May Family Foundation Inc
The May Family Foundation Inc is a private, independent foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin, established in 2000. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation dedicated to supporting under-resourced youth through educational and community-based initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$337K
-11.7% YoY
Grant Count
17
-15.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+3.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: The foundation believes that improving educational opportunities is the key to lifelong success.
Mission: The May Family Foundation supports programs that enrich the lives of under-resourced youth.
Core Values: The foundation advocates for education and growth, prioritizes a strong work ethic, and values efficiency and effectiveness in its pursuit of positive change.
Funding Categories:
- Education — Enriching students' lives through academics, educational activities, tutoring, scholarships, and financial support
- Social Services — Safeguarding children, supporting families, enhancing community safety, and guiding youth toward productive adulthood
- Community Outreach — Bringing professional help to under-resourced families and addressing local community challenges
- Mentoring — Providing mentorship support for academic success and life skills, including sports and recreational activities
- Mental Health & Counseling — Supporting students through mental health services and development from childhood to college
- After-School Enrichment — Offering students enriching activities for additional learning and real-life development led by skilled instructors
Grantmaking
The foundation made 14 grants in 2024. Recent grantees include:
Review Cycle
of June 30, 2026. Beyond financial support, the foundation strives to be engaged in local communities through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on supporting under-resourced youth in local communities. The foundation has historical ties to Wisconsin and Iowa, with connections to Mercer, Wisconsin and Red Oak, Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,419,215
- Total Giving: $336,500
- Total Revenues: $130,115
- Total Expenses: $391,361
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $188,457
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: -$60,570
- Miscellaneous revenues: $2,228
The foundation has been tax-exempt since February 2001 (EIN: 39-2006747).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
97 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Robert W Monk Gardens ($65,000), Red Caboose Child Care Inc ($50,000), Matrix Human Services ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 826 MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR, MI | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| BRENT'S PLACE AURORA, CO | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $17,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DOWNTOWN DETROIT ANN ARBOR, MI | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| CAMP JORN YMCA MANITOWISH WATERS, WI | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL MINNEAPOLIS, MN | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| FAITH'S LODGE PLYMOUTH, MN | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| LAKELAND SCHOOL SUPPLIES MANITOWISH WATERS, WI | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| MATRIX HUMAN SERVICES COLUMBUS, OH | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| MENTORING AFFECTS YOUTH BOSTON, MA | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $28,000 |
| ONCE UPON A ROOM LA CANADA, CA | VARIOUS CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Eleanor Jean May (known as EJ) established the May Family Foundation in 2000. Eleanor Jean May devoted her life to advocating for under-resourced youth. She grew up in Red Oak, Iowa, and later spent summers in Mercer, Wisconsin with her husband, Ed May, whom she married in 1942.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN L SISLO | PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| EDWARD W MAY JR | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| AMY SISLO RYDLAND | SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| WILLIAM E SISLO | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| JEFFERY R MAY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| GREGG T MAY | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does May Family Foundation Inc fund?
**Vision:** The foundation believes that improving educational opportunities is the key to lifelong success. **Mission:** The May Family Foundation supports programs that enrich the lives of under-resourced youth. **Core Values:** The foundation advocates for education and growth, prioritizes a strong work ethic, and values efficiency and effectiveness in its pursuit of positive change. **Funding Categories:** • **Education** — Enriching students' lives through academics, educational activities…
How do I apply for a grant from May Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation made 14 grants in 2024. Recent grantees include: • Monk Botanical Gardens — $65,000 • Red Caboose Child Care Center — $50,000 • 826 Michigan — $25,000 • North Lakeland Discovery Center The foundation is currently accepting grant applications for 2026, with a deadline of June 30, 2026. Beyond financial support, the foundation strives to be engaged in local communities through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.
Where does May Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation focuses on supporting under-resourced youth in local communities. The foundation has historical ties to Wisconsin and Iowa, with connections to Mercer, Wisconsin and Red Oak, Iowa.
What size grants does May Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, May Family Foundation Inc awarded 17 grants totaling $337K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is May Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
May Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-2006747. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in May Family Foundation Inc'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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