Graef Foundation Inc
Graef Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $82K.
Key facts about Graef Foundation Inc
In short: Graef Foundation Inc gave $82K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Wisconsin. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 39-2033285
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $82,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $7,455
- Median grant
- $3,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (4 of 11, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$82K
+412.5% YoY
Grant Count
11
+175.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+86.4% YoY
Is Graef Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 11 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
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.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
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
34 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON Madison, WI | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION Madison, WI | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| UWM FOUNDATION Milwaukee, WI | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $8,000 |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY Milwaukee, WI | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $6,000 |
| SHARP LITERACY INC Milwaukee, WI | ENTITY SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ACE MENTOR PROGRAM OF ILLINOIS Chicago, IL | ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $3,000 |
| MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Milwaukee, WI | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $3,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN PLATTEVILLE Platteville, WI | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $3,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS INC WISCONSIN SECTION Reston, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| STEM FORWARD INC Milwaukee, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Graef Foundation Inc is led by John Kissinger, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Kissinger
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Goetter
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Bub
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Grebe
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Ken Grebe (2020–2022) — Director & Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about Graef Foundation Inc
How much does Graef Foundation Inc give each year?
Graef Foundation Inc gave $82K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $16K across 4 grants.
What is Graef Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Graef Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $7,455, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from Graef Foundation Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does Graef Foundation Inc give grants?
Graef Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (5 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants).
Does Graef Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 18% of Graef Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Program" (6 grants).
Who are Graef Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Graef Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include University of Wisconsin Madison ($25,000), University of Wisconsin Foundation ($25,000) and Uwm Foundation ($8,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What is Graef Foundation Inc?
Graef Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.
What is Graef Foundation Inc's EIN?
Graef Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-2033285. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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