Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation
The Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin, established in 1958. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it has been tax-exempt since June 1963. The foundation is among the largest in Wisconsin and reflects a multigenerational commitment to philanthropy by the Levy family, with a focus on educational, medical, religious, and community organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$6.3M
+642.3% YoY
Grant Count
22
-18.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$287K
+811.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on record. However, its grantmaking priorities focus on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Religious organizations and Jewish nonprofits
- Civic and community service
- Hospital science and research
- Educational research
Grantmaking
The foundation also supports organizations including United Way of Dane County.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $19,484,479
- Total Revenues: $1,081,670
- Total Expenses: $877,468
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1,009,441
- Number of Employees: 0
As of 2024 (most recent filing):
- Total Assets: $14,565,692
- Total Giving: $6,310,000
| 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
168 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Uw Foundation - Phillip a Levy Engineering Hall ($5,000,000), Uw Foundation - L&s Building ($1,000,000), Mayo Clinic ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER - EVJUE CLINIC MADISON, WI | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - BADGER CHAPTER MADISON, WI | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE | $5,000 |
| BETH ISRAEL CENTER MADISON, WI | RELIGIOUS | $10,000 |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH MADISON, WI | RELIGIOUS | $15,000 |
| CONGREGATION SONS OF ABRAHAM - LA CROSSE LA CROSSE, WI | RELIGIOUS | $5,000 |
| DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY MADISON, WI | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE | $5,000 |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICES MADISON, WI | RELIGIOUS | $10,000 |
| MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION MADISON, WI | RELIGIOUS | $25,000 |
| MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER, MN | HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH | $50,000 |
| PORCHLIGHT INC MADISON, WI | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's legacy is connected to the Levy family, including:
- Irving and Dorothy Levy (founders, parents of subsequent generation)
- Marvin Levy and Jeffrey Levy (brothers who operate Madison-based Phillips Distributing Corporation, founded nearly a century ago by their family)
- Phil Levy (brother, passed away in 2021)
The brothers have been instrumental in directing the foundation's philanthropic efforts across educational, medical, religious, and community initiatives.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARVIN J LEVY | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY C LEVY | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JACOB R PETERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERTA HOWELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Levy family has demonstrated ongoing commitment to major institutions and community organizations in Wisconsin, including:
University of Wisconsin-Madison (College of Letters and Science, athletics, Law School, School of Human Ecology, UW Hospital, UW Children's Hospital, Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health)
Meriter Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and Mayo Clinic
Madison Rotary Foundation's scholarship program
April 2024 Program Book by Madison Symphony Orchestra - IssuuUnited Way
Madison Symphony Orchestra
April 2024 Program Book by Madison Symphony Orchestra - IssuuMadison Children's Museum
Madison Public Library
Museum of Contemporary Art
Temples Beth El and Beth Israel
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation fund?
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on record. However, its grantmaking priorities focus on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Religious organizations and Jewish nonprofits • Civic and community service • Hospital science and research • Educational research
How do I apply for a grant from Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 42 grants in 2023 • Typical award range: $100–$5,000,000 • Total giving in 2024: $6,310,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Mayo Clinic: $50,000 (Hospital Science and Research) • State Historical Society of Wisconsin: $25,000 (Civic and Community Service) • Chabad-Lubavitch: $15,000 (Religious) The foundation also supports organizations including United Way of Dane County.
Where does Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
What size grants does Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $6.3M — an average of about $287K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation's EIN?
Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6045321. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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