Black River Falls Area Foundation
The an individual recipient Falls Area Foundation is a public charity based in an individual recipient Falls, Wisconsin. Founded in 1986, it supports a broad range of community goals and provides grants to organizations benefiting the an individual recipient Falls area, as well as scholarships for students.
Black River Falls Area Foundation at a glance
In short: Black River Falls Area Foundation gave $501K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $36K), mostly in Wisconsin. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $501,392
- +36.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $35,814
- +46.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,123
- Total assets
- $6,221,405
- +10.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (2 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Black River Falls Area Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 99, Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-3113
Website: https://brfareafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Black River Falls Area Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Black River Falls Skyline Golf Course ($223K). Together the top 10 received $469K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($20,245), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 67 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated grant program supports organizations that will benefit the an individual recipient Falls area. Its 2025 reported grant recipients were all in Wisconsin, including recipients in an individual recipient Falls, Hixton, Blair, and Alma Center.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Black River Falls Area Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 13 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $313K (2023) to $711K (2020). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $501K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Black River Falls Skyline Golf Course Black River Falls, WI | Remainder of bev millis donation and remainder of 2 small funds combined, pay off lawn mower loan at ccu from bev millis donation | $223,265 |
| Jackson County Humane Society Black River Falls, WI | Directed Dsbursement from Tim & Kay Finch | $100,000 |
| Black River Falls United Methodist Church Black River Falls, WI | Annual distribution from peter & jone hoffman fund, 2025 foundation grant award, dd from g. Homstad for dinner church | $45,000 |
| City of Black River Falls Public Library Black River Falls, WI | Per board - $15,000 from cof for library hvac, annual history room contribution | $27,000 |
| Mighty Table Black River Falls, WI | DD from Tim & Kay Finch | $19,800 |
| City of Black River Falls Black River Falls, WI | Laufenberg Concrete $9,500; Green Oasis $9,682.48 | $19,182 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $20,245 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County Black River Falls, WI | Annual Distribution from Peter and Jone Hoffman Fund | $10,000 |
| Village of Alma Center Alma Center, WI | For the east lawn cemetery for a new lawn mower | $10,000 |
| JC Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Black River Falls, WI | 2025 Foundation Grant Award | $8,600 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,221,405 | $686,917 | $758,404 | $501,392 | 14 | $291,209 |
| 2024 | $5,625,818 | $661,029 | $630,064 | $366,363 | 15 | $345,507 |
| 2023 | $5,563,799 | $1,116,206 | $492,423 | $313,146 | 11 | $543,777 |
| 2022 | $4,946,835 | $572,364 | $572,094 | $351,565 | 13 | $108,687 |
| 2021 | $5,475,850 | $753,483 | $807,491 | $624,612 | 14 | $90,441 |
| 2020 | $5,573,633 | $492,399 | $867,287 | $710,886 | 17 | $31,825 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it addresses a broad range of community goals rather than concentrating on one issue, adapting support to the changing needs of people who live and work in the an individual recipient Falls area. Its grants include annual awards to applicant organizations and donor-directed distributions from specific funds. It also administers scholarship funds for students.
In 2025, the foundation gave $6,500 to Hixton Volunteer Fire Department. The department describes its mission as protecting lives and property in the local community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $501,392. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $223,265, with a median of $10,122. Notable recipients included the City of an individual recipient Falls Skyline Golf Course ($223,265), Jackson County Humane Society ($100,000), an individual recipient Falls United Methodist Church ($45,000), City of an individual recipient Falls Public Library ($27,000), and Mighty Table ($19,800). All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin.
The foundation’s filing describes two grant routes: annual grants approved by the board for organizations benefiting the an individual recipient Falls area, and grants made upon qualified requests from fund donors. Annual-grant applicants must apply during a designated period; donor-request grants may be requested throughout the year without an application process. The filing also states that grant agreements are signed at distribution and that grantees return an evaluation form when the project is completed, within one year.
The foundation’s website lists scholarships for graduating seniors from Jackson County school districts. The 2025 senior application cycle had a February 28, 2025 deadline and is a past cycle. That application required a completed application, a picture, proof of acceptance or application to a post-secondary institution, and any additional documents required for specific scholarships. The 2026 listing says applications must include a picture and use the foundation’s senior application form and contact information sheet; it directs students to obtain these through their guidance counselor.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brad Chown as chairman, Marianne Torkelson as vice chairman, Ashley Ahl as treasurer, and Kristi Hanson as secretary. Trustees listed are Jim Hoffman, Nicholas Kitowski, Carol Martin, Paul Millis, Jack Taylor, and Mary Beth White-Jacobs.
Black River Falls Area Foundation is led by Julie Murray, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Julie Murray
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$29K (2020) → $22K (2025)
Brad Chown
Chairman
Co-Vice Chairman → Vice Chairman, 2024
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Young
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beth White-Jacobs
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Kitowski
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Hoffman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Millis
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Martin
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Ahl
Treasurer
Trustee → Co-Treasurer, 2021
Co-Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristi Hanson
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marianne Torkelson
Vice Chairman
Trustee → Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Kay A. Finch (2020–2024) — Chairman
- Former: Dave Hoffman (2020–2023) — Co-Vice Chairman
- Former: Michael Dougherty (2020–2023) — Co-Treasurer
- Former: Jim Bible (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Shelly Severson (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Gil Homstad (2020–2021) — Chairman
- Former: Nick Kitowski (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Mahan (2020) — 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 $22K, to Julie Murray (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Black River Falls Area Foundation
How much does Black River Falls Area Foundation give each year?
Black River Falls Area Foundation gave $501K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $366K across 15 grants.
What is Black River Falls Area Foundation's typical grant size?
Black River Falls Area Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,123, and its average grant was $35,814, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Black River Falls Area Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Black River Falls Area Foundation give grants?
Black River Falls Area Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Alma Center, WI (2 grants).
Does Black River Falls Area Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Black River Falls Area Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2025 Foundation Grant Award" (4 grants).
Who are Black River Falls Area Foundation's largest grantees?
Black River Falls Area Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City of Black River Falls Skyline Golf Course ($223,265), Jackson County Humane Society ($100,000) and Black River Falls United Methodist Church ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($20,245), which are not listed by name. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Black River Falls Area Foundation?
Black River Falls Area Foundation reported $6.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $687K.
What does Black River Falls Area Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it addresses a broad range of community goals rather than concentrating on one issue, adapting support to the changing needs of people who live and work in the an individual recipient Falls area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Black River Falls Area Foundation?
Black River Falls Area Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check brfareafoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Black River Falls Area Foundation's EIN?
Black River Falls Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1563654. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 17, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Black River Falls Area Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/black-river-falls-area-foundation-morg_daeb67014629448a90cff7b3215fd7ad
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391563654_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Black River Falls Area Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/black-river-falls-area-foundation-morg_daeb67014629448a90cff7b3215fd7ad},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Black River Falls Area 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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