Chapman Foundation
The Alvah & Wyline Chapman Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) philanthropic foundation established in 1967 to honor the legacy of Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman. The foundation awards grants twice yearly to support non-profit organizations working in children and families, education, substance abuse prevention, multicultural understanding, homeless services, and natural and historical conservation. Grants are primarily awarded in communities where the foundation's family members and directors reside or have been involved.
Chapman Foundation at a glance
In short: Chapman Foundation gave $100K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $100,000
- -48.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,333
- -48.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $482,520
- -4.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Chapman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Junior League of Milwaukee ($70K). Together the top 3 received $100K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 28 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chapman Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 218% 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 $100K (2025) to $195K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Junior League of Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI | General Purpose | $70,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast Milwaukee, WI | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Penfield Children's Center Milwaukee, WI | General Purpose | $5,000 |
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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 | $482,520 | $76,648 | $100,025 | $100,000 | 3 | $100,000 | $76,648 | $45,932 |
| 2024 | $505,897 | $64,113 | $195,111 | $195,000 | 3 | $195,000 | $64,113 | $47,875 |
| 2023 | $636,895 | $39,840 | $120,025 | $120,000 | 7 | $120,000 | $39,840 | $43,445 |
| 2022 | $717,080 | $19,154 | $117,026 | $117,000 | 7 | $117,000 | $22,358 | $48,128 |
| 2021 | $814,952 | $65,279 | $130,010 | $130,000 | 8 | $130,000 | $65,279 | $52,066 |
| 2020 | $879,683 | $26,899 | $145,727 | $130,000 | 8 | — | $26,899 | $47,839 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chapman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $46K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Chapman Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Chapman Foundation is a private foundation, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $483K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $100K. Net investment income was $77K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Chapman Foundation is led by V Ross Read III, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
V Ross Read III
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gina M Mittnacht
Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Marion Read
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Cynthia C McKoy (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Thomas M Read (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
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 Chapman Foundation
How much does Chapman Foundation give each year?
Chapman Foundation gave $100K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $195K across 3 grants.
What is Chapman Foundation's typical grant size?
Chapman Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $33,333, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Chapman Foundation give grants?
Chapman Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (3 grants).
Does Chapman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Chapman Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Chapman Foundation?
Chapman Foundation reported $483K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $100K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $46K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Chapman Foundation's EIN?
Chapman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6059569. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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