Milwaukee Water Commons Inc
Milwaukee Water Commons is helping catalyze milwaukee as a true model water city-a place where we all have a stake in the health of our waters and all share in their stewardship and benefits. We are advancing our community envisioned water city agenda through the organizing frameworks of environmental justice, collective impact, the commons, and community engagement.
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc at a glance
In short: Milwaukee Water Commons Inc gave $12K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,535
- -48.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- Average grant
- $5,768
- Median grant
- $5,768
- Total assets
- $1,632,525
- +4.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Milwaukee Water Commons Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Milwaukee Public Museum ($6K). Together the top 2 received $12K.
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 2 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2021) to $23K (2023). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $12K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Public Museum Milwaukee, WI | Water School | $6,000 |
| La Familia De Arte Inc Milwaukee, WI | Water Schoolwater School | $5,535 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,632,525 | $1,508,793 | $1,431,359 | $11,535 | 2 |
| 2023 | $1,569,850 | $1,955,156 | $1,102,662 | $22,500 | Total only |
| 2022 | $730,738 | $873,964 | $706,590 | — | — |
| 2021 | $435,712 | $642,746 | $565,848 | $8,000 | Total only |
| 2020 | $429,765 | $731,657 | $463,262 | — | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Milwaukee Water Commons Inc
Based on IRS filings
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $12K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc is led by Brenda Coley, Co-Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brenda Coley
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $149K (2024)
Kirsten Shead
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $149K (2024)
Jamin Mahan
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dinorah Marquez Abadiano
Director
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tina Johnson
Director
Secretary → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne O'Connor
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Peter Ordway
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naryan Leazer
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deniene Powell
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Mills-Wemm
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Alex Hagler (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jeremy Solin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David Dragseth (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Dinorah Marquez (2020) — Director
- Former: Jenny Kehl (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Joanna Bautch (2020) — Director
- Former: Margaret Noodin (2020) — Director
- Former: Rick Banks (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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $149K, to Brenda Coley (Co-Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Milwaukee Water Commons Inc
How much does Milwaukee Water Commons Inc give each year?
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc gave $12K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $23K in grants paid.
How large is Milwaukee Water Commons Inc?
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What is Milwaukee Water Commons Inc?
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Milwaukee, WI. It holds $1.6M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Milwaukee Water Commons Inc operate?
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What is Milwaukee Water Commons Inc's EIN?
Milwaukee Water Commons Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2154946. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Milwaukee Water Commons Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Milwaukee Water Commons Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Milwaukee Water Commons Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?