Kohler Foundation Inc
Kohler Foundation Inc. is a private foundation established in 1940 and located in Kohler, Wisconsin. The foundation was founded by Evangeline Kohler, Marie C. Kohler, Lillie B. Kohler, Herbert V. Kohler, Sr., and O.A. Kroos. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity and has been tax-exempt since June 1941. The foundation's work encompasses five major areas of concentration: art preservation, grants, scholarships, a performing arts series (the Distinguished Guest Series), and the management of the Waelderhaus, an historic home.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.8M
-94.4% YoY
Grant Count
165
-18.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
-93.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Kohler Foundation supports the arts and education, with particular emphasis on:
- Arts and Education: Primary focus areas for funding and programming
- Art Preservation: Since the 1970s, preservation of art environments, folk architecture, and collections by self-taught artists has been a major focus
- STEAM Programs: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics initiatives
- Arts Access: Projects that increase arts access through transportation, visiting artists, or distance learning
- Community Cultural Programming: Including performing arts series and educational workshops
The foundation prioritizes new initiatives and projects that create lasting impact disproportionate to the grant amount.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Primary Focus: Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
- Secondary Focus: Rural areas throughout Wisconsin
- Broader Reach: Awards grants primarily within the state of Wisconsin, though the foundation has supported projects across multiple states including California, New York, Illinois, and Kansas
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $371 million to $413.7 million
- Annual Revenue: $294.4 million (2023)
- Annual Expenses: $4.53 million (2023)
- Total Liabilities: $603 (2023)
- Annual Income: $24.2 million
Grant Activity:
- Total Giving: $3.7 million to $67.4 million (varies by reporting source and year)
- Average Grant Size: $1,000
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Kohler Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Addison Gallery of Am Art at Phillips Academy ($78,651), Gerberhart Archives ($51,700), Fairfield University ($47,151).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 547 ARTS CENTER GREENSBURG, KS | MEEKER & ANDERSON COLLECTION | $39,625 |
| ABOVE & BEYOND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SHEBOYGAN, WI | DARE TO DREAM SUMMER CAMP | $7,500 |
| ADDISON GALLERY OF AM ART AT PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER, MA | BARBARA ROSSI COLLECTION | $5,050 |
| ADDISON GALLERY OF AM ART AT PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER, MA | STELLA WAITZKIN 2021 | $78,651 |
| AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE OF WISCONSIN INC SPRING GREEN, WI | AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE'S ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING IN WISCONSIN SCHOOLS | $10,000 |
| ASCEND SERVICES INC MANITOWOC, WI | COLORS OF CONNECTION: EMPOWERING THROUGH ART | $3,000 |
| BELLADONNA FILM PROJECT INC CHICAGO, WI | SHEBOYGAN FILM FESTIVAL | $10,000 |
| BELOIT COLLEGE BELOIT, WI | INDEPENDENT COLLEGE GRANT | $25,000 |
| BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC BOSTON, MA | INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP PAID DIRECTLY TO THE EDUCATIOINAL INSTITUTION | $10,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WI SHORELINE SHEBOYGAN, WI | MENTOR U PILOT | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Angela Ramey: Executive Director
- Carissa Klein: Staff Accountant
- Ashley Carrasquillo: Marketing & Administration Manager
- Beth Wiza: Preservation Project Manager
- Dan Smith: Collections & Logistics Coordinator
- Jen Balge: Program Coordinator & Waelderhaus Manager
- Amy H Molepske: Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARLA ROSS | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT KAUTZER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LAURA KOHLER | SECRETARY & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kohler Foundation Inc fund?
Kohler Foundation supports the arts and education, with particular emphasis on: • **Arts and Education**: Primary focus areas for funding and programming • **Art Preservation**: Since the 1970s, preservation of art environments, folk architecture, and collections by self-taught artists has been a major focus • **STEAM Programs**: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics initiatives • **Arts Access**: Projects that increase arts access through transportation, visiting artists, or …
How do I apply for a grant from Kohler Foundation Inc?
**Grant Amounts and Availability:** • Grants of up to $10,000 are available • Preference given to new projects and programs • Typical awards range from $150 to $53,690,000 based on historical data **Eligibility:** • Tax-exempt public charities (Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)) • Public institutions such as schools or governmental entities **Application Process:** • Grant portal opens July 15 and closes September 15 annually • Applicants must follow submission guidelines and funding crit…
Where does Kohler Foundation Inc make grants?
• **Primary Focus**: Sheboygan County, Wisconsin • **Secondary Focus**: Rural areas throughout Wisconsin • **Broader Reach**: Awards grants primarily within the state of Wisconsin, though the foundation has supported projects across multiple states including California, New York, Illinois, and Kansas
What size grants does Kohler Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Kohler Foundation Inc awarded 165 grants totaling $3.8M — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Kohler Foundation Inc's EIN?
Kohler Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-0810536. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kohler Foundation Inc'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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