Door County Economic Development Corporation logo

Door County Economic Development Corporation

Public charity · Grantmaker Sturgeon Bay, WI EIN: 39-1621905 Website

DOOR COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, also identified in its filing as the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), is a public charity based in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Formed in 1988, it describes itself as a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of Door County and its residents.

Key facts about Door County Economic Development Corporation

In short: Door County Economic Development Corporation gave $114K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
39-1621905
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$113,940
Grants made (2025)
12
Average grant
$9,495
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$2,325,381
Primary geography
Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

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

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$2.3M

-3.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$114K

-54.0% YoY

Grant Count

12

+500.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$9K

-92.3% YoY

How Door County Economic Development Corporation gives

  • Giving grew 443% from 2022 to 2025. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

DCEDC’s stated mission is to improve the economic vitality of Door County and its residents. It says it has helped existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through its programs and initiatives.

Its work includes business consultation, export education, labor-market information, site-selection assistance, and support for business expansion and relocation. For entrepreneurs and small businesses, services include business-plan development, financing assistance through revolving loan funds, and location guidance. In 2025, DCEDC also ran its third annual Lighthouse Launch pitch contest and administered 28 active revolving-fund loans representing approximately $2.2 million in financing.

Other activities reported for 2025 included workforce and student-engagement efforts, housing and broadband research and resources, and advocacy with state policymakers. DCEDC also contracted with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for a Door County facade and property improvement program. That program offers grants of up to $10,000 per business to fund up to 80% of awarded applicant improvements. DCEDC reported contracting with 29 businesses for property-enhancement projects and more than $200,000 in improvements by year-end, with a 2:1 private-to-public investment ratio. This WEDC funding was received by DCEDC; it is distinct from the grants DCEDC gave.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, DCEDC reported 12 grants totaling $113,940. Grants ranged from $5,705 to $15,000, with a median of $10,000. The listed grants were for program support and went to Wisconsin recipients.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

DCEDC describes its business services and economic-development work as serving Door County. All 12 grants listed for 2025 went to recipients in Wisconsin, including recipients in Door County communities and Green Bay and De Pere.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Sturgeon BaySister BayGreen BayBaileys HarborDepereEgg HarborMadison

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K0 grants2020 4 grants2021 1 grant2022 4 grants2023 2 grants2024 12 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $21K (2022) to $248K (2024). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $114K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Cadence WI Inc: $15KCadence WI Inc$15KRusty Tractor Breakfast Barn: $10KRusty Tractor Breakfast Barn$10KShoreline Motel LLC: $10KShoreline Motel LLC$10KCherry Lanes Arcade Bar LLC: $10KCherry Lanes Arcade Bar LLC$10KSonny's Pizzeria: $10KSonny's Pizzeria$10KHappy Coffee: $10KHappy Coffee$10KThe Blacksmith Inn on the Shore: $10KThe Blacksmith Inn on theShore$10KB3 Hospitality LLC (Cupola House): $9KB3 Hospitality LLC (CupolaHouse)$9KRenard's Cheese Store LLC: $9KRenard's Cheese Store LLC$9KChampeau Flooring LLC: $8KChampeau Flooring LLC$8K

The largest 2025 recipient was Cadence WI Inc ($15K). Together the top 10 received $101K.

Grant Size Distribution

23 grants across all recorded years

22<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 23 (96%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Cadence WI Inc Sturgeon Bay, WIProgram Support$15,000
Rusty Tractor Breakfast Barn Egg Harbor, WIProgram Support$10,000
Shoreline Motel LLC Green Bay, WIProgram Support$10,000
Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar LLC Green Bay, WIProgram Support$10,000
Sonny's Pizzeria Sturgeon Bay, WIProgram Support$10,000
Happy Coffee Sister Bay, WIProgram Support$10,000
The Blacksmith Inn on the Shore Baileys Harbor, WIProgram Support$10,000
B3 Hospitality LLC (Cupola House) Depere, WIProgram Support$9,230
Renard's Cheese Store LLC Sturgeon Bay, WIProgram Support$8,630
Champeau Flooring LLC Sister Bay, WIProgram Support$7,870

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants given
2025 $2,325,381 $599,507 $700,936 $113,940 (12)
2024 $2,420,189 $505,269 $786,104 $247,900 (2)
2023 $2,718,024 $597,296 $610,770 $49,103 (4)

DCEDC reported that its board and management decided in 2025 to sell the incubator leasing operations after a strategic review found that program no longer aligned with its long-term objectives. The sale occurred in January 2026.

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$2,325,381$2,420,189$2,718,024
Revenue$599,507$505,269$597,296
Expenses$700,936$786,104$610,770
Net Investment Income$38,420$14,334$13,261

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 28, 2024)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 20, 2025)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 14, 2022)
  4. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
  5. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Tim Duquaine as chair; Ryan Hoernke as vice chair and treasurer; and Brian Stephens as past chair. Directors listed were Dale Wiegand, Dan Tjernagel, Greg Stillman, Jackie Bongle, Jamie Alberts, Jeff Miller, and Moriah Brey.

Door County Economic Development Corporation is led by Michelle Lawrie, Secretary & Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Michelle Lawrie

    Secretary & Executive Director

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $62K (2022) → $92K (2025)

  • Tim Duquaine

    Chair

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Miller

    Director

    Treasurer → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Todd Thayse

    Director

    Chair → Past Chair, 2021

    Past Chair → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jamie Alberts

    Director

    Treasurer → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dale Wiegand

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dan Tjernagel

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Greg Stillman

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jackie Bongle

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Moriah Brey

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Cornell

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Helen Bacon

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Isaksen

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brian Stephens

    Past Chair

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2022

    Chair → Past Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ryan Hoernke

    Vice Chair & Treasurer

    Treasurer → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (12)
  • Former: David Ward (2020–2024) — Director
  • Former: Marykay Schumway (2021–2024) — Director
  • Former: Ann Renard (2020–2021) — Chair
  • Former: Daniel Tjernagel (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Doug Wilson (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Laura Viles Wotacheck (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Nate Bell (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Steve Christoferson (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Steve Jenkins (2020–2021) — Secretary
  • Former: James Schuessler (2020) — Past Secretary Non-Voting
  • Former: Mary Kay Schumway (2020) — Director
  • Former: Patti Vickman (2020) — Past Chair

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

Michelle Lawrie — Secretary and Executive Director: $92KMichelle LawrieSecretary and Executive Director$92K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $92K, to Michelle Lawrie (Secretary and Executive Director).

Contact

Mailing address: 185 E Walnut Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 743-3113
Website: https://doorcountybusiness.com

Frequently asked questions about Door County Economic Development Corporation

How much does Door County Economic Development Corporation give each year?

Door County Economic Development Corporation gave $114K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $248K across 2 grants.

What is Door County Economic Development Corporation's typical grant size?

Door County Economic Development Corporation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,495, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Door County Economic Development Corporation give grants?

Door County Economic Development Corporation 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 Sturgeon Bay, WI (4 grants), Sister Bay, WI (3 grants) and Green Bay, WI (2 grants).

Does Door County Economic Development Corporation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Door County Economic Development Corporation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (12 grants).

Who are Door County Economic Development Corporation's largest grantees?

Door County Economic Development Corporation's largest 2025 grantees include Cadence WI Inc ($15,000), Rusty Tractor Breakfast Barn ($10,000) and Shoreline Motel LLC ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Door County Economic Development Corporation?

Door County Economic Development Corporation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $600K.

What does Door County Economic Development Corporation fund?

DCEDC’s stated mission is to improve the economic vitality of Door County and its residents. It says it has helped existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through its programs and initiatives. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Door County Economic Development Corporation?

Door County Economic Development Corporation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check doorcountybusiness.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Door County Economic Development Corporation's EIN?

Door County Economic Development Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1621905. 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.

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