Highlands Foundation Inc
Highlands Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin. Its 2024 grants went to charitable organizations in Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and New York, including organizations working in higher education, domestic violence services, the arts, and community support.
Highlands Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Highlands Foundation Inc gave $610K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), mostly in Wisconsin. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $610,000
- -94.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $55,455
- -95.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $5,667,314
- -6.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Highlands Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4717 Hammersley Road, Madison, WI 53711-2708
Phone: (608) 271-2233
Website: https://highlandsfoundationinc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Highlands Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ($250K). Together the top 10 received $610K.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 50 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin (51%), the District of Columbia (41%), and New York (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Highlands Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $66K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 91% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 183% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $610K (2024) to $10.4M (2023). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $610K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $250,000 |
| Domestic Abuse Intervention Services Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $100,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation Madison, WI | Division of Plastic Surgery Greatest Need Fund | $100,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation Staten Island, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $50,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation Madison, WI | Cdis Building for the Future Fund | $50,000 |
| Bethel Horizons Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $25,000 |
| United Way of Dane County Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $25,000 |
| Madison Symphony Orchestra League Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $3,000 |
| Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Highlands Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants; in 2023, 9; and in 2022, 10.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,667,314 | $236,680 | $647,073 | $610,000 | 11 | $610,108 | $204,715 | $334,071 |
| 2023 | $6,075,218 | $360,785 | $10,463,248 | $10,427,500 | 9 | $10,427,607 | $579,700 | $766,387 |
| 2022 | $16,152,235 | $169,817 | $829,954 | $772,500 | 10 | $772,596 | $247,545 | $801,310 |
| 2021 | $16,807,622 | $1,089,528 | $7,073,241 | $7,001,500 | 9 | $7,001,593 | $1,033,650 | $947,979 |
| 2020 | $22,830,739 | $1,593,015 | $1,385,412 | $1,289,500 | 11 | — | $1,511,276 | $1,157,691 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Highlands Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $334K for 2024 — 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 available grant records show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services describes its mission as empowering people affected by domestic violence and advocating for social change through support, education, and outreach. The University of Wisconsin Foundation says it promotes the welfare and objectives of the University of Wisconsin–Madison by encouraging engagement and financial support. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions concern community results, artistic experiences, and connections among people, nature, and community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $610,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. Its largest 2024 grants were $250,000 to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, $100,000 to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, and $100,000 to the University of Wisconsin Foundation for its Division of Plastic Surgery Greatest Need Fund. The foundation also gave the University of Wisconsin Foundation $50,000 for its CDIS Building for the Future Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists SUSAN A BAKKE as president, JAMES J BAKKE as vice president, and BLAINE R RENFERT as secretary and treasurer.
Highlands Foundation Inc is led by Susan A. Bakke, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susan A. Bakke
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blaine R. Renfert
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James J. Bakke
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Highlands Foundation Inc
How much does Highlands Foundation Inc give each year?
Highlands Foundation Inc gave $610K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.4M across 9 grants.
What is Highlands Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Highlands Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $55,455, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Highlands Foundation Inc that year got $50K on average.
Where does Highlands Foundation Inc give grants?
Highlands Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (41%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (8 grants).
Does Highlands Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Highlands Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Highlands Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Highlands Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ($250,000), University of Wisconsin Foundation ($150,000 across 2 grants) and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Highlands Foundation Inc?
Highlands Foundation Inc reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $610K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $334K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Highlands Foundation Inc fund?
The available grant records show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services describes its mission as empowering people affected by domestic violence and advocating for social change through support, education, and outreach. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Highlands Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Highlands Foundation Inc's EIN?
Highlands Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3941123. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Highlands Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Highlands Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Highlands Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Highlands Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/highlands-foundation-inc-morg_948e503a96aa4ca390e1ee7857cb3009
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203941123_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Highlands Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/highlands-foundation-inc-morg_948e503a96aa4ca390e1ee7857cb3009},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Highlands 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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