George Kress Foundation Inc
The George Kress Foundation is a family foundation established in 1953 and based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with deep roots in the Green Bay community and strong corporate ties to Green Bay Packaging, Inc. The foundation was created by George F. Kress, who believed that improving people's lives strengthens communities as a whole.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$4.6M
+28.3% YoY
Grant Count
132
-10.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+43.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on investing in initiatives and programs that improve the well-being of employees and communities. Primary funding areas include:
- Health & Human Services – Programs providing essential health, wellness, and safety needs
- Community Advancement – Start-up projects, new programs, and initiatives within existing organizations that significantly impact the community
- Education – Support for local schools and colleges to foster student achievement and success
- Arts & Culture – Recognition of the arts as fundamental to healthy communities
- Additional Focus Areas – Libraries, Christian agencies and churches, higher education, historical preservation, hospitals, health associations, recreation (particularly local sporting events), children and youth services, social and family services, and community development
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants primarily for program support, scholarship support, and initiatives for young professionals.
Review Cycle
. The foundation operates on a continuous intake basis, with the fiscal year ending in December.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation grants primarily in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin, with a strong emphasis on local community needs. However, recent activity indicates some funding outside Wisconsin, including support for projects in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $18.4 million
- Total Revenue: $4.88 million
- Total Expenses: $3.72 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: Approximately $4.65 million (based on 2024 data)
The foundation has maintained consistent revenue streams, with total grants and contributions of $4 million reported in both 2023 and 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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 Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society Inc ($500,000), Friends of Bay Beach Inc ($500,000), Cp Inc ($262,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVE BROWN COUNTY GREEN BAY, WI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN GREEN BAY, WI | RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR MEN (PAYMENT 2 OF 2) | $100,000 |
| ALDO LEOPOLD COMMUNITY SCHOOL GREEN BAY, WI | EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AT ALDO LEOPOLD COMMUNITY SCHOOL | $2,500 |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LITTLE ROCK, AR | MEMORIAL | $5,000 |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOL COUNTS MORRILTON, AR | PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS (PAYMENT 2 OF 3) | $33,000 |
| ASHWAUBENON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - ASHWAUBENON SCHOOL DISTRICT GREEN BAY, WI | SPONSORSHIP TO SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS | $10,000 |
| ASHWAUBENON YOUTH BASEBALL ASHWAUBENON, WI | MEMORIAL | $250 |
| ASPIRO GREEN BAY, WI | MATCHING GIFT SPONSOR | $3,000 |
| AWAKEN GREEN BAY, WI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BELLIN HEALTH FOUNDATION GREEN BAY, WI | IN FULL EMBRACE-NICU CAMPAIGN (3 OF 4) | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- John F. Kress – President
- Ingred Kress – Trustee
- James F. Kress – Trustee
The foundation is led by Kress family members who maintain involvement in both the family business and philanthropic activities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE HANSEN | PRESIDENT | 35 | — |
| JOHN KRESS | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| INGRID KRESS | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM KRESS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANIEL WICKMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TERRY WICKMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The George Kress Foundation committed $1 million to the Morrilton Sports Complex, demonstrating continued investment in community recreation and development projects beyond its primary Wisconsin focus area.
Green Bay Packaging\u2019s George Kress Foundation Commits $1M to Morrilton\Frequently Asked Questions
What does George Kress Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission centers on investing in initiatives and programs that improve the well-being of employees and communities. Primary funding areas include: • **Health & Human Services** – Programs providing essential health, wellness, and safety needs • **Community Advancement** – Start-up projects, new programs, and initiatives within existing organizations that significantly impact the community • **Education** – Support for local schools and colleges to foster student achievement and …
How do I apply for a grant from George Kress Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes grants primarily for program support, scholarship support, and initiatives for young professionals. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $150,000–$500,000 • In 2023, the foundation made 153 grants totaling approximately $2.87 million • Recent notable grants include: • $500,000 to Friends of Bay Beach for the Bay Beach All-Inclusive Playground • $250,000 to Green Bay Botanical Garden for the Nature Nurtures Campaign - Tree House Project • $250,000 to The Bellin …
Where does George Kress Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation grants primarily in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin, with a strong emphasis on local community needs. However, recent activity indicates some funding outside Wisconsin, including support for projects in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
What size grants does George Kress Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, George Kress Foundation Inc awarded 132 grants totaling $4.6M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is George Kress Foundation Inc's EIN?
George Kress Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6050768. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George Kress Foundation Inc'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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