Northern Horizons Trust
Northern Horizons Trust is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $213K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 3 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $8K.
Northern Horizons Trust at a glance
In short: Northern Horizons Trust gave $35K across 3 grants in 2026 (avg $12K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $34,868
- -7.5% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 3
- -40.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $11,623
- +54.2% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $16,169
- Total assets
- $212,819
- +10.2% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026.
Who Northern Horizons Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Northern Horizons Trust gives
- Giving grew 43% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 329% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2021) to $38K (2025). In 2026 it made 3 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $34,868 |
Ready to take the next step with Northern Horizons Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $212,819 | $61,478 | $39,941 | $34,868 | 3 | $34,868 | $8,232 | $10,610 |
| 2025 | $193,184 | $20,321 | $42,883 | $37,694 | 5 | $37,694 | $7,140 | $11,658 |
| 2024 | $215,887 | $13,476 | $37,875 | $32,660 | 4 | $32,660 | $3,861 | $12,271 |
| 2023 | $240,155 | $7,600 | $30,001 | $24,467 | 5 | $24,467 | $1,588 | $13,659 |
| 2022 | $262,347 | $21,670 | $40,190 | $34,264 | 4 | $34,264 | $16,787 | $16,110 |
| 2021 | $280,739 | $16,077 | $23,940 | $18,126 | 3 | — | $11,350 | $14,834 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Northern Horizons Trust reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Northern Horizons Trust's only listed officer is Woodtrust Bank Melissa Lemmer, Trustee on the 2026 filing (uncompensated).
Officers on the 2026 filing
Woodtrust Bank Melissa Lemmer
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Wood Trust Asset Management Sherry Evenson (2025) — Trustee
- Former: Wood Trust Asset Management James Firminhac (2021–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Northern Horizons Trust
How much does Northern Horizons Trust give each year?
Northern Horizons Trust gave $35K across 3 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $38K across 5 grants.
What is Northern Horizons Trust's typical grant size?
Northern Horizons Trust's median grant in 2026 was $16,169, and its average grant was $11,623, across 3 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Northern Horizons Trust give grants?
Northern Horizons Trust gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Northern Horizons Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Northern Horizons Trust's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (3 grants).
How large is Northern Horizons Trust?
Northern Horizons Trust reported $213K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Northern Horizons Trust?
Northern Horizons Trust is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. It holds $213K in total assets as of 2026.
What is Northern Horizons Trust's EIN?
Northern Horizons Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6439569. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northern Horizons Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Wisconsin
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
Appleton, WI
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing distributes donor-directed and program donations to a broad range of causes and organizations in local, national, and global communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $11,520 and ranged from $5,006 to $5 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$939.7M
Grants
2,565
Total Given
$84.6M
Dane Buy Local Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Dane Buy Local Foundation supports buy-local education, collaboration, and programs that strengthen locally owned businesses and communities in Dane County and South Central Wisconsin; it also offers scholarships to area high school seniors pursuing post-secondary business or entrepreneurship studies. No typical award amount is stated, and the information does not say whether the Foundation accepts unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$136K
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
$28.5M
Grants
929
Total Given
$2.4M
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds nonprofit programs, projects, general operations and capital needs, with priorities including early childhood education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and scientific research. Its competitive grants primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties; in 2024, the median grant was about $27,800, though awards varied widely. It runs competitive grant cycles, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation funds educational excellence in Wisconsin, including student scholarships and awards for teachers, principals, schools, and classrooms; its 2025 grants ranged from $290 to $15,000, with a median of $6,000. It directs applicants to its program applications for application details; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$14K
Grants
425
Total Given
$2.1M
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Green Bay, WI
The Green Bay Packers Foundation funds Wisconsin charities working in areas such as families, athletics, children’s safety and education, animal welfare, and other focus areas that vary by year. Its 2026 announcement describes typical awards of $3,000–$8,000, though some grants are larger; it accepts online applications during its stated cycle, February 2–April 1, 2026.
Assets
$57.2M
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Wisconsin
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Northern Horizons Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Northern Horizons Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?