Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. (GWAAR) is a Madison, Wisconsin-based public charity that supports the delivery of aging programs and services in 70 counties and 11 tribes in Wisconsin. It provides aging lead agencies with training, technical assistance, and advocacy to help ensure programs and services are available and meet quality standards.
Key facts about Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc
In short: Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc gave $1.5M across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in Wisconsin. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 39-1204540
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,488,750
- Grants made (2024)
- 69
- Average grant
- $21,576
- Median grant
- $16,128
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (25 of 69, 2024)
- Total assets
- $13,871,588
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$13.9M
+27.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-95.5% YoY
Grant Count
69
-36.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
-92.9% YoY
Is Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 69 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $17K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
GWAAR’s mission is to deliver innovative support to lead aging agencies as they work together to promote, protect, and enhance the well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers.
Its stated focus includes quality, innovation, leadership, and advocacy in aging services. Its programs include the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline, Veteran-Directed Home- and Community-Based Services, and Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol. Its 2024 grants included support under Older Americans Act federal and state grants, as well as statewide training and education for meal-site staff.
Among the 2024 recipients was Senior Connections Inc. The grantee describes its own mission as providing services that promote health, dignity, honor, and independence, including low-cost transportation, nutritious meals, and other community-based services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, GWAAR reported 69 grants totaling $1,488,750. Awards ranged from $5,256 to $72,795, with a median of $16,128. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin.
The largest listed awards included $72,795 to ADRC of Central WI, $72,524 to Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services ADRC, $59,130 to ADRC of Brown Co., and $59,083 to Winnebago County Elderly Services. These grants were designated for Older Americans Act federal and state grants. Sustainable Kitchens received $55,000 for statewide support to the nutrition team through training and education of meal-site staff. Senior Connections Inc. received $22,693.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GWAAR supports aging programs and services in 70 Wisconsin counties and 11 tribes. Its website states that its technical support, programs, and services cover Wisconsin counties and tribes with the exception of Dane and Milwaukee Counties. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2024) to $34.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Adrc of Central WI ($73K). Together the top 10 received $544K.
Grant Size Distribution
494 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 186 grants of 494 (38%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adrc of Central WI Wausau, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $72,795 |
| Waukesha County Dept of Health and Human Services Adrc Waukesha, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $72,524 |
| Adrc of Brown CO Green Bay, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $59,130 |
| Winnebago County Elderly Services Oshkosh, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $59,083 |
| Sustainable Kitchens Milwaukee, WI | Statewide support to the nutrition team through training and education of meal site staff | $55,000 |
| Rock County Council on Aging Janesville, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $53,647 |
| Kenosha County Division of Aging and Disability Services Kenosha, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $44,915 |
| Adrc of Racine County Sturtevant, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $44,142 |
| Adrc of Eau Claire County Eau Claire, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $42,549 |
| Barron County Office on Aging Barron, WI | Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants | $40,052 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,871,588 | $47,222,491 | $46,837,771 | $1,488,750 | 69 |
| 2023 | $10,855,947 | $43,488,887 | $43,838,534 | $32,881,189 | 108 |
| 2022 | $17,295,837 | $44,763,910 | $44,367,538 | $34,042,518 | 114 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,871,588 | $10,855,947 | $17,233,893 |
| Revenue | $47,222,491 | $43,488,887 | $44,520,137 |
| Expenses | $46,837,771 | $43,838,534 | $44,369,515 |
| Net Investment Income | $84,272 | $71,234 | $2,048 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dave Ostness as board chair, Beth Esser as vice chair, and Dave Hoberg as treasurer. It also lists Robert Borremans, Rowena Nelson, Rob Wilkinson, John Helling, Wes Martin, Cookie Lough, and Catherine Jones-Ferk as board members.
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc is led by John Schnabl, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Schnabl
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$82K (2021) → $117K (2024)
Dave Ostness
Board Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Esser
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Borremans
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cookie Lough
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Hoberg
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Helling
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Wilkinson
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wes Martin
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Jones-Ferk
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rowena Nelson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Mary Wolf (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Erv Teichmiller (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Miki Bix (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Robert Kellerman (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: David Hoberg (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Va Thao (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Wesley Martin (2020) — Chair
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 $117K, to John Schnabl (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 1414 Macarthur Rd No A, Madison, WI 53714
Phone: (608) 243-5670
Website: https://gwaar.org
Frequently asked questions about Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc
How much does Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc give each year?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc gave $1.5M across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $32.9M across 108 grants.
What is Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's typical grant size?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's median grant in 2024 was $16,128, and its average grant was $21,576, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc give grants?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 69 grants with a stated purpose on Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Older Americans Act - Federal and State Grants" (68 grants).
Who are Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's largest grantees?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Adrc of Central WI ($72,795), Waukesha County Dept of Health and Human Services Adrc ($72,524) and Adrc of Brown CO ($59,130), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc reported $13.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $47.2M.
What does Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc fund?
GWAAR’s mission is to deliver innovative support to lead aging agencies as they work together to promote, protect, and enhance the well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gwaar.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's EIN?
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1204540. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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