The Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1994 and based in Milford, Michigan. The foundation was created to fulfill the vision of Hilda E. Bretzlaff, who passed away in 1993, with the support of close family friends who became its trustees. The foundation focuses on advancing conservative educational principles and supporting students pursuing higher education.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.4M
+144.1% YoY
Grant Count
45
-54.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$254K
+431.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $329K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides educational grants to assist students in attending educational institutions in the United States or England that promote high educational, moral, and conservative ideals. The foundation's mission reflects Hilda E. Bretzlaff's love of America and her commitment to advancing principles of democracy, free economy, and free enterprise through education.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation awards scholarships and educational grants to support students pursuing college degrees. Typical grant awards range from $500 to $1,500,000.
Invitation Only
** Scholarship applications are by invitation only. Interested students may contact educational institutions for more information about the application process.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds educational institutions and students in Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, as well as institutions in England.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $0 (as of most recent filing)
Total Giving: $11,426,750
The foundation filed a final return as of 2023.
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $11,783,817 | $15,340,483 |
| Revenue | $290,286 | $1,732,367 | $3,155,955 |
| Expenses | $11,943,850 | $5,346,004 | $3,880,954 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $11,778,822 | $5,016,323 | $3,651,496 |
| Net Investment Income | $105,256 | $1,391,747 | $2,926,497 |
| Distributable Amount | $329,378 | $691,892 | $862,710 |
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
195 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Alice Lloyd College ($1,500,000), Cairn University ($1,200,000), John M Ashbrook Center ($800,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | Education | $1,500,000 |
| Ashland University Ashland, OH | Education | $60,000 |
| Ave Maria University Ave Maria, FL | Education | $100,000 |
| Cairn University Langhorne, PA | Education | $1,200,000 |
| Chesterton Academy Clinton Twp, MI | Education | $85,000 |
| Chciago Hope Adademy Chicago, IL | Education | $225,000 |
| Concordia Seminary St Louis, MO | Education | $300,000 |
| Conc Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, IN | Education | $65,000 |
| Concordia University Mequon, WI | Education | $50,000 |
| Detroit Cristo Rey Detroit, MI | Education | $125,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a board of trustees that includes:
- Gerry Radtke (Trustee)
- Janelle Radtke (Trustee)
- Kathleen Lindbeck (Trustee, daughter of Gerry and Janelle Radtke)
- Susan Vogt (Trustee, sister of Gerry Radtke)
The Radtke family became trustees after learning of Hilda E. Bretzlaff's wishes. Gerry Radtke's relationship with the Bretzlaff family began in his teenage years when he delivered newspapers to them, which developed into a close family friendship.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been actively supporting conservative education for nearly 30 years. In recent years, it has helped thousands of students across the country obtain college educations aligned with conservative principles. The foundation has also supported internship programs, including sponsorship of approximately 25 college students in 10-week summer internship programs.
Love of America Leads Bretzlaff Foundation to Support Conservative Education\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation provides educational grants to assist students in attending educational institutions in the United States or England that promote high educational, moral, and conservative ideals. The foundation's mission reflects Hilda E. Bretzlaff's love of America and her commitment to advancing principles of democracy, free economy, and free enterprise through education. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Huma…
How do I apply for a grant from Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc?
The foundation awards scholarships and educational grants to support students pursuing college degrees. Typical grant awards range from $500 to $1,500,000. **Application Process:** Scholarship applications are by invitation only. Interested students may contact educational institutions for more information about the application process. **Selection Criteria:** Recipients are selected based on financial need. Applicants must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. **Additiona…
Where does Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds educational institutions and students in Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, as well as institutions in England.
What size grants does Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc award?
In 2023, Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc awarded 45 grants totaling $11.4M — an average of about $254K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $329K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc's EIN?
Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2619845. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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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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