Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation is a private foundation, based in Madison, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $11.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $700K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation at a glance
In short: Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation gave $700K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $700K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $700,000
- -41.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $700,000
- -41.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $700,000
- Total assets
- $11,316,865
- +3.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Wisconsin Foundation ($700K).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 2 grants of 6 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation gives
- Giving grew 48% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $474K (2021) to $1.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $700K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin Foundation Madison, WI | To provide scholarships for students at the university of Wisconsin medical school and the university of Wisconsin nursing school. | $700,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,316,865 | $1,144,989 | $792,679 | $700,000 | 1 | $709,950 | $1,080,794 | $713,601 |
| 2024 | $10,964,555 | $1,074,402 | $1,327,339 | $1,200,000 | 1 | $1,244,647 | $1,004,868 | $678,102 |
| 2023 | $11,217,492 | $1,418,244 | $1,445,009 | $1,296,182 | 2 | $1,344,714 | $1,356,626 | $689,617 |
| 2022 | $11,244,205 | $976,017 | $613,257 | $474,187 | 1 | $530,322 | $905,408 | $773,245 |
| 2021 | $10,885,977 | $1,417,470 | $576,699 | $474,176 | 1 | — | $1,349,545 | $711,552 |
| 2020 | $10,044,799 | $570,417 | $577,946 | $475,596 | 1 | — | $514,219 | $604,535 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation reported a distributable amount of $714K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation is led by David G. Walsh, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David G. Walsh
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Dean Linda Scott
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Dean Robert Golden
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2024) → $0 (2025)
John B. Walsh
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2025)
John W. Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Henry W. Ispen
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $0 (2025)
David W. Reinecke
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Henry W. Ipsen (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $2K, to David G Walsh (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation
How much does Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation give each year?
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation gave $700K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 1 grant.
How large is Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation?
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation reported $11.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $710K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $714K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation operate?
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What is Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation's EIN?
Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1841051. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 27, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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