Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc
The Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Founded in 1991, it says it supports local organizations and initiatives that strengthen communities.
Key facts about Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc
In short: Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc gave $672K across 141 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Wisconsin. 55% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 39-1687505
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $672,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 141
- Average grant
- $4,766
- Median grant
- $3,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (65 of 118, 2025)
- Total assets
- $22,322,864
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The website refers to an application form, but the foundation’s 2025 filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only preselected charitable organizations contributions. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.3M
+29.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$672K
+65.5% YoY
Grant Count
141
+39.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+18.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 65 of 118 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 43% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 199% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 56% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its purpose as strengthening communities through meaningful support of local organizations and initiatives. Its five stated focus areas are faith, education, community service, wellness and recreation, and conservation.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of activities. Elmbrook Education Foundation says it supports educational excellence and innovation for students in the Elmbrook School District. Lake Area Free Clinic says it provides comprehensive medical and dental care to low-income Waukesha County residents, while Journey 21 says it provides living and learning options for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation are also represented: Watertown Humane Society describes its work with lost, homeless, neglected, and abused animals; Wildlife in Need Center describes rehabilitating Wisconsin wildlife and providing community education; and Wisconsin Humane Society says it works to make a difference for animals and the people who love them.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 141 grants totaling $672,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $85,000, with a median of $3,000. Among the largest grants were $85,000 to International Cooperating Ministries for building churches, $26,000 to American Legion of Wisconsin for support for veterans, military personnel, families, and communities, and $25,000 to WATDA Foundation for scholarships. Other grants included $10,000 each to Family Promise of Waukesha County for its general fund, Journey 21 for a van purchase, and Lake Area Free Clinic for its general fund.
The foundation’s website says applications may be submitted using a form while the site is under construction. However, its 2025 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The available information does not specify application materials or other submission requirements.
How to Apply
The website refers to an application form, but the foundation’s 2025 filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only preselected charitable organizations contributions.
Ready to take the next step with Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 13% to Virginia, and 1% each to Indiana and Illinois; recipients in Missouri received less than 1%. The listed grants include several organizations in Oconomowoc and elsewhere in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 141 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $153K (2023) to $672K (2025). In 2025 it made 141 grants totaling $672K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was International Cooperating Ministries ($85K). Together the top 10 received $208K.
Organizations only. It also paid 22 individual scholarships ($110,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
393 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 388 grants of 393 (99%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International Cooperating Ministries Newport News, VA | Build Churches | $85,000 |
| American Legion of Wisconsin Portage, WI | Local posts - support for veterans, military personnel, families and communities | $26,000 |
| Watda Foundation Madison, WI | Scholarships | $25,000 |
| Boy Scouts of America-Potowatomi Area Council Waukesha, WI | Purchase Boat & Motor | $12,000 |
| Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church Hartland, WI | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Elmbrook Education Foundation Brookfield, WI | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Family Promise of Waukesha CO Waukesha, WI | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Geist Christian Church Fischers, IN | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Holy Family Catholic Church Whitefish Bay, WI | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Hope Church of Wisconsin Oconomowoc, WI | General Fund | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $22,322,864 | $5,833,360 | $780,166 | $672,000 |
| 2024 | $17,292,218 | $10,928,443 | $464,190 | $406,110 |
| 2023 | $6,896,657 | $267,347 | $200,557 | $153,450 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,322,864 | $17,292,218 | $6,896,657 |
| Revenue | $5,833,360 | $10,928,443 | $267,347 |
| Expenses | $780,166 | $464,190 | $200,557 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $674,850 | $407,260 | $156,300 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,724,917 | $812,557 | $222,990 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,197,479 | $679,810 | $402,472 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 13, 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 April 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Craig A. Ewald as president and director, Brian J. Ewald as vice president and director, Daniel T. Ewald as treasurer and director, and Thomas E. Ewald as secretary and director.
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc is led by Craig A. Ewald, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Craig A. Ewald
President & Director
Vice President, Secretary & Director → President, Vice President & Director, 2022
President, Vice President & Director → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian J. Ewald
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel T. Ewald
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas E. Ewald
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Emil Ewald (2020–2022) — President, Treasurer & 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.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 147, Oconomowoc, WI 53066-0147
Phone: (262) 337-9652
Website: https://ewaldfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc
How much does Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc gave $672K across 141 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $406K across 101 grants.
What is Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $4,766, across 141 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc that year got $4K on average.
Where does Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (18 grants), Waukesha, WI (16 grants), Oconomowoc, WI (11 grants) and Hartland, WI (7 grants).
Does Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 57% of Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (80 of 141) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Food Pantry" (26 grants), "Scholarships" (24 grants) and "Pet Adoption" (3 grants).
Who are Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include International Cooperating Ministries ($85,000), American Legion of Wisconsin ($26,000) and Watda Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 22 individual scholarships ($110,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc?
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc reported $22.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $675K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s website describes its purpose as strengthening communities through meaningful support of local organizations and initiatives. Its five stated focus areas are faith, education, community service, wellness and recreation, and conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc?
The website refers to an application form, but the foundation’s 2025 filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only preselected charitable organizations contributions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Emil Ewald Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1687505. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Emil Ewald Family 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.
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