Fond Du Lac Area Foundation
The Fond du Lac Area Foundation is a community foundation based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, established in 1975. As a 501(c)(3) designated nonprofit organization, the foundation exists to support the charitable needs of the greater Fond du Lac community. The organization operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution and investment of funds.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$78.0M
+14.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
-7.6% YoY
Grant Count
53
+1.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
-9.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Creating a better community by promoting philanthropy, awarding effective grants, and providing leadership on important community issues—today and forever.
Vision: The Fond du Lac Area Foundation will support efforts to enhance the quality of life in the Fond du Lac Area.
The foundation addresses community needs across multiple sectors, including education, arts, food and housing security, infrastructure, animal welfare, the environment, and wellness. The foundation emphasizes collaborative relationships with community partners and takes a holistic approach to understanding the region's needs.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants to organizations that qualify under IRC Section 501(c)(3) and awards scholarships to individuals in compliance with the HR4-Pension Protection Act of 2006.
Review Cycle
and programs, including bi-annual grant cycles, impact grants, and special grants programs.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves the Fond du Lac Area and Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, though grantmaking also extends to Massachusetts and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $78,023,949
- Total Revenue: $5,873,593
- Total Expenses: $3,718,626
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $68.1 million
- Total Revenue: $5.44 million
- Total Expenses: $3.67 million
- Total Liabilities: $6 million
The foundation maintains strong financial health with an 84.5% program expense ratio, demonstrating effective resource management and donor stewardship.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $78,023,949 | $68,131,111 | $60,163,927 |
| Revenue | $5,873,593 | $5,439,585 | $3,058,243 |
| Expenses | $3,718,626 | $3,670,854 | $4,080,429 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $803,978 | $1,609,031 | $23,001 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
230 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Fond Du Lac Area Foundation
BDUSD Education Fund
FOND DU LAC AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
$500 - $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation - Community Fund Grant
FOND DU LAC AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation Impact Grant
FOND DU LAC AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fdl County ($500,000), St Mary's Springs Academy ($229,743), City of Beaver Dam ($190,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGNESIAN FOUNDATIONHOSPICE HOPE FOND DU LAC, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION BARABOO, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $17,681 |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN ARTISTS SULLIVAN, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,400 |
| BADGERLAND YOUTH FOR CHRIST FOND DU LAC, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $27,500 |
| BEAVER DAM ROTARY CLUB BEAVER DAM, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $33,340 |
| BEAVER DAM UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BEAVER DAM, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $13,939 |
| BLANDINE HOUSE FOND DU LAC, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF FDL FOND DU LAC, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF FDL FOND DU LAC, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $55,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Joseph Braun
Staff: The organization operates with a team of 6 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GREG GILES | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $86,058 |
| AARON SADOFF | EXEC DIR UNT | 40 | $76,800 |
| TRIPP AHERN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SARA B ANDREW | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| HOLLY BRENNER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAWN COLWIN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE FRANKE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| THOMAS J GROSS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAVID J HORNUNG | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE G MILLIN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KELLY NORTON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN SCHROEDER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LOREE L SHADY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced special grants programs and continues to expand its community impact. Recent initiatives include the "Fondy 100 Gives" program and ongoing support for summer youth programs. In 2025, the foundation distributed significant grants to support downtown Fond du Lac development and community initiatives.
Action Reporter Media | Fond Du Lac news, community, entertainment, yellowThe foundation publishes annual Reports to the Community documenting donor stories, awardee recognition, and financial statements for each fiscal year.
Community Foundation Amplifies Fond du Lac with $89,000 in Grants | Fon DuFrequently Asked Questions
What does Fond Du Lac Area Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Creating a better community by promoting philanthropy, awarding effective grants, and providing leadership on important community issues—today and forever. **Vision:** The Fond du Lac Area Foundation will support efforts to enhance the quality of life in the Fond du Lac Area. The foundation addresses community needs across multiple sectors, including education, arts, food and housing security, infrastructure, animal welfare, the environment, and wellness. The foundation emphasizes …
How do I apply for a grant from Fond Du Lac Area Foundation?
The foundation makes grants to organizations that qualify under IRC Section 501(c)(3) and awards scholarships to individuals in compliance with the HR4-Pension Protection Act of 2006. **Recent Grant Activity (Fiscal Year 2025):** • $3.7 million in grant dollars awarded • $409,528 in scholarship dollars awarded • 32 new funds established **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • St. Mary's Springs Academy: $229,743 (General Support) • Fond du Lac Family YMCA: $155,762 (General Support) • McLean Hospit…
Where does Fond Du Lac Area Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves the Fond du Lac Area and Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, though grantmaking also extends to Massachusetts and Illinois.
What size grants does Fond Du Lac Area Foundation award?
In 2024, Fond Du Lac Area Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Fond Du Lac Area Foundation's EIN?
Fond Du Lac Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0181570. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fond Du Lac Area Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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