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.
Key facts about Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd
- EIN
- 39-1281879
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,023,725
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- Average grant
- $85,310
- Median grant
- $26,625
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (7 of 12, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd's 12 itemized 2025 grants were Wisconsin (66%), Michigan (15%) and Ohio (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Janesville, WI (2 grants). 17% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 12 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $140K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $1K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.0M
-32.2% YoY
Grant Count
12
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$85K
-32.2% 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
Ready to take the next step with Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd?
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
Share of all 12 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
58 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 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Kenosha County Wisconsin ($675,000), Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association ($150,000), The Hegeler Carus Foundation ($55,575).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| KENOSHA COUNTY WISCONSIN Kenosha, WI | RESTORATION OF COURTROOM | $675,000 |
| SABLE POINTS LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS ASSOCIATION Ludington, MI | RESTORATION OF LIGHT STATION | $150,000 |
| THE HEGELER CARUS FOUNDATION Peru, IL | RESTORATION OF HEGELER CARUS MANSION | $55,575 |
| FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO Nelsonville, OH | MACEDONIA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH | $36,500 |
| OVERFIELD TAVERN MUSEUM Troy, OH | RESTORATION OF OVERFIELD TAVERN | $29,500 |
| CITY OF LOGANSPORT INDIANA Logansport, IN | RESTORATION OF KENDRICK-BALDWIN HOUSE | $28,250 |
| EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOCIATION INC Milan, OH | RESTORATION OF THOMAS ALVA EDISON BIRTHPLACE | $25,000 |
| NEW ULM TURNVEREIN New Ulm, MN | RESTORATION OF NEW ULM TURNER HALL | $20,000 |
| FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN INC Madison, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ROCK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Janesville, WI | HOLIDAY TREE SPONSORSHIP | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Tom Jeffris - Founder and President of the Jeffris Family Foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS 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 | 23 | $91,100 |
| Nancy Finegood | Director/Field Representative | 20 | $54,750 |
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 2025, Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd awarded 12 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $85K 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 2019–2025.
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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.