Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, formed in 2009. It promotes and manages endowed charitable funds, primarily for the benefit of Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties, and distributes gifts from individuals and organizations for the long-term benefit of the communities it serves.
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc gave $2.8M across 75 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), mostly in Wisconsin. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,806,558
- +108.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 75
- +29.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $37,421
- +61.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,200
- Total assets
- $155,148,586
- +34.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (18 of 73, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For the discretionary client funds, eligible charitable organizations may apply when the request matches a fund’s purpose; the website’s listed client-fund opportunities are currently closed. For the three scholarship funds listed as open, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements stated for each fund.
- Contact
Mailing address: 915 Memorial Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 682-5222
Website: https://lakeshorecommunityfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
Adam Steel Family Scholarship Fund
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Eternal Flame and Veterans Memorial Fund
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
John E. Raether and Harold E. Gresholdt Scholarship Fund
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc ($276K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($157,443), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
313 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 261 grants of 313 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its endowment funds primarily benefit Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties. Its 2025 itemized grant dollars went primarily to Wisconsin recipients (89%), with 6% to North Carolina, 3% to Colorado, 1% to Louisiana, and a rounded less than 1% to Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 73 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $16K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2019) to $2.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 75 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc Manitowoc, WI | $4,600 Lakeshore Community Foundation Endowment; $271,850 Operations | $276,450 |
| Dementia Innovations Inc Sheboygan, WI | $50,000 unrestricted; $16,667- a donation on behalf of mike, mark, and scott molepske in memory of their mother, kay schroeder; $70,000 - a donation by mike and amy molepske in honor of their mothers, patti holmes and kay schroeder; $5,000 - a donation in honor of jim holmes as a birthday gift; $100,000 livasu project | $241,667 |
| Lakeshore First Robotics Programs Manitowoc, WI | Unrestricted | $180,000 |
| Manitowoc County Historical Society Manitowoc, WI | $450 endowment fund; $10,000 annual appeal; $56,150 unrestricted; $102,000 meeme house loan | $168,600 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | Unrestricted | $160,000 |
| Roncalli Catholic Schools Manitowoc, WI | $20,000 roncalli high school; $20,000 roncalli middle school; $20,000 roncalli elementary school; $98,950 roncalli high school scholarships | $158,950 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $151,543 |
| Manitowoc Public School District Foundation Manitowoc, WI | Scholarships | $134,810 |
| Capitol Civic Centre Inc Manitowoc, WI | $69,000 Unrestricted; $50,000 Endowment | $119,000 |
| Compassion International Colorado Springs, CO | Unrestricted | $90,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $155,148,586 | $26,474,338 | $3,657,101 | $2,806,558 | 75 | $5,924,443 |
| 2024 | $115,562,778 | $16,802,979 | $1,980,681 | $1,344,438 | 58 | $3,661,003 |
| 2023 | $91,205,472 | $13,617,516 | $1,791,149 | $1,270,406 | 53 | $2,000,565 |
| 2022 | $68,694,276 | $7,908,496 | $2,163,783 | $1,675,776 | 63 | $1,932,056 |
| 2021 | $63,225,360 | $5,447,906 | $2,442,942 | $1,935,675 | 64 | $2,434,276 |
| 2020 | $53,091,226 | $5,804,864 | $1,745,009 | $1,460,651 | 49 | $1,615,774 |
| 2019 | $43,299,229 | $4,685,331 | $1,555,210 | $1,202,211 | 36 | $924,600 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to gather, grow, and give endowed charitable financial resources to build stronger, more vibrant communities now and into the future.” Its stated value is to manage clients’ philanthropic endowments in perpetuity while focusing on minimizing costs and fees to maximize impact.
The foundation’s grant recipients illustrate a range of supported work. Dementia Innovations Inc describes its mission as supporting people living with dementia through education, community collaboration, and dignity of risk, with plans ultimately to include development of a village. Capitol Civic Centre Inc says it aims to elevate the community’s creative culture and quality of life. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum says it connects people with Wisconsin’s waterways and maritime history through education, preservation, exhibits, and research. Other recipients include scholarship and education organizations, health and research institutions, and human-services organizations.
Grantmaking
Separately, the filing’s itemized grant data lists 75 grants totaling $2,806,558, ranging from $5,250 to $276,450, with a median of $12,200.
Among the largest itemized 2025 grants were $241,667 to Dementia Innovations Inc, $180,000 to Lakeshore First Robotics Programs, $168,600 to Manitowoc County Historical Society, $160,000 to Samaritan’s Purse, $158,950 to Roncalli Catholic Schools, and $137,994 to Lakeshore Technical College Foundation Inc. The filing lists purposes including unrestricted support, scholarships, endowment contributions, research, and specific programs.
The foundation’s website says that some client funds make distributions through discretionary grant processes and that eligible charitable organizations may apply to the listed funds when a request aligns with a fund’s purpose. It describes staff completeness and eligibility checks, Grants Committee review and recommendation, and Board approval. The website also says grant recipients may have to accept written terms before payment and may be asked to report on use of funds or participate in site visits or interviews. The listed client-fund opportunities on that page are currently closed.
Separately, three scholarship funds are listed as currently open: the Adam Steel Family Scholarship Fund for eligible Manitowoc County residents enrolled in nursing programs at Lakeshore Technical College; the John E. Raether and Harold E. Gresholdt Scholarship Fund for students pursuing post-secondary education who attend Lincoln, Lutheran, or an individual recipient Schools; and the Richard F. Brindza Memorial Scholarship Fund for Manitowoc Public School District students pursuing trade programs at Lakeshore Technical College.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas Aschenbrenner as chairman, James Vopat as vice president, Thomas Bare as treasurer, Jane Pfeffer as secretary, and Richard Balge, Randall Olm, Grant Pauly, Alex Allie, and Pamela Langan as directors. Rachel Wiegert is listed as chief executive officer.
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc is led by Rachel Wiegert, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2019; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rachel Wiegert
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$98K (2019) → $175K (2025)
Thomas Aschenbrenner
Chairman
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randall Olm
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Balge
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grant Pauly
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Allie
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Langan
Director
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Vopat
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Pfeffer
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Bare
Treasurer
Vice President → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joseph Diraimondo (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Sandra Sachse (2019–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $175K, to Rachel Wiegert (Chief Executive Officer).
Frequently asked questions about Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc
How much does Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc gave $2.8M across 75 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 58 grants.
What is Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $12,200, and its average grant was $37,421, across 75 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc that year got $29K on average.
Where does Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Manitowoc, WI (28 grants), Sheboygan, WI (14 grants), Milwaukee, WI (6 grants) and Two Rivers, WI (4 grants).
Does Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 61% of Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 75) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc ($276,450), Dementia Innovations Inc ($241,667) and Lakeshore First Robotics Programs ($180,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($157,443), which are not listed by name. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc?
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc reported $155.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.5M.
What does Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to gather, grow, and give endowed charitable financial resources to build stronger, more vibrant communities now and into the future.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc?
For the discretionary client funds, eligible charitable organizations may apply when the request matches a fund’s purpose; the website’s listed client-fund opportunities are currently closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0978059. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 6, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lakeshore-community-foundation-inc-morg_42d725a1dd23442ab5cb87d647c2402a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270978059_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lakeshore-community-foundation-inc-morg_42d725a1dd23442ab5cb87d647c2402a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Lakeshore Community Foundation 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.
Lakeshore Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?