Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin. It supports charitable and other tax-exempt organizations, predominantly in the Madison area, and has also invested in funds intended to help create affordable workforce housing units in Dane County.
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc gave $1.9M across 217 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Wisconsin. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,889,194
- +21.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 217
- +10.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,706
- +9.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $45,204,428
- +9.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (41 of 208, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants are asked to complete an application for funding and provide an IRS determination letter, current financial statements or the most recent audit report, a project or program budget, and minutes authorizing the grant proposal. Grants are generally awarded to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations located within Madison Gas and Electric’s service territory.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Kim Lee
Mailing address: PO Box 1231, Madison, WI 53701-1231
Phone: (608) 252-5666
Email: foundation@mge.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Energy Service Inc - ($380K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
929 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 883 grants of 929 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its charitable support is predominantly for organizations in the Madison area and that grants are generally awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations within Madison Gas and Electric’s service territory. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 2% to Illinois, and 1% to Washington, D.C.; the filing also lists a 0% share for New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 217 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 41 of 208 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 131% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2020) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 217 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Service Inc - Madison, WI | Support the Community Emergency Fund | $300,000 |
| United Way of Dane County Madison, WI | 2024 Quarterly Commitment | $145,000 |
| United Way Foundation Madison, WI | General Support | $100,000 |
| Energy Service Inc Madison, WI | General Support | $80,000 |
| Centro Hispano of Dane County Madison, WI | General Support | $77,000 |
| Urban League of Greater Madison Inc Madison, WI | General Support | $64,500 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Dane County Madison, WI | General Support | $50,000 |
| Center for Black Culture and Excellence Madison, WI | General Support | $50,000 |
| Overture Center for the Arts Madison, WI | Support Kids in the Rotunda | $50,000 |
| Salvation Army Des Plaines, IL | General Support | $37,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $45,204,428 | $23,361,298 | $2,333,217 | $1,889,194 | 217 | $2,307,376 | $24,903,447 | $1,760,760 |
| 2023 | $41,183,747 | $2,842,159 | $1,886,539 | $1,555,161 | 196 | $1,669,217 | $517,838 | $1,802,386 |
| 2022 | $35,337,030 | $3,027,980 | $1,989,506 | $1,859,117 | 203 | $2,188,532 | $4,339,340 | $1,682,816 |
| 2021 | $41,777,011 | $4,135,372 | $1,760,848 | $1,636,500 | 176 | $1,771,557 | $928,704 | $1,819,115 |
| 2020 | $35,279,389 | $1,020,093 | $1,528,960 | $1,396,707 | 137 | — | $1,171,460 | $1,554,991 |
| 2019 | $33,631,602 | $2,830,828 | $1,743,543 | $1,533,378 | 213 | — | $1,103,311 | $1,478,536 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes support for charitable and other exempt organizations, predominantly located in the Madison area. It also reports investments in the Dane Workforce Housing Fund beginning in 2020 and the Dane Workforce Housing Fund II beginning in 2024 to help create affordable workforce housing units in Dane County.
Examples of supported organizations include United Way of Dane County, whose mission is to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, and the Urban League of Greater Madison, whose mission includes helping African Americans and other community members become educated, employed, and empowered. The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County says it works to inspire and empower young people, especially those who need it most. The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness says it works to eliminate health disparities and other barriers affecting Black women and girls.
Other 2024 grantees include the Madison Public Market Foundation, which describes its vision as an equitable marketplace supporting entrepreneurs; The Playing Field, which works to reduce barriers to high-quality early care and education for low-income families; and The River Food Pantry, whose mission is to provide food, resources, and faith to build a stronger community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported $1,889,194 in itemized grants across 217 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $300,000, with a median grant of $2,000.
Among the largest listed awards were $300,000 to Energy Service Inc. for the Community Emergency Fund, $145,000 to United Way of Dane County for a 2024 quarterly commitment, and $100,000 to United Way Foundation for general support. Other awards included $77,000 to Centro Hispano of Dane County, $64,500 to Urban League of Greater Madison, and $50,000 each to Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, Center for Black Culture and Excellence, and Overture Center for the Arts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jeffrey Keebler as president; Jared Bushek as vice president/treasurer from July and Tamara Johnson as vice president/treasurer through June; Cari Anne Renlund as secretary; and Gary Wolter, Lynn K. Hobbie, and Scott Smith as directors.
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc is led by Jeffrey Keebler, President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeffrey Keebler
President
President & Chairman → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Wolter
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn K. Hobbie
Director
Vice President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Smith
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cari Anne Renlund
Secretary
Vice President → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jared Bushek
Vice President & Treasurer Since July
Director Since August → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Vice President & Treasurer Since July, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tamara Johnson
Vice President & Treasurer
Director Since August → Vice President & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jeffrey Newman (2019–2020) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Craig Fenrick (2019) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc
How much does Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc give each year?
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc gave $1.9M across 217 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 196 grants.
What is Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $8,706, across 217 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc that year got $2K on average.
Where does Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc give grants?
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (173 grants), Middleton, WI (10 grants), Monona, WI (5 grants) and Fitchburg, WI (3 grants).
Does Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (204 of 217) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Energy Service Inc - ($380,000 across 2 grants), United Way of Dane County ($171,800 across 2 grants) and United Way Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc?
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc reported $45.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s filing describes support for charitable and other exempt organizations, predominantly located in the Madison area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's EIN?
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6098118. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Other open foundation grants in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
- Forrest Turpen Legacy Grant Due October 31, 2026
- Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation - Phase III Grants (New Haven County) Due October 31, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/madison-gas-and-electric-foundation-inc-morg_fecce52dc7894756b4764be9435c1a60
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396098118_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/madison-gas-and-electric-foundation-inc-morg_fecce52dc7894756b4764be9435c1a60},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Madison Gas and Electric 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.
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