Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA is a non-profit organization composed of agricultural promotion agencies from 13 Midwestern states. Founded in 1969, the organization is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and operates as a 501(c)(5) organization. Food Export-Midwest works in strategic alliance with Food Export USA-Northeast to help U.S. suppliers increase product sales overseas. The organization is one of four nationwide State Regional Trade Groups dedicated to promoting high-value U.S. food and agricultural products in international markets.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.7M
-0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.2M
+6.4% YoY
Grant Count
147
+13.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$70K
-5.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to assist small and medium-sized companies from Midwestern states in exporting agricultural products. Food Export-Midwest provides market intelligence, education, assistance, tools, and financial support to help U.S. food companies find growth opportunities and build export strategy programs for international success.
The organization administers services through federal and state funding, including:
- Market Access Program (MAP) — funded by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
- Agricultural Trade Program (ATP) — funded by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
- Export promotion and customized export assistance
- Cost-share funding programs
- Trade shows and international promotion and marketing activities
The Midwest region's agricultural focus includes grains, oilseeds, livestock, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and value-added products such as branded and private label foods, food ingredients, and pet foods.
Grantmaking
Food Export-Midwest makes grants to support agricultural exporters. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Food Export-Midwest serves 13 Midwestern member states and operates internationally across 7 countries, including Germany, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and South Korea.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $16,581,008
- Total expenses: $16,482,508
- Total assets: $3,712,070
- Total giving: $9,758,145
- Number of employees: 30
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(5) organization
- Tax-exempt since April 1993
- EIN: 36-2691663
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,681,466 | $3,712,070 | $3,688,301 |
| Revenue | $17,698,688 | $16,581,008 | $15,025,375 |
| Expenses | $17,550,951 | $16,482,508 | $14,959,564 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $39,127 | $43,133 | $-21,157 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Color Brands ($610,585), Carnivore Meat Llc ($529,331), Ckb Mgmnt Svcs Llc ($407,359).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABE DISCOVERY DBA OPTUM IMMUNI WATERLOO, WI | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $8,664 |
| ACG PRODUCTS LTD BROOKFIELD, WI | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $7,332 |
| ALINOSI INC DETROIT, MI | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $5,257 |
| AMERICAN BERRY WARRENS, WI | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $6,077 |
| AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL INNOVA DOWNERS GROVE, IL | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $42,315 |
| AMERICAN POP CORN SIOUX CITY, IA | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $226,386 |
| AMERICAN TRADING INT LOS ANGELES, CA | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $328,216 |
| ASSOCIATED MILK PRODUCERS INC NEW ULM, MN | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $5,454 |
| BANK HARDWOODS WHITE PIGEON, MI | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $12,277 |
| BEER NUTS INC BLOOMINGTON, IL | MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM | $17,610 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Brendan Wilson — Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director (serving since January 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blayne Arthur | President | 1 | — |
| Randy Romanski | Secretary Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Thom Petersen | Vice President | 1 | — |
| Chris Chinn | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Don Lamb | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Doug Goehring | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Hunter Roberts | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jerry Costello II | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Lydia Mihalik | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Mike Beam | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Mike Naig | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Sherry Vinton | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Timothy Boring | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Brendan Wilson | Executive Director / CEO | 40 | $257,385 |
| Michelle Rogowski | Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director | 40 | $174,648 |
| Robert Lowe | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $171,047 |
| Teresa Miller | Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer | 40 | $134,990 |
| Mike Weiand | Information Technology Manager | 40 | $101,764 |
Contact Information
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA 29 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 1000 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 312.334.9200 Website: foodexport.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA fund?
The organization's mission is to assist small and medium-sized companies from Midwestern states in exporting agricultural products. Food Export-Midwest provides market intelligence, education, assistance, tools, and financial support to help U.S. food companies find growth opportunities and build export strategy programs for international success. The organization administers services through federal and state funding, including: • **Market Access Program (MAP)** — funded by the USDA Foreign Ag…
How do I apply for a grant from Food Export Association of the Midwest USA?
Food Export-Midwest makes grants to support agricultural exporters. Recent grant activity includes: • **Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools** — $347,808 (2023) for MAP/ATP Program support Total giving in 2023 was $9,758,145.
Where does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA make grants?
Food Export-Midwest serves 13 Midwestern member states and operates internationally across 7 countries, including Germany, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and South Korea.
What size grants does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA award?
In 2024, Food Export Association of the Midwest USA awarded 147 grants totaling $10.2M — an average of about $70K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's EIN?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2691663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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