Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Brookfield, WI EIN: 39-6063602

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It is organized and operated to make cash donations to qualifying public charities.

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc gave $415K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in Wisconsin. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$415,000
-17.0% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
13
-7.1% vs 2024
Average grant
$31,923
-10.6% vs 2024
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$10,737,107
+3.9% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
15% first-time grantees (2 of 13, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Wisconsin (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc

How to Apply

Contact William J Ladish. No specific form is required, and the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists no restrictions on awards.

Contact

Application contact: William J Ladish
Mailing address: 250 N Sunny Slope Road Suite 100, Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: (262) 505-5668

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Marquette University: $130KMarquette University$130KRush University Medical Center: $125KRush University Medical Center$125KMedical College of Wisconsin: $95KMedical College of Wisconsin$95KCreek Valley School: $20KCreek Valley School$20KHunger Task Force: $10KHunger Task Force$10KOriole Lane Elementary School: $10KOriole Lane Elementary School$10KPewaukee Public Schools: $10KPewaukee Public Schools$10KOzaukee Child Care Preschool: $5KOzaukee Child Care Preschool$5KSeton Catholic Schools: $5KSeton Catholic Schools$5KPewaukee Public Library: $2KPewaukee Public Library$2K

The largest 2025 recipient was Marquette University ($130K). Together the top 10 received $412K.

Grant Size Distribution

72 grants across all recorded years

57<$50K1$50–100K14$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 72 (79%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 65% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 30% to Illinois, and 5% to Minnesota.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.

Cities

MilwaukeePewaukeeMequonChicagoEdinaWauwatosaWest AllisBrookfieldSt. PaulDelavanDousmanJeffersonOconomowocRubicon

Is Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

15%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 2 of 13 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $750; repeat grants $38K. How we count

Medians: $750 first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving fell 27% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K15 grants2021 15 grants2022 15 grants2023 14 grants2024 13 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $415K (2025) to $597K (2023). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $415K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Marquette University Milwaukee, WICharitable$130,000
Rush University Medical Center Chicago, ILCharitable$125,000
Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WICharitable$95,000
Creek Valley School Edina, MNCharitable$20,000
Hunger Task Force Milwaukee, WICharitable$10,000
Oriole Lane Elementary School Mequon, WICharitable$10,000
Pewaukee Public Schools Pewaukee, WICharitable$10,000
Ozaukee Child Care Preschool Mequon, WICharitable$5,000
Seton Catholic Schools Milwaukee, WICharitable$4,500
Pewaukee Public Library Pewaukee, WICharitable$2,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$10,737,107$510,425$570,186$415,00013$529,717$471,964$518,728
2024$10,333,710$239,889$648,210$500,00014$609,086$227,912$496,118
2023$9,673,721$351,510$758,195$597,00015$705,452$311,596$481,411
2022$9,684,285$625,564$719,875$570,00015$678,237$586,221$573,445
2021$12,033,992$289,081$729,916$580,00015—$249,774$556,812

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $519K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation states that it makes cash donations to qualifying public charities and does not engage in other direct charitable activity. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in several fields. For example, Marquette University describes its mission as pursuing truth and knowledge, fostering excellence, and developing leadership in service to others. Rush University Medical Center says its mission is to improve health through patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. Hunger Task Force describes its work as providing food to people in need and promoting policies toward a hunger-free community. Pabst Mansion says it preserves and interprets an iconic Milwaukee home through tours, education, and programming.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 13 grants totaling $415,000. Awards ranged from $500 to $130,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest reported grants were $130,000 to Marquette University, $125,000 to Rush University Medical Center, and $95,000 to Medical College of Wisconsin. Other reported awards included $20,000 to Creek Valley School and $10,000 each to Hunger Task Force, Oriole Lane Elementary School, and Pewaukee Public Schools.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists William J Ladish as president and director; Margaret L Exner as secretary; and Mary L Selander as vice president. It also lists Paul J Tilleman, Patrick B Mehigan, Lisa L Gahn, Thomas W Exner, Daniel A Exner, Brian J Jacobson, and John R Jacobson as directors.

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc is led by William J. Ladish, President & Director on every filing since 2021; all 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • William J. Ladish

    President & Director

    On filings since 2021

    10 hrs/week

    $81K (2021) → $81K (2025)

  • Patrick B. Mehigan

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2021) → $4K (2025)

  • Paul J. Tilleman

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2021) → $1K (2025)

  • Brian J. Jacobson

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2025)

  • Daniel A. Exner

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2025)

  • John R. Jacobson

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2025)

  • Lisa L. Gahn

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $500 (2025)

  • Thomas W. Exner

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $500 (2025)

  • Margaret L. Exner

    Secretary

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $21K (2021) → $21K (2025)

  • Mary L. Selander

    Vice President

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $21K (2021) → $21K (2025)

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

William J Ladish — President/Director: $81KWilliam J LadishPresident/Director$81KMargaret L Exner — Secretary: $21KMargaret L ExnerSecretary$21KMary L Selander — Vice President: $21KMary L SelanderVice President$21KPatrick B Mehigan — Director: $4KPatrick B MehiganDirector$4KPaul J Tilleman — Director: $1KPaul J TillemanDirector$1KDaniel a Exner — Director: $1KDaniel a ExnerDirector$1KBrian J Jacobson — Director: $1KBrian J JacobsonDirector$1KJohn R Jacobson — Director: $1KJohn R JacobsonDirector$1KLisa L Gahn — Director: $500Lisa L GahnDirector$500Thomas W Exner — Director: $500Thomas W ExnerDirector$500

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $81K, to William J Ladish (President/Director). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc

How much does Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc give each year?

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc gave $415K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $500K across 14 grants.

What is Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $31,923, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc that year got $750 on average.

Where does Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc give grants?

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (5 grants), Pewaukee, WI (3 grants) and Mequon, WI (2 grants).

Does Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (13 grants).

Who are Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Marquette University ($130,000), Rush University Medical Center ($125,000) and Medical College of Wisconsin ($95,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc?

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $530K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $519K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation states that it makes cash donations to qualifying public charities and does not engage in other direct charitable activity. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in several fields. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc?

Contact William J Ladish. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's EIN?

Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6063602. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 31, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/herman-w-ladish-family-foundation-inc-morg_6938bb3af9664afa9d9df67561c6e317

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396063602_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/herman-w-ladish-family-foundation-inc-morg_6938bb3af9664afa9d9df67561c6e317},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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