Michael Fields Agricultural Institute logo

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Grantmaker East Troy, WI EIN: 39-1449246 Website

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's mission is to help rural and urban farms and agricultural communities in Wisconsin and beyond be healthy environmentally, economically, and socially.

Key facts about Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

In short: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute gave $534K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $59K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

EIN
39-1449246
Latest 990 filing
Form 990 filing, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$534,373
Grants made (2024)
9
Average grant
$59,375
Median grant
$41,769
Total assets
$3,483,758
Primary geography
Wisconsin (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing

Total Assets

$3.5M

+6.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$534K

-10.4% YoY

Grant Count

9

-25.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$59K

+19.5% YoY

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Based on IRS filings

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in East Troy, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $534K. Net investment income was $50K.

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of all 9 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

MadisonChicagoChippewa FallsFitchburgHammondSpring ValleySpringfieldHagerMinneapolisStevens Point

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K0 grants20200 grants20210 grants202212 grants20239 grants2024

From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $534K (2024) to $596K (2023). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $534K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2024

Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation: $108KWisconsin Farmers UnionFoundation$108KRenewing the Countryside: $104KRenewing the Countryside$104KBoard of Regents of University of Wisconsin System: $101KBoard of Regents of Universityof Wisconsin System$101KGlobal Philanthrophy Partnership: $91KGlobal PhilanthrophyPartnership$91KMarbleseed: $42KMarbleseed$42KNeighborhood Food Solutions: $35KNeighborhood Food Solutions$35KMotherland Gardens Community Project: $27KMotherland Gardens CommunityProject$27KRegents of University of Minnesota: $17KRegents of University ofMinnesota$17KGroundswell Conservancy Inc: $9KGroundswell Conservancy Inc$9K

The largest 2024 recipient was Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation ($108K). Together the top 9 received $534K.

Grant Size Distribution

21 grants across all recorded years

13<$50K3$50–100K5$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 21 (62%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation Chippewa Falls, WIGeneral Support$107,629
Renewing the Countryside Hammond, MNGeneral Support$104,143
Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System Madison, WIGeneral Support$100,586
Global Philanthrophy Partnership Chicago, ILGeneral Support$91,390
Marbleseed Spring Valley, WIGeneral Support$41,769
Neighborhood Food Solutions Fitchburg, WIGeneral Support$35,480
Motherland Gardens Community Project Springfield, ILGeneral Support$27,346
Regents of University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$16,815
Groundswell Conservancy Inc Madison, WIGeneral Support$9,215

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$3,483,758$3,282,725$3,085,215
Revenue$2,533,841$2,016,151$722,656
Expenses$2,461,248$2,103,511$1,520,305
Qualifying Distributions———
Net Investment Income$49,904$32,042$-493,267
Distributable Amount———

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is led by Ryan Martin, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Ryan Martin

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $16K (2023) → $95K (2024)

  • Gregg Sanford

    President

    Vice President → President, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Una Vanduval

    President

    Director → President, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Hall

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jose Franco

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Josh Mechaelsen

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alyssa Hartman

    Secretary

    Director → Secretary, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Aidan Benkowski

    Treasurer

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (11)
  • Former: James Syburg (2020–2023) — Vice President & Treasurer
  • Former: Perry Brown (2020–2023) — Executive Director
  • Former: Halee Wepking (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Jamshed Patel (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: John Wepking (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Mia Lombardi (2022) — Director
  • Former: Nicolas Johnson (2022) — Director
  • Former: Anders Gurda (2020) — President
  • Former: Brian Wickert (2020) — Director
  • Former: Gene Gollogly (2020) — Director
  • Former: George Reistad (2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Ryan Martin — Executive Director: $95KRyan MartinExecutive Director$95K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $95K, to Ryan Martin (Executive Director).

Frequently asked questions about Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

How much does Michael Fields Agricultural Institute give each year?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute gave $534K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $596K across 12 grants.

What is Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's typical grant size?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's median grant in 2024 was $41,769, and its average grant was $59,375, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

Where does Michael Fields Agricultural Institute give grants?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute gives mostly in Wisconsin: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest states were Minnesota (23%) and Illinois (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (2 grants).

Does Michael Fields Agricultural Institute give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

Who are Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's largest grantees?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation ($107,629), Renewing the Countryside ($104,143) and Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System ($100,586), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Michael Fields Agricultural Institute?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $2.5M.

What is Michael Fields Agricultural Institute?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in East Troy, WI. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2024.

What is Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's EIN?

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1449246. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Michael Fields Agricultural Institute by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Bradshaw-Knight Foundation Inc

Madison, WI

Assets

—

Grants

13

Total Given

$148K

Farm Aid Inc

Cambridge, MA

Farm Aid supports U.S. nonprofits strengthening family farms through local food systems, farmer resources and crisis assistance, and advocacy for fair farm policies. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $10,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$10.3M

Grants

126

Total Given

$1.4M

Merle Chambers Fund

Denver, CO

The Merle Chambers Fund supported equity and democracy work and systemic efforts to improve women’s economic security, including policy change, research, advocacy, public education, and organizational development. Its 2023 and 2024 grant totals varied widely, and its final reported 2025 grant was $70,395 to a Colorado organization; the fund closed on December 31, 2024. It supported preselected organizations only and did not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

—

Grants

1

Total Given

$70K

The Isadore Foundation

Madison, WI

Assets

—

Grants

19

Total Given

$49K

The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation

Wilmington, DE

The foundation supports sustainable food systems and environmental work, including soil health, climate-friendly farming, and conservation, as well as women’s health, arts, social justice, and other needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000; funding went mainly to organizations in New York, California, and Washington, D.C. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$11.6M

Grants

45

Total Given

$627K

James E Dutton Foundation Inc

Merrill, WI

The James E. Dutton Foundation supports wildlife and domestic animal causes, environmental preservation, natural resources, and outdoor education, primarily in Wisconsin and the Midwest, though it has no geographic boundaries. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $12,500, with a median of $4,900. It accepts unsolicited written requests and has no formal application form.

Assets

$2.7M

Grants

35

Total Given

$184K

State Voices

Washington, DC

State Voices funds public education and nonpartisan civic engagement, supporting state-based organizations and networks—especially their capacity, staffing, data, and technology needs—to strengthen multiracial democracy. Its 2024 grants ranged from $18,160 to $1,198,488, with a median of $181,320, and supported work across multiple states. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$15.6M

Grants

25

Total Given

$6.9M

Otto Bremer Trust

St. Paul, MN

The Otto Bremer Trust funds organizations and projects addressing community needs and opportunities, including health care and social services, in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,500 to $4.2 million, with a median of $150,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or direct grant applications; Community Responsive Fund grants are offered through selected intermediaries.

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

180

Total Given

$57.2M

Madison Investments Foundation Inc

Madison, WI

The foundation supports charitable, educational, and scientific work, with recent grants spanning arts, education, community services, and food and housing security. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $10,080, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to Wisconsin, especially the Madison area. It accepts written applications, and no deadline is listed.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$416K

Grants

39

Total Given

$111K

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern WI

Madison, WI

Second harvest foodbank exists to end hunger in southwestern Wisconsin.

Food, Agriculture & Nutrition

Assets

$27.0M

Grants

4

Total Given

$50K

For Our Future Education Fund

Washington, DC

Supporting civic engagement and public education with a primary focus on economic justice for workers and working families.

Assets

$264K

Grants

2

Total Given

$120K

Cargill Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The Cargill Foundation funds childhood nutrition, equitable K–12 STEM education, and college and career readiness for primarily low-income youth; its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $1.5 million, with a median of $100,000. It supports eligible organizations in its designated geographic areas, including the Minneapolis–Saint Paul headquarters community, and accepts applications by invitation only—not unsolicited requests.

Assets

—

Grants

95

Total Given

$13.0M

More Funders in Wisconsin

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?