Hickory Fund Inc

MILWAUKEE, WI EIN: 39-6069677

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

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

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

5states

Cities

BEAVER DAMBLUFFTONBLYTHEWOODCHARLESTONCHARLOTTEFRANKLINGRAFTONGREEN BAYGREENFIELDHAYWARDHILTON HEADHILTON HEAD ISLANDHUDSONINDIANAPOLISMANITOWOCMILWAUKEEOREGONWALWORTHWAUKESHAWAUWATOSA

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)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$82K$163K$245K$326K16 grants202014 grants202120 grants202220 grants202314 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

HISTORIC HAYMARKET MILWA…$50KLOWCOUNTRY FOOD BANK$25KHEAR WISCONSIN$25KDOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATIO…$25KHOPE CENTER$25KSECOND HELPINGS$25KNOURISH UP$25KHILTON HEAD ISLAND DEEP …$20KBACKPACK BUDDIES BLUFFTO…$12KFRIENDS OF WEHR NATURE C…$10K

Grant Size Distribution

84 grants across all recorded years

82<$50K2$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

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

NameTitleHoursCompensation
MELISSA ROBERTSDIRECTOR
JENNIFER D'AMATOSEC / DIR
CYNTHIA L LINNANPRES / DIR
JOHN P LINNANTREASURER / DIR
NICHOLAS K LINNANVICE PRES / DIR

Contact Information

Address: 10361 W Innovation Drive, Suite 350, Milwaukee, WI 53226

Phone: (414) 203-8040

Website: hickoryfund.org

Related Funders

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

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