Hickory Fund Inc
Hickory Fund Inc (also known as the Ziemann Foundation) is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The foundation was established in 1963 by H.J. Ziemann and Harriet and Lillian Ziemann. It operates as a family foundation with a focus on supporting social service agencies and community-based programs in southeastern Wisconsin.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$272K
-2.9% YoY
Grant Count
14
-30.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+38.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation emphasizes social service agencies and community-based programs that enhance the quality of life of individuals who have disabilities in the southeastern Wisconsin community.
Recent grant activity demonstrates funding across multiple program areas including:
- Disability Services – Special needs trust and futures planning, youth education programs
- Arts & Culture – Renovation and capital projects
- Organizational Development – Vehicle replacement and transportation support
- General Operating Support – Core funding for nonprofit operations
- Accessibility – Capital projects focused on accessibility improvements
- Food Security – Hunger relief initiatives
- Hearing Health – Early intervention programs for children with hearing loss or deafness
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $400 – $50,000
Average Grant
Amount:** Varies by program; general operating support averages $3,850; special programs average $10,000–$25,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on the southeastern Wisconsin community, with offices in Milwaukee.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2024):
- Total Assets: $5,486,141
- Total Revenue: $384,187
- Total Expenses: $325,732
- Total Giving: $280,000–$311,573
- Number of Employees: 0
Investment Performance:
- Investment income and dividends: $118,572 (2024)
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $265,615 (2024)
| 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
84 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Historic Haymarket Milwaukee ($50,000), Lowcountry Food Bank ($25,000), Hear Wisconsin ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY SMILES DENTAL WAUKESHA, WI | GENERAL OPERATING / SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY | $5,000 |
| LOWCOUNTRY FOOD BANK CHARLESTON, SC | CAPITAL / FACILITY EXPANSION IN HAMPTON COUNTY | $25,000 |
| BACKPACK BUDDIES BLUFFTON HARDEEVIL BLUFFTON, SC | GENERAL OPERATING / ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM | $12,000 |
| HEAR WISCONSIN WEST ALLIS, WI | PROGRAM / EARLY INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS OR DEAFNESS | $25,000 |
| FRIENDS OF WEHR NATURE CENTER FRANKLIN, WI | PROJECT / OPERATION RECON NATURE 2.0 | $10,000 |
| ASCEND SERVICES INC MANITOWOC, WI | PROJECT / CAMERA SYSTEM UPGRADE | $10,000 |
| DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WISCON WEST ALLIS, WI | PROJECT / THINK ABILITY WISCONSIN CENTER PHASE II | $25,000 |
| THE FIRST TEE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | CAPITAL / PROGRAM EXPANSION IN BEAUFORT AND JASPER COUNTIES | $7,500 |
| HISTORIC HAYMARKET MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE, WI | CAPITAL / ACCESSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE MUSEUM | $50,000 |
| HOPE CENTER WAUKESHA, WI | CAPITAL / NEW BUILDING | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cynthia L Linnan – President/Director
- John P Linnan – Treasurer/Director
- Nicholas K Linnan – Vice President
- Jennifer D'Amato – Secretary/Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELISSA ROBERTS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JENNIFER D'AMATO | SEC / DIR | — | — |
| CYNTHIA L LINNAN | PRES / DIR | — | — |
| JOHN P LINNAN | TREASURER / DIR | — | — |
| NICHOLAS K LINNAN | VICE PRES / DIR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 10361 W Innovation Drive, Suite 350, Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: (414) 203-8040
Website: hickoryfund.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hickory Fund Inc fund?
The foundation emphasizes social service agencies and community-based programs that enhance the quality of life of individuals who have disabilities in the southeastern Wisconsin community. Recent grant activity demonstrates funding across multiple program areas including: • **Disability Services** – Special needs trust and futures planning, youth education programs • **Arts & Culture** – Renovation and capital projects • **Organizational Development** – Vehicle replacement and transportation s…
How do I apply for a grant from Hickory Fund Inc?
**Grant Range:** $400 – $50,000 **Median Grant Amount:** $15,000 **Average Grant Amount:** Varies by program; general operating support averages $3,850; special programs average $10,000–$25,000 **Giving Rate:** 5.6% of assets **Recent Grants Awarded (2024):** • Historic Haymarket Milwaukee – $50,000 (Capital/Accessibility in the Future Museum) • Nourish Up – $25,000 (Capital/Hunger Hub Phase II) • HEAR Wisconsin – $25,000 (Program/Early Intervention for Children with Hearing Loss or Deafness) *…
Where does Hickory Fund Inc make grants?
The foundation focuses on the southeastern Wisconsin community, with offices in Milwaukee.
What size grants does Hickory Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Hickory Fund Inc awarded 14 grants totaling $272K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Hickory Fund Inc's EIN?
Hickory Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6069677. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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