John C Bock Foundation
The John C Bock Foundation is a private foundation based in Pickett, Wisconsin. It supports preservation and enhancement of natural areas, with a particular emphasis on mature woodlands and old-growth forests in Wisconsin.
John C Bock Foundation at a glance
In short: John C Bock Foundation gave $352K across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Wisconsin. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $352,300
- +20.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- -3.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,148
- +25.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $7,065,028
- +6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (2 of 29, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to John C Bock Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants should contact Martin Childs IV and use the form and materials specified on the foundation’s website. The filing states that the primary focus is old-growth forests in Wisconsin; it directs applicants to the website for more information.
- Review Cycle
- May 31.
- Deadline
- May 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Martin Childs Iv
Mailing address: 155 N Wacker Drive Suite 3200, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 715-5000
Website: https://www.bockfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John C Bock Foundation
Who John C Bock Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northland College ($100K). Together the top 10 received $240K.
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 150 grants of 152 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its primary focus is old-growth forests in Wisconsin. Its program description identifies natural areas near Lake Mendota as a particular focus. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 6% to Illinois, 3% to New York, and 2% to New Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is John C Bock Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 29 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $253K (2020) to $377K (2022). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $352K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northland College Ashland, WI | Environmental Education | $100,000 |
| Door County Land Trust Inc Sturgeon Bay, WI | Environmental Conservation | $40,000 |
| Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Inc Appleton, WI | Environmental Conservation | $20,000 |
| The Baird Creek Preservation Foundation Inc Green Bay, WI | Environmental Conservation and Restoration | $10,000 |
| Gathering Waters Inc Madison, WI | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| National Audubon Society Inc New York, NY | Environmental Restoration | $10,000 |
| Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin Inc Madison, WI | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Northwoods Land Trust Inc Eagle River, WI | Environmental Conservation | $10,000 |
| Urban Tree Alliance Ltd Madison, WI | Environmental Restoration | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,065,028 | $946,050 | $506,254 | $352,300 | 29 | $410,800 | $851,163 | $426,569 |
| 2023 | $6,625,272 | $385,896 | $438,589 | $291,338 | 30 | $349,838 | $321,050 | $391,139 |
| 2022 | $6,677,968 | $245,321 | $586,994 | $376,551 | 32 | $483,493 | $172,202 | $414,617 |
| 2021 | $7,018,986 | $1,408,237 | $559,595 | $369,000 | 37 | $466,061 | $1,321,923 | $480,633 |
| 2020 | $6,169,452 | $534,598 | $416,955 | $253,125 | 24 | — | $461,326 | $403,014 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John C Bock Foundation reported a distributable amount of $427K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission centers on public education—particularly for builders and developers—about conserving and stewarding natural resources, emphasizing mature woodlands and old-growth forests. It supports related educational activities and research, as well as qualifying conservation organizations engaged in protecting landscapes with mature woodlands and old-growth forests.
Its 2024 grantees included land trusts and other conservation organizations. For example, Door County Land Trust describes its mission as preserving Door County’s exceptional lands and waters; Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust says it preserves lands that protect waters, landscapes, and natural habitats; and Northwoods Land Trust says it permanently conserves natural shorelands, woodlands, and other natural resources. These are the grantees’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 29 grants totaling $352,300. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $100,000, with a median of $7,500. The largest award was $100,000 to Northland College for environmental education. Other notable grants included $40,000 to Door County Land Trust for environmental conservation; $20,000 each to Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest for general operating support and Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust for environmental conservation; and $10,000 each to several organizations, including Gathering Waters, National Audubon Society, and Northwoods Land Trust.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carl Bock, Jennifer Vallo, Luke Seggelink, Jeremy Shea, and Peter Mortenson as trustees.
John C Bock Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carl Bock
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Jeremy Shea
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Luke Seggelink
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Peter Mortenson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Jennifer Vallo
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$13K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sharon Bock (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $13K, to Carl Bock (Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John C Bock Foundation
How much does John C Bock Foundation give each year?
John C Bock Foundation gave $352K across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $291K across 30 grants.
What is John C Bock Foundation's typical grant size?
John C Bock Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $12,148, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John C Bock Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does John C Bock Foundation give grants?
John C Bock Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (6 grants), Milwaukee, WI (3 grants), Eagle River, WI (2 grants) and West Bend, WI (2 grants).
Does John C Bock Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 17% of John C Bock Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Environmental Restoration" (8 grants), "Environmental Education" (6 grants) and "Environmental Conservation" (5 grants).
Who are John C Bock Foundation's largest grantees?
John C Bock Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northland College ($100,000), Door County Land Trust Inc ($40,000) and Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John C Bock Foundation?
John C Bock Foundation reported $7.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $411K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $427K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does John C Bock Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission centers on public education—particularly for builders and developers—about conserving and stewarding natural resources, emphasizing mature woodlands and old-growth forests. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John C Bock Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John C Bock Foundation's EIN?
John C Bock Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6014448. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work John C Bock Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John C Bock Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-c-bock-foundation-morg_41275e4eb9f0481db093382033e0d219
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_266014448_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John C Bock Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-c-bock-foundation-morg_41275e4eb9f0481db093382033e0d219},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-03. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from John C Bock Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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