Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd
The Jeffris Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Janesville, Wisconsin, dedicated to historic preservation in the Midwest. Established in 1977, the foundation has become a significant funder of restoration projects for historic structures in small towns and cities across the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+80.1% YoY
Grant Count
12
+20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$126K
+50.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to:
- Support the preservation of history and culture and the unique sense of place in small towns and cities
- Develop significant historic sites in eight Midwestern states
- Assure sustainability and quality restoration through good research and planning
- Inspire and motivate community leaders and local families to support historic preservation in their towns
Projects funded must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or be eligible for listing.
Grantmaking
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds historic preservation projects in eight Midwestern states:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $14,156,192
- Total Giving: $144,315 (based on most recent filing)
- Staff: 3 employees
| 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
57 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Licking County Foundation Inc ($1,145,000), Logan County Landmark Preservation Inc ($220,000), City of Dubuque Iowa ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANTIQUE DOORKNOB COLLECTORS OF AMERICA INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | CHARITABLE - MEMORIAL | $900 |
| CITY OF DUBUQUE IOWA DUBUQUE, IA | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF EAGLE POINT PARK | $50,000 |
| CLINTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILMINGTON, OH | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF ROMBACH PLACE | $23,500 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY INC ELKHART, IN | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF RUTHMERE MANSION | $19,500 |
| EASTEND STUDIO AND GALLERY MARSHALL, MI | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF WAGNERS BLOCK BUILDING | $12,750 |
| FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN INC MADISON, WI | CHARITABLE - DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE | $1,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE STINSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY DISTRICT ANNA, IL | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF STINSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY | $33,665 |
| GREATER GREENFIELD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GREENFIELD, IA | CHARITABLE - TORNADO DISASTER RELIEF | $1,000 |
| LICKING COUNTY FOUNDATION INC NEWARK, OH | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF LOUIS SULLIVAN BUILDING OF NEWARK | $1,145,000 |
| LOGAN COUNTY LANDMARK PRESERVATION INC BELLEFONTAINE, OH | CHARITABLE - RESTORATION OF HOLLAND THEATRE PHASE II | $220,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Tom Jeffris - Founder and President of the Jeffris Family Foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS M JEFFRIS | PRESIDENT/TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 40 | $145,000 |
| PEGGY J SHERIDAN | VICE PRES/SECRETARY/ASST TREASURER | 8 | — |
| ROYCE YEATER | DIRECTOR/FIELD REPRESENTATIVE | 21 | $58,050 |
| NANCY FINEGOOD | DIRECTOR/FIELD REPRESENTATIVE | 20 | $53,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has continued active grantmaking in recent years, including:
Awards to the History Center of Olmsted County for a Challenge Grant
A piece of living history.'' Elkhorn awarded $300,000 Jeffris grant toGrant to the History Center in Ohio for the Heartland Fund
A piece of living history.'' Elkhorn awarded $300,000 Jeffris grant toGrant to Stinson Library for a Historic Structure Report
Jeffris Family Foundation awards Stinson Library Historic Structure ReportOngoing support for restoration projects across the Midwest, with nearly 100 projects funded over the foundation's history
The foundation has been recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its significant commitment to preservation efforts and its strategy of using challenge grants to inspire broader community support for restoration projects.
Jeffris Family Foundation awards Stinson Library Historic Structure ReportSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to: • Support the preservation of history and culture and the unique sense of place in small towns and cities • Develop significant historic sites in eight Midwestern states • Assure sustainability and quality restoration through good research and planning • Inspire and motivate community leaders and local families to support historic preservation in their towns Projects funded must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or be elig…
How do I apply for a grant from Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd?
**Grant Types & Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $250 to $1,145,000 • The foundation offers challenge grants designed to inspire additional community fundraising • Matching grants are available for advanced planning studies for historic preservation **Notable Grants:** • $244,500 challenge grant to Stoughton Opera House (1997), which helped secure additional funding for the opera house's renovation; the building reopened in 2001 • $300,000 grant to Elkhorn for restoration of a 1926 band s…
Where does Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd make grants?
The foundation funds historic preservation projects in eight Midwestern states: • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • Ohio • Wisconsin
What size grants does Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd award?
In 2024, Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd awarded 12 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $126K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd's EIN?
Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1281879. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd'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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