Black Spring Foundation Inc
Black Spring Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Its 2025 filing reports 12 grants totaling $4,220,000, primarily to organizations in Wisconsin, with additional support to an Illinois organization.
Black Spring Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Black Spring Foundation Inc gave $4.2M across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $352K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,220,000
- +416.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +500.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $351,667
- -13.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $322,500
- Total assets
- $17,512,007
- -14.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Black Spring Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 401 E 8Th St Ste 319, Sioux Falls, SD 57103-7031
Phone: (605) 336-6832
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Black Spring Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dementia Innovations ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 6 grants of 17 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing’s grant dollars were distributed 88% to recipients in Wisconsin and 12% to recipients in Illinois. Listed Wisconsin recipients include organizations in Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Green Bay; the Illinois recipient was Bernie’s Book Bank in Lake Bluff.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Black Spring Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 5571% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 391% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2020) to $4.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dementia Innovations Sheboygan, WI | General Operating | $1,125,000 |
| Bernies Book Bank Lake Bluff, IL | General Operating | $500,000 |
| Sailing Education Assoc Of Sheboygan I Sheboygan, WI | General Operating | $500,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Sheboygan County Sheboygan, WI | General Operating | $450,000 |
| Sheboygan County Food Bank Sheboygan, WI | General Operating | $400,000 |
| Humane Society of Sheboygan County Sheboygan, WI | General Operating | $395,000 |
| SecureFutures Foundation Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Operating | $250,000 |
| Sheboygan County Warming Center & Comm Sheboygan, WI | General Operating | $220,000 |
| HER Alliance Inc Green Bay, WI | General Operating | $175,000 |
| Weill Center Foundation Inc Sheboygan, WI | Weill Center Transformation | $100,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,512,007 | $1,554,688 | $4,399,984 | $4,220,000 | 12 | $4,270,194 | $1,429,193 | $1,091,444 |
| 2024 | $20,363,555 | $4,538,988 | $887,730 | $816,508 | 2 | $816,508 | $601,311 | $935,039 |
| 2023 | $16,725,592 | $552,291 | $141,705 | $98,347 | 1 | $98,347 | $519,152 | $816,508 |
| 2022 | $16,323,744 | $15,085,260 | $82,932 | $74,410 | 1 | $74,410 | $82,238 | $98,347 |
| 2021 | $1,345,119 | $163,921 | $69,939 | $62,863 | 1 | $62,863 | $157,248 | $74,410 |
| 2020 | $1,253,295 | $15,825 | $92,765 | $60,000 | 1 | — | $26,807 | $65,981 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Black Spring Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including dementia support, children’s literacy, food security, financial literacy, performing arts, education, meals, youth services, animal welfare, and community support.
The grantees describe their work in their own terms: Dementia Innovations says it embraces people living with dementia through education, community collaboration, and dignity of risk, with a village planned as part of its work. Bernie’s Book Bank says it supplies children with free, high-quality books to help build home libraries. Sheboygan County Food Bank says it works to increase food security by distributing emergency food and fostering partnerships. SecureFutures says it provides financial literacy programs and resources to help students make sound financial decisions. The Weill Center Foundation says it preserves a historic theater as a performing arts venue and community space. Sheboygan Public Education Foundation says it raises contributions for educational opportunities not supported by the budget. Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County says it provides meals and wellness checks to people unable to obtain or prepare proper meals.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $4,220,000. Grants ranged from $45,000 to $1,125,000, with a median of $322,500. The listed grants were generally for general operating support; exceptions included $100,000 to the Weill Center Foundation for the “Weill Center Transformation” and $60,000 to Sheboygan Public Education Foundation for student scholarships.
Among the largest grants were $1,125,000 to Dementia Innovations, $500,000 to Bernie’s Book Bank, $500,000 to Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, $450,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Sheboygan County, $400,000 to Sheboygan County Food Bank, and $395,000 to Humane Society of Sheboygan County. Other listed grants included $250,000 to SecureFutures Foundation, $220,000 to Sheboygan County Warming Center & Community, $175,000 to HER Alliance, $100,000 to Weill Center Foundation, $60,000 to Sheboygan Public Education Foundation, and $45,000 to Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Heck as President/Treasurer and Nathan Honson as Vice President/Secretary.
Black Spring Foundation Inc is led by David Heck, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2024; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Heck
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Honson
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Natalie A. Black (2020–2024) — President, Treasurer & Director
- Former: Laura E. Kohler (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Herbert V. Kohler Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Black Spring Foundation Inc
How much does Black Spring Foundation Inc give each year?
Black Spring Foundation Inc gave $4.2M across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $817K across 2 grants.
What is Black Spring Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Black Spring Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $322,500, and its average grant was $351,667, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Black Spring Foundation Inc give grants?
Black Spring Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sheboygan, WI (9 grants).
Does Black Spring Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Black Spring Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Black Spring Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Black Spring Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Dementia Innovations ($1,125,000), Bernies Book Bank ($500,000) and Sailing Education Assoc Of Sheboygan I ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Black Spring Foundation Inc?
Black Spring Foundation Inc reported $17.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Black Spring Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including dementia support, children’s literacy, food security, financial literacy, performing arts, education, meals, youth services, animal welfare, and community support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Black Spring Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it 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 Black Spring Foundation Inc's EIN?
Black Spring Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4116554. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Black Spring Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Black Spring Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Black Spring Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/black-spring-foundation-inc-morg_5afe180501ed4e3daf3d1f332599c8c0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_464116554_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Black Spring Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/black-spring-foundation-inc-morg_5afe180501ed4e3daf3d1f332599c8c0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Spring Foundation Inc'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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