Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA is a Chicago-based public charity that supports small and medium-sized companies in 13 Midwestern states in exporting agricultural products. It offers export education, market connections, strategies, and marketing assistance, and participates in international trade shows and promotional activities.
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA at a glance
In short: Food Export Association of the Midwest USA gave $10.2M across 147 grants in 2024 (avg $70K), top state Illinois. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,242,405
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 147
- +13.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $69,676
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,870
- Total assets
- $3,681,466
- -0.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (74 of 147, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
- Review Cycle
- The 2027 Branded Program application deadline listed is October 31, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2027 Branded Program application deadline listed is October 31, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 29 North Wacker Drive 1000, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 334-9200
Website: https://foodexport.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Food Export Association of the Midwest USA funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Color Brands ($611K). Together the top 10 received $3.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
567 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 382 grants of 567 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated membership comprises 13 Midwestern state agriculture departments. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Illinois (22%), Wisconsin (16%), Michigan (11%), Missouri (11%), and Ohio (7%). Its website describes a strategic alliance with Food Export-Northeast, which represents 10 Northeastern states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 147 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Food Export Association of the Midwest USA open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 74 of 147 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $86K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $36K repeat.
- 18% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.4M (2020) to $10.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 147 grants totaling $10.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Color Brands Chicago, IL | Map ATP Rapp Program | $610,585 |
| Carnivore Meat LLC Green Bay, WI | Map ATP Rapp Program | $529,331 |
| CKB MGMNT Svcs LLC Jefferson City, MO | Map ATP Rapp Program | $407,359 |
| Clements Foods Oklahoma City, OK | Map ATP Rapp Program | $383,724 |
| Instinct Pet Foods MI St. Louis, MO | Map ATP Rapp Program | $376,458 |
| Dairy Farmers of Amer Kansas City, KS | Map ATP Rapp Program | $343,706 |
| American Trading Int Los Angeles, CA | Map ATP Rapp Program | $328,216 |
| Global Groceries Sales Inc Dakota Dunes, SD | Map ATP Rapp Program | $320,800 |
| Lillies Q Sauces Chicago, IL | Map ATP Rapp Program | $307,224 |
| Ginseng Herb Coop Marathon, WI | Map ATP Rapp Program | $261,486 |
Ready to take the next step with Food Export Association of the Midwest USA?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization’s filing says it conducts internal grant reviews and participates in an annual USDA compliance review of its procedures and expenditures.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,681,466 | $17,698,688 | $17,550,951 | $10,242,405 | 147 | $39,127 |
| 2023 | $3,712,070 | $16,581,008 | $16,482,508 | $9,623,641 | 130 | $43,133 |
| 2022 | $3,688,301 | $15,025,375 | $14,959,564 | $8,353,538 | 116 | $-21,157 |
| 2021 | $3,109,779 | $15,548,836 | $15,333,427 | $8,940,696 | 79 | $-4,326 |
| 2020 | $2,886,617 | $14,214,220 | $14,076,279 | $5,438,655 | 95 | $6,673 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to assist small and medium-sized companies in its member states with exporting agricultural products. Its website describes a broader mission shared with Food Export-Northeast: empowering small- and medium-sized businesses in their regions to sell food and agricultural products internationally.
Its programs include exporter education, market entry services such as buyer and trade missions, and market promotion. The Branded Program provides cost-share assistance to eligible small and medium-sized U.S. food and agricultural companies for international marketing. The website says eligible companies must be headquartered in the Midwest or Northeast, meet the SBA’s small or medium classification, and promote U.S.-made products containing at least 50% U.S.-grown agricultural content by weight.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 147 grants totaling $10,242,405. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $610,585, with a median of $20,870. The largest grants listed included COLOR BRANDS in Chicago, Illinois, at $610,585; CARNIVORE MEAT LLC in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at $529,331; and CKB MGMNT SVCS LLC in Jefferson City, Missouri, at $407,359. Each was listed for the MAP ATP RAPP PROGRAM.
For the 2027 Branded Program, the website describes a participant cost-share program reimbursing up to 50% of approved promotional expenses. The application process is to register in the Food Export Portal, submit a pre-qualification form, and then submit an application with marketing plans and a funding request. Eligible expenses listed include international website development, packaging and labeling changes, trade shows, advertising, in-store promotions, social media, eligible travel, and international sample freight.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Blayne Arthur as President and Randy Romanski as Secretary Treasurer. Thom Petersen was listed as Vice President. Board members listed were Chris Chinn, Don Lamb, Doug Goehring, Hunter Roberts, Jerry Costello II, Lydia Mihalik, and Mike Beam.
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA is led by Brendan Wilson, Executive Director & CEO on every filing since 2023; 5 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brendan Wilson
Executive Director & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$186K (2023) → $257K (2024)
Blayne Arthur
President
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Rogowski
Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Director
Deputy Director → Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$124K (2020) → $175K (2024)
Robert Lowe
Chief Financial Officer
Financial Manager → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$114K (2020) → $171K (2024)
Teresa Miller
Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer
Strategic Partnerships Manager → Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $135K (2024)
Mike Weiand
Information Technology Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Chris Chinn
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Goehring
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Costello II
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lydia Mihalik
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Beam
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Naig
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Romanski
Secretary Treasurer
Board Member → Secretary Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thom Petersen
Vice President
Board Member → Secretary Treasurer, 2022
Secretary Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hunter Roberts
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Don Lamb
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Vinton
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Boring
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Bruce Kettler (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gary McDowell (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Steve Wellman (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Tim Hamilton (2020–2022) — Executive Director & CEO
- Former: Kim Vanneman (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Pfaff (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $257K, to Brendan Wilson (Executive Director / CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
How much does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA give each year?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA gave $10.2M across 147 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $9.6M across 130 grants.
What is Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's typical grant size?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's median grant in 2024 was $20,870, and its average grant was $69,676, across 147 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Food Export Association of the Midwest USA that year got $54K on average.
Where does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA give grants?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's top state is Illinois, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Wisconsin (16%) and Michigan (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (10 grants), Minneapolis, MN (4 grants), Green Bay, WI (3 grants) and Detroit, MI (3 grants).
Does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 147 grants with a stated purpose on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Map ATP Rapp Program" (147 grants).
Who are Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's largest grantees?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA's largest 2024 grantees include Color Brands ($610,585), Carnivore Meat LLC ($529,331) and CKB MGMNT Svcs LLC ($407,359), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Food Export Association of the Midwest USA?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA reported $3.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.7M.
What does Food Export Association of the Midwest USA fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to assist small and medium-sized companies in its member states with exporting agricultural products. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Food Export Association of the Midwest USA?
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check foodexport.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Food Export Association of the Midwest USA down — hundreds of funders to go?