Madison Community Foundation
Madison Community Foundation (MCF) is a 501(c)(3) community foundation headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Created in 1942 as Madison Community Trust, MCF operates as a philanthropic fundraising services organization that helps donors support causes they care about through various giving vehicles and fund structures. The foundation serves as a vital intermediary between donors and nonprofits in the Madison area and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$347.6M
+18.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.6M
+34.1% YoY
Grant Count
376
+7.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
+24.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To enhance the common good through philanthropy.
MCF's grantmaking focuses on the following priority areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Community Development
- Environment
- Learning
- Nonprofit Capacity Building
The foundation also supports Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
MCF distributes grants through multiple mechanisms:
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,001 to $2,800,000.
Review Cycle
June 3 for 2026)
Grant Types
How to Apply
(Community Impact Fund Grants):**
Ready to take the next step with Madison Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MCF's grantmaking extends across multiple regions:
- 67% of grants distributed to organizations in Dane County, Wisconsin
- 17% to organizations in other Wisconsin counties
- 16% to organizations in other states
Charitable distributions can be made to any charity throughout the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $294,109,737
- Total Revenue: $20,094,904
- Total Expenses: $15,254,728
- Total Giving: $15,553,217
Investment Performance (as of December 31, 2023):
- 1-year annualized return: 10.2%
- 3-year annualized return: 6.5%
- 5-year annualized return: 8.8%
- 10-year annualized return: 7.1%
Investment Percentile Rankings (peer community foundations survey):
- 3-year: 77th percentile
- 5-year: 37th percentile
- 7-year: 86th percentile
- 10-year: 86th percentile
Investment Management: MCF partners with Commonfund/OCIO (outsourced chief investment officer) and Boston Trust Walden for ESG portfolio management. An investment committee of knowledgeable volunteers and board members oversees the investment policy.
Portfolio Options: MCF offers fundholders a choice between a Diversified Portfolio and an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Portfolio.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $347,573,285 | $294,109,737 | $272,378,291 |
| Revenue | $55,328,598 | $20,094,904 | $36,932,800 |
| Expenses | $19,022,281 | $15,254,728 | $17,888,026 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $11,298,439 | $8,834,085 | $7,308,063 |
| 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
4 open opportunities from Madison Community Foundation
A Fund for Women Grant
MADISON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Altrusa International Grant
MADISON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $1,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant
MADISON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Africa6000 International ($1,000,000), Boys & Girls Club of Dane County ($209,845), Access Ability Wisconsin ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF MADISON MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $6,894 |
| ACCESS ABILITY WISCONSIN MINERAL POINT, WI | PURCHASE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND EQUIPMENT | $100,000 |
| ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| ACTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MILWAUKEE, WI | ACTS HOUSING GRANT FUNDING (06432) | $12,500 |
| AFRICA6000 INTERNATIONAL ERIE, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,000,000 |
| AGRACE FOUNDATION MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $6,686 |
| AGRACE FOUNDATION MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $19,941 |
| AGRACE FOUNDATION MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $20,000 |
| AGRACE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $23,744 |
| ALASKA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ANCHORAGE, AK | GENERAL SUPPORT TO BRING MORE QUALITY PERFORMANCES TO THE CENTER | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Bob Sorge
MCF employs 20 staff members (as of 2023).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINE BARDEN | BOARD CHAIR | 1.5 | — |
| ANNE LUCKE | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| GARY MECKLENBURG | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ANNA BURISH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EG SCHRAMKA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EUGENIA PODESTA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| FRANCES HUNTLEY-COOPER | BOARD MEMBER (START 02/2024) | 1 | — |
| GLORIA LADSON-BILLINGS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEFF BARTELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NANCY BOEBEL | BOARD MEMBER (START 02/2024) | 1 | — |
| NATALIE ERDMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NOBLE WRAY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| THERESE GULBRANSEN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TRIPP WIDDER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT SORGE | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $283,650 |
| CARMEN JESCHKE | VP FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 40 | $132,756 |
| DAVID KOEHLER | VP DONOR ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $141,971 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
MCF announced grant awards to multiple nonprofits in 2026, including:
2026 Grant Recipients Announced$75,000 to a nonprofit helping domestic abuse survivors
Madison Community Foundation gives $75k to nonprofit helping domestic abuse$75,000 to GiGi's Playhouse Madison
GiGi's Playhouse Madison Awarded $75000 Grant from Madison ...$1.24 million in grants to 23 local nonprofits (2021 announcement)
Madison Community Foundation: Announces $1.24 million in grants to 23 localContact Information
Address: 111 N Fairchild Street, Suite 260, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-232-1763
Website: madisongives.org
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since May 1995 (IRS ruling year: 1995)
EIN: 39-6038248
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Madison Community Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To enhance the common good through philanthropy. MCF's grantmaking focuses on the following priority areas: • Arts and Culture • Community Development • Environment • Learning • Nonprofit Capacity Building The foundation also supports Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
How do I apply for a grant from Madison Community Foundation?
MCF distributes grants through multiple mechanisms: **Grant Types & Funds:** • Community Impact Fund Grants • A Fund for Women Grant • Altrusa International Grant • Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant • Priority Fund (allows MCF flexibility to allocate resources to meet its mission) • Designated funds supporting specific nonprofits or causes • Donor-advised funds through which donors can direct distribution of funds **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,001 to $2,800,000. **Recent …
Where does Madison Community Foundation make grants?
MCF's grantmaking extends across multiple regions: • 67% of grants distributed to organizations in Dane County, Wisconsin • 17% to organizations in other Wisconsin counties • 16% to organizations in other states Charitable distributions can be made to any charity throughout the United States.
What size grants does Madison Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Madison Community Foundation awarded 376 grants totaling $13.6M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Madison Community Foundation's EIN?
Madison Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6038248. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Madison Community Foundation'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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