a median of $1,500, and went mainly to organizations in Wisconsin, with others in Virginia, South Dakota, Kansas, and Illinois. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$456K

Grants

15

Total Given

$31K

Abbot Machine Company Charitable

Sussex, WI

Assets

$153K

Grants

15

Total Given

$26K

Debbink Family Foundation Inc

Oconomowoc, WI

The foundation supports charitable organizations, including community, veterans, health, senior-services, and social-service groups, primarily in Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $210,000, with a median grant of $5,000; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.6M

Grants

24

Total Given

$471K

More Funders in Wisconsin

Big Unit Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?