Harley-davidson Foundation Inc
The Harley-Davidson Foundation Inc is a corporate foundation established in 1994 and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the company-sponsored foundation of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, it supports programs designed to meet basic community needs, improve the lives of Harley-Davidson stakeholders, and encourage social responsibility. The foundation functions as a strategic partner for nonprofits, with particular emphasis on long-term impact in its home community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.3M
+15.4% YoY
Grant Count
42
+31.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
-12.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on improving the quality of life by targeting charitable giving in areas of greatest need where Harley-Davidson has corporate and manufacturing facilities. Primary funding areas include:
- Education — with emphasis on youth programs that foster STEAM innovation
- Health — supporting community health initiatives
- Human Services — the foundation's largest funding area, with particular focus on addressing basic needs and food insecurity
- Community Development — supporting neighborhood vibrancy and revitalization
- Environment — environmental initiatives and green space development
Grantmaking
The foundation made 109 grants in 2024 with total giving of $1,331,452. Grant characteristics include:
Average Grant
amount:** Approximately $400–$500,000
How to Apply
** The foundation generally does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or applications from grantseekers
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While Harley-Davidson has numerous geographic interests, the foundation prioritizes its home community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with particular focus on the Near West Side neighborhood. The foundation also funds efforts in Pennsylvania and Michigan where the company has facilities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $63,449,118
- Total Revenue: $4,951,155
- Total Expenses: $2,358,303
- Net Income: $2,592,852
- Total Liabilities: $11,700
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since November 1993; EIN: 39-1769946
| 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
206 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
April Gianeselli serves as Vice President of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has undertaken several significant initiatives:
**Davidson Park** — The Harley-Davidson Foundation is transforming a central element of its Juneau Avenue campus headquarters into a new public park. Davidson Park is envisioned as an inclusive, vibrant community gathering place that revitalizes the Near West Side neighborhood through sustainable practices and serves as a recreational, civic, and cultural destination.
$1 Million Donation made to Hero Support Groups from Harley-Davidson Let\u2019\**Near West Side Partners** — The foundation is a founding member of Near West Side Partners, formed in 2015 with four other anchor institutions to make the neighborhood a great place to live, work, play, and stay.
**Hunger Task Force Farm** — The foundation was the founding partner of the Hunger Task Force Farm in 2012, a 208-acre farm that produces crops distributed to local food pantries within 24 hours of harvest. Hundreds of Harley-Davidson employees volunteer at the farm.
Harley-Davidson Foundation Launches \u201CFriends of Davidson Park\u201D\**Employee Engagement** — The foundation empowers employees to be champions of impact in their local communities through volunteer opportunities and community involvement programs.
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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