Joy Engine Inc
Joy Engine Inc is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin public charity that supports public art, music, and performance intended to inspire, educate, and enhance the well-being of Milwaukee communities. The organization was formed in 2019 and says it works to create inclusive, free, family-friendly public art experiences in Milwaukee.
Joy Engine Inc at a glance
In short: Joy Engine Inc gave $97K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $97,356
- -9.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +233.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,736
- -72.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,022,162
- -9.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Joy Engine Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1100 South 5Th Street 317, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Phone: (414) 214-9998
Website: https://joyengine.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Joy Engine Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Funk Enterpises LLC ($10K). Together the top 10 received $97K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 24 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars itemized for 2024 went to recipients in Wisconsin. The 2026 Joy Grant criteria specified projects in the City of Milwaukee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Joy Engine Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $59K (2022) to $363K (2020). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $97K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Funk Enterpises LLC Milwaukee, WI | River Roundup | $10,000 |
| Historic King Drive Business Improvement District Inc Milwaukee, WI | 2024 Community Challenge Grant Winner | $10,000 |
| Harbor District Inc Milwaukee, WI | 2024 Community Challenge Grant Winner | $10,000 |
| Cosecha Creative Milwaukee, WI | 2024 Community Challenge Grant Winner | $10,000 |
| Arts Large Milwaukee, WI | Sponsorship 2024 | $10,000 |
| Art Intersection MKE Milwaukee, WI | Sponsorship 2024 | $10,000 |
| Latino Arts Inc Milwaukee, WI | Sponsorship 2024 | $10,000 |
| Millennian LLC Milwaukee, WI | Frams Sponsorship - Small Spaces Project | $10,000 |
| The Middle Ground Inc Milwaukee, WI | 2024 Community Challenge Grant Winner | $9,856 |
| Bernard Art Studio LLC Milwaukee, WI | Sponsorship 2024 | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,022,162 | $181,262 | $404,250 | $97,356 | 10 | $11,220 |
| 2023 | $2,244,657 | $83,962 | $530,562 | $107,500 | 3 | $16,562 |
| 2022 | $2,702,362 | $2,870,459 | $272,388 | $59,022 | 6 | — |
| 2021 | $171,697 | $660,563 | $670,923 | $180,000 | 1 | $4,390 |
| 2020 | $84,521 | $825,216 | $778,366 | $362,500 | 4 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission stated in the 2024 filing is to support public art, music, and performance that inspires, educates, and enhances the well-being of Milwaukee communities. The organization’s website also describes its work as bringing public art to life through inclusive experiences and partnerships with local and international artists.
The JOY Grant’s stated areas include projects that improve public spaces and civic engagement, support diversity, equity and inclusion, or pursue innovative ideas that support a community. The 2026 eligibility criteria specified projects in Milwaukee that are publicly accessible without an admission or entrance fee and take place in the applicant’s neighborhood of residence or work. The program listed artists, students and student organizations, government entities, neighborhood associations and improvement districts, schools, cultural centers, community organizations, and 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofits as eligible applicant types; other artists and organizations could be considered case by case.
Grantees reflect a range of local arts and community organizations. Latino Arts Inc., which received a 2024 grant, says its mission is to preserve and strengthen Hispanic cultural heritage and increase cultural awareness through performances, exhibits, and education. Harbor District Inc., also a 2024 recipient, says it works to revitalize Milwaukee’s Harbor District by connecting people, supporting a healthy business community, and improving the natural environment.
Grantmaking
In 2024, JOY ENGINE reported 10 grants totaling $97,356. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $10,000, with a median of $10,000. The 2026 Joy Grant round awarded $55,000 to eight Milwaukee public art projects, according to the organization’s January 2026 announcement.
Among the 2024 grants were $10,000 to Funk Enterprises LLC for “River Roundup”; $10,000 each to Historic King Drive Business Improvement District Inc., Harbor District Inc., Cosecha Creative, and The Middle Ground Inc. as “2024 Community Challenge Grant Winner” awards; and $10,000 each to Arts Large, Art Intersection MKE, and Latino Arts Inc. for “Sponsorship 2024.” Millennian LLC received $10,000 for “Frams Sponsorship - Small Spaces Project,” and Bernard Art Studio LLC received $7,500 for “Sponsorship 2024.”
For the 2026 cycle, the website listed partisan, political, or election-related activities; planning or studies without tangible engagement or follow-up action; book or report publication; land, building, or vehicle purchases; sponsorship of other organizations’ events or activities; research and development; and promotion of a for-profit entity or its products and services among ineligible activities. The 2026 recipients were announced in January 2026; the website materials do not state a deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Doug McDonald as president; Monique Charlier as vice president; Margaret Czaplewski as secretary/treasurer; John Blust, Jacobo Lovo, Joanna Bautch, and Holly Potter as board members; and Stephanie Salvia as executive director. The organization’s website also identifies Hannah Hernandez as special projects manager.
Joy Engine Inc is led by Stephanie Salvia, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephanie Salvia
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$56K (2022) → $85K (2024)
Doug McDonald
President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Czaplewski
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monique Charlier
Vice President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacobo Lovo
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Potter
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joanna Bautch
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Blust
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Ian Abston (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Brandon Minga (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sorrina Beecher (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Deborah Kern (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Douglass McDonald (2020) — Vice President
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 $85K, to Stephanie Salvia (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Joy Engine Inc
How much does Joy Engine Inc give each year?
Joy Engine Inc gave $97K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $108K across 3 grants.
What is Joy Engine Inc's typical grant size?
Joy Engine Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,736, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Joy Engine Inc give grants?
Joy Engine Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (10 grants).
Does Joy Engine Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Joy Engine Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2024 Community Challenge Grant Winner" (4 grants) and "Sponsorship 2024" (4 grants).
Who are Joy Engine Inc's largest grantees?
Joy Engine Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Funk Enterpises LLC ($10,000), Historic King Drive Business Improvement District Inc ($10,000) and Harbor District Inc ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Joy Engine Inc?
Joy Engine Inc reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $181K.
What does Joy Engine Inc fund?
The mission stated in the 2024 filing is to support public art, music, and performance that inspires, educates, and enhances the well-being of Milwaukee communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joy Engine Inc?
Joy Engine Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check joyengine.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Joy Engine Inc's EIN?
Joy Engine Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4487295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joy Engine Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joy Engine Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joy-engine-inc-morg_e8c68b083f104bdf8aa018b95f9a65a4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_834487295_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joy Engine Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joy-engine-inc-morg_e8c68b083f104bdf8aa018b95f9a65a4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Joy Engine Inc'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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