The Legacy Foundation of Central Wisconsin is a private foundation based in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, established in 2015 and granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that same year. The foundation exists to improve the health and well-being of communities in central Wisconsin through collaborative work with public health organizations, social service agencies, school districts, and health systems.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$8.1M
Grant Count
22
Avg Grant Size
$369K
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to create healthy communities throughout central Wisconsin. Its funding priorities center on:
- Health and Medical Initiatives — Community health grants, health and wellness programs, and school health initiatives
- Youth Development — Recreation and sports programs, youth development initiatives
- Human Services — Social service support and community development
- Education — Educational programs and initiatives
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism — Grantmaking and community engagement
Grantmaking
The foundation operates as a private foundation through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grants are awarded to preselected organizations through an invitation-only process. The foundation does not maintain a publicly listed website, email, or phone number, and all contact information is managed privately.
Grant Range
$100,000 to $3,000,000
Average Grant
$311,000 to $459,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on central Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on Wood County and surrounding areas. Supported communities include Babcock, Madison, Marshfield, Nekoosa, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Stevens Point, Weston, and Wisconsin Rapids.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of June 2024):
- Total assets: $141.3 million to $142.4 million
- Total revenues: $7.98 million
- Total expenses: $8.54 million
- Total liabilities: $0
- Investment income and dividends: $4.08 million
- Net rental income: $324,748
Annual Giving:
- 2024: $8.1 to $8.5 million in total giving
- 2023: $7.8 million in grants (17 grants)
- 2022: $7.2 million in grants (23 grants)
| Metric | 2025 | 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include John E Alexander Ymca Community Ce ($975,000), Discover Rome Area Family Trails ($938,992), South Wood Co Humane Society ($800,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACACIA FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL WI IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | WOOD COUNTY K9 PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | MEALS ON WHEELS SUSTAINABILITY | $525,935 |
| CHILDREN'S SERVICE SOCIETY OF WI WAUSAU, WI | GRANT | $42,122 |
| CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | ZOO | $360,000 |
| DISCOVER ROME AREA FAMILY TRAILS NEKOOSA, WI | TRAIL & TUNNEL | $938,992 |
| FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | NEW FACILITY | $50,000 |
| FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | TECHNOLOGY | $145,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | BUILD HOMES | $500,000 |
| HISTORIC POINT BASSE INC NEKOOSA, WI | WAKELY HOUSE | $350,000 |
| JOHN E ALEXANDER YMCA COMMUNITY CE PORT EDWARDS, WI | PORT EDWARDS SITE RE-DEVELOPMENT | $975,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a board of trustees, all serving part-time without compensation:
- Steven Bell — Chair
- Robb Sigler — Vice Chair
- David Kumm — Treasurer
- Pamela Ross — Secretary
- Timothy Mancl — Director
- Jean Paul La Chapelle — Director
- Michael Bovee — Executive Director (full-time, compensation: $382,509–$383,000)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN BELL | CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| ROBB SIGLER | VICE CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID KUMM | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| PAMELA ROSS | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| TIMOTHY MANCL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JEAN PAUL LA CHAPELLE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARJORIE MILLER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL BOVEE | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $480,499 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In June 2024, the Wisconsin Rapids School District received a $3.75 million grant from the Legacy Foundation for upgrades to playground equipment across the district's schools. This represents one of the foundation's largest recent grants and demonstrates its commitment to youth development and recreation infrastructure in its primary service area.
Wisconsin Rapids School District Receives Grant From Legacy Foundation forSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to create healthy communities throughout central Wisconsin. Its funding priorities center on: • **Health and Medical Initiatives** — Community health grants, health and wellness programs, and school health initiatives • **Youth Development** — Recreation and sports programs, youth development initiatives • **Human Services** — Social service support and community development • **Education** — Educational programs and initiatives • **Philanthropy and Voluntari…
How do I apply for a grant from Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $100,000 to $3,000,000 • Average grant size: $311,000 to $459,000 • Median grant: $150,000 • Annual giving: $7.2 to $8.6 million **Application Process:** The foundation operates as a private foundation through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grants are awarded to preselected organizations through an invitation-only process. The foundation does not maintain a publicly listed website, email, or phone number, …
Where does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc make grants?
The foundation focuses on central Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on Wood County and surrounding areas. Supported communities include Babcock, Madison, Marshfield, Nekoosa, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Stevens Point, Weston, and Wisconsin Rapids.
What size grants does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc award?
In 2025, Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc awarded 22 grants totaling $8.1M — an average of about $369K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's EIN?
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2978943. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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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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