Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Eau Claire, WI EIN: 39-6075009

MELVIN S COHEN FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants supported organizations working in areas including medical research, education, media, and public policy, as well as organizations receiving operating support.

Key facts about Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc

In short: Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc gave $1.9M across 45 grants in 2025 (avg $43K), top state Louisiana. 62% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
39-6075009
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$1,928,400
Grants made (2025)
45
Average grant
$42,853
Median grant
$10,000
New grantees (estimate)
62% first-time grantees (28 of 45, 2025)
Total assets
$34,626,077
Primary geography
Louisiana (30% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Full details ↓
Deadline
December 1.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 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

$34.6M

-1.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.9M

+0.2% YoY

Grant Count

45

+200.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$43K

-66.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

62%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 28 of 45 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $94K. How we count

Medians: $4K first-time, $25K repeat.

  • 18% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for activities including melanoma research, scholarships, medical equipment and supplies, and operating funds. Among its grantees, Mayo Clinic describes its mission as providing patient care, education, and research to contribute to health and well-being. Center for Independent Thought says it works to expand awareness of individual liberty, free markets, and peace.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 45 grants totaling $1,928,400. Grants ranged from $100 to $575,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest awards included $575,000 to WYES New Orleans for operating funds, $400,000 to Mayo Clinic for melanoma research, and $250,000 to Center for Independent Thought for operating funds. Other 2025 grants included $100,000 to Prager University Foundation for operating funds and $50,000 each to Free to Choose Network, Friends of the Israel Defense Force, Friends of United Hatzalah, Torah Academy of Minneapolis, WISC Institute for Law & Liberty, and ZAKA Tel Aviv.

Review Cycle

December 1.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana (30%), Minnesota (23%), and Pennsylvania (16%), followed by California (7%) and New York (6%). The foundation also states a preference for Northwest Wisconsin charities, particularly those in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties.

Grant Distribution by State

18states

Share of all 45 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

Eau ClaireWashingtonNew YorkArlingtonMinneapolisPhiladelphiaErieRochesterDallasHillsdaleNew OrleansSherman OaksChippewa FallsRestonAlexandriaSan AntonioSt Louis ParkBarringtonChinoJackson Township

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M25 grants202025 grants202127 grants202228 grants202315 grants202445 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2024) to $5.2M (2020). In 2025 it made 45 grants totaling $1.9M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Wyes New Orleans: $575KWyes New Orleans$575KMayo Clinic: $400KMayo Clinic$400KCenter for Independent Thought: $250KCenter for Independent Thought$250KPrager University Foundation: $100KPrager University Foundation$100KFree to Choose Network Inc: $50KFree to Choose Network Inc$50KFriends of the Israel Defense Force: $50KFriends of the Israel DefenseForce$50KFriends of United Hatzalah: $50KFriends of United Hatzalah$50KTorah Academy of Minneapolis: $50KTorah Academy of Minneapolis$50KWisc Institute for Law & Liberty: $50KWisc Institute for Law &Liberty$50KZaka Tel Aviv: $50KZaka Tel Aviv$50K

The largest 2025 recipient was Wyes New Orleans ($575K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.

Grant Size Distribution

140 grants across all recorded years

92<$50K13$50–100K19$100–250K14$250–500K2$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 92 grants of 140 (66%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Wyes New Orleans New Orleans, LAOperating Funds$575,000
Mayo Clinic Rochester, MNMelanoma Research$400,000
Center for Independent Thought Bala Cynwyd, PAOperating Funds$250,000
Prager University Foundation Sherman Oaks, CAOperating Funds$100,000
Free to Choose Network Inc Erie, PAOperating Funds$50,000
Friends of the Israel Defense Force New York, NYMedical Equipment and Supplies$50,000
Friends of United Hatzalah New York, NYMedical Equipment and Supplies$50,000
Torah Academy of Minneapolis St Louis Park, MNScholarships$50,000
Wisc Institute for Law & Liberty Milwaukee, WIOperating Funds$50,000
Zaka Tel Aviv Jackson Township, NJMedical Equipment and Supplies$50,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $34,626,077 $1,603,612 $2,009,690 $1,928,400
2024 $35,031,722 $2,016,357 $2,008,767 $1,924,100
2023 $35,024,613 $1,869,560 $2,060,920 $1,981,300
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$4M$6M202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$34,626,077$35,031,722$35,024,613
Revenue$1,603,612$2,016,357$1,869,560
Expenses$2,009,690$2,008,767$2,060,920
Qualifying Distributions$1,938,534$1,933,833$1,990,520
Net Investment Income$1,554,083$1,968,815$1,824,546
Distributable Amount$1,981,374$1,938,827$1,934,823

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Maryjo Cohen as president; Randy F Lieble as vice president and treasurer; Jeff Madson as secretary and director; Amy Alpine as director; and Melissa Nyhus as assistant secretary and assistant secretary.

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc is led by Maryjo Cohen, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Maryjo Cohen

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Randy F. Lieble

    V President & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Alpine

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Melissa Nyhus

    Assistant Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    15 hrs/week

    $42K (2022) → $52K (2025)

  • Jeff Madson

    Secretary & D

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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

Melissa Nyhus — Asst Sec, as: $52KMelissa NyhusAsst Sec, as$52K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $52K, to Melissa Nyhus (Asst Sec, as).

Contact

Application contact: Maryjo Cohen
Mailing address: 3925 N Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: (715) 839-2139

Frequently asked questions about Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc

How much does Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc give each year?

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc gave $1.9M across 45 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 15 grants.

What is Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $42,853, across 45 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc that year got $12K on average.

Where does Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc give grants?

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's top state is Louisiana, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Minnesota (23%) and Pennsylvania (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (8 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Arlington, VA (3 grants) and Eau Claire, WI (3 grants).

Does Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 71% of Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (32 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Medical Equipment and Supplies" (3 grants).

Who are Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Wyes New Orleans ($575,000), Mayo Clinic ($400,000) and Center for Independent Thought ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc?

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc reported $34.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for activities including melanoma research, scholarships, medical equipment and supplies, and operating funds. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Melvin S Cohen 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 Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's EIN?

Melvin S Cohen Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6075009. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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