J M Foundation
J M Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its most recent filing is for 2020, and no filings have been recorded since. The foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
J M Foundation at a glance
In short: J M Foundation gave $1.1M across 20 grants in 2020 (avg $54K), top state California. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $1,083,500
- Grants made (2020)
- 20
- Average grant
- $54,175
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $26,704,619
- Primary geography
- California (27% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to J M Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2020 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 342 N Water Steet No 649, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (609) 951-2283
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who J M Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Hoover Institution ($290K). Together the top 10 received $931K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 20 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2020 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were California (27%), Georgia (24%), Wisconsin (8%), South Carolina (8%), and Kentucky (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 20 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hoover Institution Stanford, CA | General Support | $290,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of America Atlanta, GA | Leadership Development at Local Clubs | $260,000 |
| Board Matching Gifts Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $85,500 |
| Entitlements How Lexington, KY | General Support | $75,000 |
| South Carolina Coastal Conservation Charleston, SC | General Support | $60,000 |
| The James Madison Institute for Public Policy Studies Inc Tallahassee, FL | General Support | $50,000 |
| Center for American Greatness Inc Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $35,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry Bluffton, SC | General Support | $25,000 |
| Commonwealth Foundation Harrisburg, PA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Empire Center Albany, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $26,704,619 | $243,450 | $1,521,206 | $1,083,500 | 20 | $100,314 | $1,221,907 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J M Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2020 grants went to organizations working in areas including public policy, civic engagement, conservation, leadership development, and cultural and intellectual activities. These are areas reflected in the grantees’ own stated missions, rather than a mission statement for the foundation.
For example, the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League described its mission as advocating to protect South Carolina’s coastal environment. The James Madison Institute said it works to inform Florida citizens about government and advance free-market ideas in public policy. The Center for American Greatness described its work as defending limited, constitutional government, while the Garden State Initiative said it seeks to strengthen New Jersey through policy solutions that promote investment, business growth, and economic opportunity. Other 2020 grantees included organizations whose stated missions involve civic engagement, conservative principles, student education, and cultural and intellectual activities.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation made 20 grants totaling $1,083,500. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $290,000, with a median of $25,000.
Notable 2020 grants included $290,000 to the Hoover Institution for general support; $260,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of America for leadership development at local clubs; $85,500 to Board Matching Gifts for general support; $75,000 to Entitlements HOW for general support; and $60,000 to South Carolina Coastal Conservation for general support. Other recipients included the James Madison Institute ($50,000), Center for American Greatness ($35,000), Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry ($25,000), Commonwealth Foundation ($25,000), Empire Center ($25,000), FreedomWorks Foundation ($25,000), and Garden State Initiative ($25,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2020 filing were Chris Olander, executive director emeritus/assistant secretary; Jeremiah Bogert, vice president; Jeremiah Milbank III, president; Peter C. Morse, secretary/treasurer; and Carl Helstrom, executive director/assistant treasurer.
J M Foundation is led by Carl Helstrom, Executive Director & Assistant Tr on the 2020 filing; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2020 are compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Carl Helstrom
Executive Director & Assistant Tr
New on the 2020 filing
20 hrs/week
$119K (2020)
Jeremiah Milbank III
President
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Olander
Executive Director Emeritus & Assistant Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
10 hrs/week
$21K (2020)
Jeremiah Bogert
Vice President
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter C. Morse
Secretary & Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $119K, to Carl Helstrom (Executive Director/Asst Tr). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about J M Foundation
How much does J M Foundation give each year?
J M Foundation gave $1.1M across 20 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is J M Foundation's typical grant size?
J M Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $25,000, and its average grant was $54,175, across 20 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does J M Foundation give grants?
J M Foundation's top state is California, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Georgia (24%) and Wisconsin (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does J M Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 80% of J M Foundation's 2020 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are J M Foundation's largest grantees?
J M Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Hoover Institution ($290,000), Boys and Girls Clubs of America ($260,000) and Board Matching Gifts ($85,500), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
How large is J M Foundation?
J M Foundation reported $26.7M in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $243K.
What does J M Foundation fund?
The foundation’s 2020 grants went to organizations working in areas including public policy, civic engagement, conservation, leadership development, and cultural and intellectual activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from J M Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2020 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is J M Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, J M Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is J M Foundation's EIN?
J M Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6068340. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does J M Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
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J M Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?