Mars Family Foundation Inc
MARS FAMILY FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Franklin, Wisconsin. In its 2024 filing, it reported giving $289,112 through 23 grants to charitable organizations.
Key facts about Mars Family Foundation Inc
In short: Mars Family Foundation Inc gave $289K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 47-2723514
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $289,112
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- Average grant
- $12,570
- Median grant
- $5,075
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$289K
+40.5% YoY
Grant Count
23
-23.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
+83.3% YoY
How Mars Family Foundation Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). 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
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for children’s health care, wishes for children with critical illnesses, women and children, neurodivergent people, military families, and arts organizations.
The grantees describe their own missions as follows: Children’s Wisconsin says it provides comprehensive pediatric health care and aims for Wisconsin children to be the healthiest in the country. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin says it creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Cornerstone of Grace says it offers women and their children a safe residential environment and resources for growth and stability. Bloom360 Learning Community says it provides a safe, trusted environment for neurodivergent children and adults to learn and thrive. WISH for OUR HEROES says it assists military families with basic needs. These are the grantees’ descriptions, not stated missions of the foundation.
Grantmaking
The foundation gave $289,112 through 23 grants in 2024, compared with $205,780 through 30 grants in 2023 and $271,862 through 30 grants in 2022. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median grant of $5,075.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. The remaining shares went to Hawaii (3%), Texas (2%), Michigan (2%), and Virginia (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2020) to $289K (2024). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $289K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Charityez Inc ($75K). Together the top 10 received $240K.
Grant Size Distribution
98 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 98 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charityez Inc Franklin, WI | Program Support | $75,000 |
| Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin Inc Milwaukee, WI | Children miracle network marathon and it equipment for children on the cancer unit | $59,260 |
| Milwaukee Youth Theater Inc Milwaukee, WI | Increased Space | $20,000 |
| Make-a-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin Wauwatosa, WI | Wish Night Table 10PARTNERSHIP with Marcus Preforming Arts | $18,500 |
| Blue Lotus West Bend, WI | Motorized Wheelchair | $15,000 |
| Marcus Center for Performing Arts I Milwaukee, WI | Partnership with Make a Wish | $12,500 |
| Cornerstone of Grace Watertown, WI | Fees for Mental Health of Women | $10,000 |
| The Harry and Rose Samson Family Je Milwaukee, WI | Day Program for Adults with Disabilities | $10,000 |
| Kauai Animal Education Center Kapaa, HI | 3 Year Pledge | $10,000 |
| Siebert Lutheran Foundation Inc Milwaukee, WI | Program Support | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $289,112 | 23 |
| 2023 | $205,780 | 30 |
| 2022 | $271,862 | 30 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sean Mars as president and treasurer, Brandi Mars as vice president, and Dennis Axelson as secretary.
Mars Family Foundation Inc is led by Sean Mars, President & Treasurer since 2020 (on filings since 2019); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sean Mars
President & Treasurer
President → President & Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandi Mars
Vice President
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Axelson
Secretary
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 9850 S 54Th Street, Franklin, WI 53132
Phone: (414) 617-2374
Frequently asked questions about Mars Family Foundation Inc
How much does Mars Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Mars Family Foundation Inc gave $289K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $206K across 30 grants.
What is Mars Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Mars Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,075, and its average grant was $12,570, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does Mars Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Mars Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (6 grants), West Bend, WI (2 grants), New Berlin, WI (2 grants) and Racine, WI (2 grants).
Does Mars Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on Mars Family Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (3 grants).
Who are Mars Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Mars Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Charityez Inc ($75,000), Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin Inc ($59,260) and Milwaukee Youth Theater Inc ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Mars Family Foundation Inc fund?
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for children’s health care, wishes for children with critical illnesses, women and children, neurodivergent people, military families, and arts organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mars Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mars Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Mars Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2723514. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does Mars Family Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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