Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc is a private foundation based in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. It makes grants to charitable organizations and public entities; its 2025 grants included projects involving recreation, housing, human services, community facilities, and safety.
Key facts about Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc
In short: Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc gave $8.1M across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $369K), mostly in Wisconsin. 47% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 47-2978943
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,122,307
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- Average grant
- $369,196
- Median grant
- $354,429
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (9 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $142,445,471
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$142.4M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.1M
+13.5% YoY
Grant Count
22
-4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$369K
+18.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc reported a distributable amount of $8.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 19 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $517K; repeat grants $347K. How we count
Medians: $526K first-time, $405K repeat.
- 37% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 30% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations working in a range of areas. For example, Wisconsin Rapids Family Center Inc. says its mission is to empower people affected by domestic violence and sexual assault and address the root causes of abuse through education and advocacy. Opportunity Development Centers Inc. says its mission is to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $8,122,307. The grants ranged from $42,122 to $975,000, with a median of $354,429. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. The largest grants included $975,000 to John E Alexander YMCA Community Center for Port Edwards site redevelopment, $938,992 to Discover Rome Area Family Trails for a trail and tunnel, and $800,000 to South Wood County Humane Society for a facility remodel.
Other 2025 grants included $566,000 to Rapids Area Soccer Inc. for soccer stadium improvements, $525,935 to the Aging & Disability Resource Center for Meals on Wheels sustainability, and $500,000 each to Habitat for Humanity for building homes and United Way of South Wood & Adams County for the United Forever Fund. Wisconsin Rapids Family Center Inc. received $250,000, and Opportunity Development Centers Inc. received $100,000.
How to Apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. Listed grant locations include Wisconsin Rapids, Port Edwards, Nekoosa, and Rudolph.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.2M (2022) to $8.6M (2021). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $8.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was John E Alexander YMCA Community Ce ($975K). Together the top 10 received $6.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 31 grants of 87 (36%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| John E Alexander YMCA Community Ce Port Edwards, WI | Port Edwards Site Re-Development | $975,000 |
| Discover Rome Area Family Trails Nekoosa, WI | Trail & Tunnel | $938,992 |
| South Wood Co Humane Society Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Remodel Facility | $800,000 |
| Rapids Area Soccer Inc Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Soccer Stadium Improvements | $566,000 |
| Aging & Disability Resource Center Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Meals on Wheels Sustainability | $525,935 |
| Habitat for Humanity Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Build Homes | $500,000 |
| United Way of South Wood & Adams CO Wisconsin Rapids, WI | United Forever Fund | $500,000 |
| Village of Port Edwards Port Edwards, WI | Ripple Creek Park & Trail | $500,000 |
| Village of Rudolph Rudolph, WI | Splash Pad | $500,000 |
| City of Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin Rapids, WI | ZOO | $360,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,122,307 | 22 |
| 2023 | $7,809,835 | 17 |
| 2022 | $6,232,996 | 8 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $142,445,471 | $141,322,300 | $141,878,580 |
| Revenue | $10,720,681 | $7,980,805 | $10,389,977 |
| Expenses | $9,597,510 | $8,537,085 | $9,027,497 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,632,939 | $7,572,228 | $8,220,150 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,834,510 | $7,113,359 | $7,595,185 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,552,617 | $8,080,715 | $7,527,864 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Steven Bell as chair, Robb Sigler as vice chair, David Kumm as treasurer, Pamela Ross as secretary, Timothy Mancl, Jean Paul La Chapelle, and Marjorie Miller as directors, and Michael Bovee as executive director.
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc is led by Steven Bell, Chair on every filing since 2021; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steven Bell
Chair
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Mancl
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean Paul La Chapelle
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marjorie Miller
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bovee
Executive Di
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$328K (2021) → $480K (2025)
David Kumm
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Ross
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robb Sigler
Vice Chair
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Gregory Nettesheim (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $480K, to Michael Bovee (Executive Di).
Contact
Mailing address: 130 1St Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Phone: (715) 818-5477
Frequently asked questions about Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc
How much does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc give each year?
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc gave $8.1M across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7.2M across 23 grants.
What is Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's typical grant size?
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's median grant in 2025 was $354,429, and its average grant was $369,196, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc that year got $517K on average.
Where does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc give grants?
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wisconsin Rapids, WI (15 grants), Port Edwards, WI (2 grants) and Nekoosa, WI (2 grants).
Does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's largest grantees?
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc's largest 2025 grantees include John E Alexander YMCA Community Ce ($975,000), Discover Rome Area Family Trails ($938,992) and South Wood Co Humane Society ($800,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc?
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc reported $142.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations working in a range of areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc by hand.
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