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.
Key facts about Madison Community Foundation
- EIN
- 39-6038248
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,648,918
- Grants made (2024)
- 376
- Average grant
- $36,300
- Median grant
- $11,991
- Total assets
- $347,573,285
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (74% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- (Community Impact Fund Grants):. Spring: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) portal opens (March 2 for 2026 cycle).
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Madison Community Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Madison Community Foundation's 376 itemized 2024 grants were Wisconsin (74%), Ohio (15%) and Pennsylvania (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (247 grants), Milwaukee, WI (28 grants), Middleton, WI (9 grants) and Fitchburg, WI (7 grants). 44% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Awards" (6 grants) and "Staff Payroll" (4 grants).
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
Share of all 376 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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
2,839 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 recipients include Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($1,999,004 across 2 grants), Africa6000 International ($1,000,000), Sokaogon Chippewa Community ($981,200 across 3 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND CINCINNATI, OH | GUINN FAMILY FUND #1332554 | $1,980,004 |
| AFRICA6000 INTERNATIONAL ERIE, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,000,000 |
| SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY CRANDON, WI | TRIBAL HEALTH CLINIC EXPANSION | $500,000 |
| SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY CRANDON, WI | LAND PURCHASE (FROM REMAINING ASSETS, LAND IS ADJACENT TO SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA RESERVATION) | $354,200 |
| MADISON COLLEGE FOUNDATION MADISON, WI | FRAUTSCHI FAMILY PATHWAY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $275,000 |
| MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC MADISON, WI | IN 1993, MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION (MPLF) WAS CREATED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN APPROPRIATED CITY OF MADISON FUNDING AND THE EVER-RISING COSTS OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO MEET OUR COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. NINE FACILITIES SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE C | $250,000 |
| MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $248,572 |
| WISCONSIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $220,756 |
| MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MADISON, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $211,373 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DANE COUNTY FITCHBURG, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $209,845 |
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.