Marvin and Debra Cherney Family
The Marvin and Debra Cherney Family is a private foundation based in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Its stated mission is to support community organizations that give back to people in need; in 2025, it reported grants to 14 charitable organizations.
Key facts about Marvin and Debra Cherney Family
In short: Marvin and Debra Cherney Family gave $316K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Wisconsin. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 87-4127024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $316,429
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- Average grant
- $22,602
- Median grant
- $3,876
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (5 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,158,365
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The filing states that any form is accepted. 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
$1.2M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$316K
+24.9% YoY
Grant Count
14
-17.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
+51.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Marvin and Debra Cherney Family reported a distributable amount of $54K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Marvin and Debra Cherney Family open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 14 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $29K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 57% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 28% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 662% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2025). 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
The foundation says it gives time, talents, and financial support to organizations whose values share its family’s spirit of goodwill and that serve people in need. Its 2025 grants included capital projects, event sponsorships, educational support, and general mission support.
Among the grantees, East Shore Industries says its mission is to assist people with disabilities in pursuing personal independence and employment goals. Cerebral Palsy Inc describes its mission as celebrating all abilities and unlocking potential. The Center for Childhood Safety says it works to promote childhood safety in Northeast Wisconsin through education and resources, while Aspiro says it creates opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue goals, community connections, and independence.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $316,429 through 14 grants. Grants ranged from $510 to $112,750, with a median grant of $3,876.
The largest awards included $112,750 to St Francis de Sales Seminary for the Salesianum Trust, chapel renovation, and seminary dinner sponsorship; $99,699 to East Shore Industries for a transportation garage capital campaign, event sponsorship, and a table saw; and $44,718 to St Ignatius Catholic School for a laboratory renovation project. Other awards included $25,000 to Cerebral Palsy Inc, $12,000 to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay for a Roncalli Catholic Schools capital campaign, and $5,000 to Esto Vir for general mission support.
How to Apply
The filing states that any form is accepted. Grants are restricted to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations and government agencies.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Wisconsin. The 2025 awards listed recipients in communities including St Francis, Algoma, Kaukauna, Green Bay, and Denmark.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $69K (2023) to $441K (2022). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $316K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Francis De Sales Seminary ($113K). Together the top 10 received $312K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 61 (90%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Francis De Sales Seminary St Francis, WI | $90,000 for the salesianum trust, $22,000 for chapel renovation, and $750 to sponsor the seminary dinner | $112,750 |
| East Shore Industries Inc Algoma, WI | $95,000 for the transportation garage capital campaign, $4,000 to sponsor event, and $699 for a table saw | $99,699 |
| St Ignatius Catholic School Kaukauna, WI | Laboratory Renovation Project | $44,718 |
| Cerebral Palsy Inc Green Bay, WI | $24,500 to sponsor annual cp telethon and $500 in educational toys | $25,000 |
| Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay Inc Green Bay, WI | Capital Campaign for Roncalli Catholic Schools | $12,000 |
| Esto VIR Inc Green Bay, WI | General Mission Support | $5,000 |
| Green Bay Area Catholic Education Inc (Grace) Green Bay, WI | $4,110 to sponsor event and $565 to sponsor books for classical education | $4,675 |
| Catholic Order of Foresters - Denmark Denmark, WI | Event Sponsorship | $3,077 |
| NWTC Educational Foundation Green Bay, WI | Women in Sciences Scholarship Fund | $3,000 |
| Center for Childhood Safety Green Bay, WI | General Mission Support | $2,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,158,365 | $661,633 | $250,367 | $316,429 |
| 2024 | $1,139,845 | $120,158 | $746,549 | $253,279 |
| 2023 | $1,316,217 | −$13,889 | $120,223 | $69,013 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,158,365 | $1,139,845 | $1,316,217 |
| Revenue | $661,633 | $120,158 | $-13,889 |
| Expenses | $250,367 | $746,549 | $120,223 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $356,996 | $288,937 | $110,790 |
| Net Investment Income | $186,377 | $17,729 | $46,529 |
| Distributable Amount | $53,898 | $60,794 | $64,028 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Debra Cherney as president and secretary, Marvin Cherney as vice president, and Amanda Matczynski as executive director and treasurer. Joseph Cherney and Mark Matczynski are listed as directors.
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family is led by Amanda Matczynski, Executive Director & Treasurer since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amanda Matczynski
Executive Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Executive Director & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$23K (2022) → $26K (2025)
Debra Cherney
President & Secretary
President Se → President Secretary, 2023
President Secretary → President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Cherney
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Matczynski
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marvin Cherney
Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $26K, to Amanda Matczynski (Executive Director/Treasurer).
Contact
Application contact: Debra Cherney
Mailing address: E2669 County Road J, Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 737-9620
Email: debra.cherney@cherneyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Marvin and Debra Cherney Family
How much does Marvin and Debra Cherney Family give each year?
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family gave $316K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $253K across 17 grants.
What is Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's typical grant size?
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's median grant in 2025 was $3,876, and its average grant was $22,602, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Marvin and Debra Cherney Family that year got $11K on average.
Where does Marvin and Debra Cherney Family give grants?
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family 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 Green Bay, WI (7 grants) and Denmark, WI (2 grants).
Does Marvin and Debra Cherney Family give general operating support?
Yes: 21% of Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's largest grantees?
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's largest 2025 grantees include St Francis De Sales Seminary ($112,750), East Shore Industries Inc ($99,699) and St Ignatius Catholic School ($44,718), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Marvin and Debra Cherney Family?
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $357K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $54K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Marvin and Debra Cherney Family fund?
The foundation says it gives time, talents, and financial support to organizations whose values share its family’s spirit of goodwill and that serve people in need. Its 2025 grants included capital projects, event sponsorships, educational support, and general mission support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Marvin and Debra Cherney Family?
The filing states that any form is accepted. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's EIN?
Marvin and Debra Cherney Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4127024. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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