Cremer Foundation
Cremer Foundation is a private foundation based in Eagan, Minnesota. Its 2025 filing lists a Madison, Wisconsin-area restriction on awards, and its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including housing, youth services, food assistance, education, and community activities.
Cremer Foundation at a glance
In short: Cremer Foundation gave $362K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Wisconsin. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $362,111
- +8.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,117
- -15.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $1,223,946
- -10.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (6 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (76% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cremer Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: James Berkenstadt
Mailing address: 211 S Paterson St Suite 120, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 250-2627
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cremer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bayview Foundation ($50K). Together the top 10 received $307K.
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 81 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing lists the Madison, Wisconsin area as a restriction on awards. Reported 2025 grant dollars went primarily to Wisconsin recipients (76%), followed by Michigan (11%), Virginia (10%), and Washington, D.C. (3%); Illinois accounted for 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Cremer Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 18 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 39% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 318% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $321K (2023) to $371K (2021). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $362K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bayview Foundation Madison, WI | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Operation Fresh Start Grand Haven, MI | General Operating | $40,000 |
| Briarpatch Youth Services Fitchburg, WI | General Operating | $35,000 |
| The Salvation Army Alexandria, VA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Sun Prairie East High School Sun Prairie, WI | General Operating | $32,000 |
| The River Food Pantry Madison, WI | General Operating | $30,000 |
| Sunshine Place Sun Prairie, WI | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Goodman Community Center Madison, WI | General Operating | $25,000 |
| East Madison Community Center Madison, WI | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Gift to Unitypoint Health Meriter Founda Madison, WI | General Operating | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cremer Foundation?
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 | $1,223,946 | $264,935 | $413,193 | $362,111 | 18 | $394,747 | $251,819 | $124,062 |
| 2024 | $1,372,205 | $321,788 | $384,379 | $334,060 | 14 | $360,970 | $303,786 | $125,448 |
| 2023 | $1,435,205 | $236,794 | $366,535 | $320,750 | 18 | $351,624 | $223,976 | $116,814 |
| 2022 | $1,563,675 | $76,463 | $368,696 | $323,250 | 15 | $343,625 | $57,304 | $133,071 |
| 2021 | $1,861,603 | $309,239 | $420,767 | $370,500 | 16 | $398,196 | $242,447 | $159,251 |
| 2020 | $1,974,249 | $-45,438 | $409,725 | $362,500 | 17 | — | $33,937 | $139,356 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cremer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $124K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address community needs. For example, Bayview Foundation says it supports culturally diverse, low-income families through affordable housing and community-building; Briarpatch Youth Services says it works to strengthen the lives of youth, families, and the community; and The River Food Pantry describes its mission as providing food, resources, and faith to build a stronger community.
Other 2025 recipients include Sunshine Place, which says it provides services for essential needs through community engagement and partnerships; East Madison Community Center, which promotes educational, recreational, and community activities; Horizon High School of Madison, which fosters students’ emotional, social, and academic growth; and Specialty Care Free Clinic, which provides medical specialty consultations to uninsured adults and youth.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $362,111. Grant amounts ranged from $111 to $50,000, with a median of $17,500. The largest awards included $50,000 to Bayview Foundation, $40,000 to Operation Fresh Start, $35,000 each to Briarpatch Youth Services and The Salvation Army, and $32,000 to Sun Prairie East High School. The listed purposes for these largest grants were general operating.
The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists James Berkenstadt as the contact, says applications may be submitted in any written form, and gives no deadline. The filing lists the Madison, Wisconsin area as a restriction on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Holly L. Cremer as president and treasurer; James A. Berkenstadt as vice president; and Rebecca Berkenstadt, Robert R. Stroud, and Marci Dubler as directors.
Cremer Foundation is led by Holly L. Cremer, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Holly L. Cremer
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marci Dubler
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Berkenstadt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert R. Stroud
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James A. Berkenstadt
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Cremer Foundation
How much does Cremer Foundation give each year?
Cremer Foundation gave $362K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $334K across 14 grants.
What is Cremer Foundation's typical grant size?
Cremer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,500, and its average grant was $20,117, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cremer Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Cremer Foundation give grants?
Cremer Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Michigan (11%) and Virginia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (11 grants) and Sun Prairie, WI (2 grants).
Does Cremer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Cremer Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Cremer Foundation's largest grantees?
Cremer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bayview Foundation ($50,000), Operation Fresh Start ($40,000) and Briarpatch Youth Services ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cremer Foundation?
Cremer Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $395K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $124K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Cremer Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address community needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cremer Foundation?
Cremer Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check janecremerfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Cremer Foundation's EIN?
Cremer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6086822. 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. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cremer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Madison Community Foundation
Madison, WI
Madison Community Foundation funds nonprofits through Community Impact grants in arts and culture, community development, environment, learning, and organizational capacity, as well as Field of Interest funds. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $12,000; Community Impact grants average $50,000 and may span multiple years. Grants primarily benefit organizations in Dane County, Wisconsin, and the foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its stated application processes.
Assets
$347.6M
Grants
376
Total Given
$13.6M
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
The foundation funds charitable and tax-exempt organizations, including community services and affordable workforce housing, primarily in Madison and within Madison Gas and Electric’s service territory. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $300,000, with a median of $2,000. It accepts applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$45.2M
Grants
217
Total Given
$1.9M
The Roots and Wings Foundation Inc
Seattle, WA
The Roots & Wings Foundation supports nonprofits helping low-income children and families thrive, especially from pregnancy through age three, in areas including basic needs, early learning, health, and safety and justice. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $2 million, with a median of $55,000, and it funds organizations in Wisconsin, Washington, and nationally. It does not accept unsolicited requests; it identifies potential partners and invites aligned organizations to apply.
Assets
$611.8M
Grants
518
Total Given
$66.6M
United Way of Dane County Inc
Madison, WI
United Way of Dane County funds nonprofit health and human services programs serving Dane County residents, with priorities including youth opportunity, financial security, healthy communities and community resiliency. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,077 to $1,203,675, with a median of $20,367; the available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$21.9M
Grants
132
Total Given
$11.4M
The Evjue Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
The Evjue Foundation supports religious, charitable, educational, civic, and cultural organizations, with grants spanning needs such as health, arts, housing, and community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $200,000, with a median of $15,000; nearly all grant funding went to organizations in Wisconsin. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$30.3M
Grants
70
Total Given
$1.5M
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Green Bay, WI
The Green Bay Packers Foundation funds Wisconsin charities working in areas such as families, athletics, children’s safety and education, animal welfare, and other focus areas that vary by year. Its 2026 announcement describes typical awards of $3,000–$8,000, though some grants are larger; it accepts online applications during its stated cycle, February 2–April 1, 2026.
Assets
$57.2M
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cremer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cremer-foundation-morg_d1b8313edd67470d924b64854c611cc2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396086822_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cremer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cremer-foundation-morg_d1b8313edd67470d924b64854c611cc2},
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 Cremer 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.
Cremer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?