Oconomowoc Area Foundation Inc

MILWAUKEE, WI EIN: 75-3266194

The Oconomowoc Area Foundation (OAF) is a community foundation established in 2002 to provide an easy and effective way for area residents to support local charitable causes. Operating as a supporting organization of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the OAF serves the greater Oconomowoc community through strategic grantmaking and philanthropic initiatives.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$14.1M

+4.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$950K

+59.6% YoY

Grant Count

57

+58.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$17K

+0.8% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes, with a focus on facilitating charitable programs within the Oconomowoc area.

Priority funding areas include:

  • Programs that enrich the community through economic, cultural, and arts development
  • Programs for children and youth
  • Support for older adults
  • Programs addressing food insecurity and homelessness
  • Medical and dental care access for underserved populations
  • Environmental preservation and wildlife protection
  • Educational programs, particularly those serving special-needs students

Grantmaking

Grants are principally made only to nonprofits with IRS tax-exempt status. Public and private schools are eligible for grants supporting programs or resources that enhance educational outcomes, though not for ongoing staff support or operating expenses. Private schools must demonstrate service to lower-income families through tuition assistance or other means. Municipal government agencies may also receive grants for projects beyond core, tax-supported services.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The OAF makes grants to an area consisting of the Oconomowoc Area School District, as well as Wales, Dousman, Ottawa, and Nashotah. While organizations need not be physically located within these communities, they must demonstrate they provide services to residents of these areas.

Grant Distribution by State

10states
+2 more states

Cities

AshippunBethesdaBoys TownBrookfieldChicagoChildsClaremontCrazy HorseDelafieldGeorgetownHartlandHubertusLouisvilleLuxemburgMadisonMemphisMilwaukeeNashotahOconomowocPewaukee

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total Assets: $14,077,637
  • Total Revenues: $1,038,451
  • Total Expenses: $1,343,458
  • Number of Employees: 0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$611K$1M$2M$2M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$14,077,637$13,474,944$12,412,430
Revenue$1,038,451$959,711$1,521,619
Expenses$1,343,458$1,005,044$1,103,043
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$653,894$422,565$283,191
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$239K$477K$716K$954K45 grants202030 grants202141 grants202236 grants202357 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

IMPACTASSETS$76KLAKE AREA FREE CLINIC$73KOCONOMOWOC SCHOLARSHIP F…$65KREDEMPTORIST RETREAT CEN…$50KBOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA-PO…$40KFOLDS OF HONOR WISCONSIN$35KOCONOMOWOC AREA HISTORIC…$29KNAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITE…$25KBLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK$23KOCONOMOWOC SILVER STREAK…$22K

Grant Size Distribution

202 grants across all recorded years

188<$50K11$50–100K3$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Oconomowoc Area Foundation Inc

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Glenn Hanon, Chairman
  • Paula Jacobs, Vice Chair
  • Amy Kavelaris, Board Member
  • Sigi Miller, Board Member (joined 2026)
  • Rebecca Seymour, Foundation Coordinator

The foundation was inspired by Hilbert N. Scherffius, an Oconomowoc hardware store owner and philanthropist whose generosity sparked the OAF movement.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
BOB JOHNSONPRESIDENT1
ROBERT W SNYDERDIRECTOR1
TERRANCE HOLAHANDIRECTOR1
RANDY BOURDODIRECTOR1
SUSAN KAYSECRETARY1
KATIE NEWCOMBDIRECTOR1
TODD SCHEIDDIRECTOR1
GLENN HANONDIRECTOR1
CALVIN SCHMIDTDIRECTOR1
PAT MCNAMEEDIRECTOR1
KEVIN PEHLERDIRECTOR1
ANDREA STACKDIRECTOR1
REBBECCA SEYMOURDIRECTOR1
PAUL JACOBSDIRECTOR1
NATE ZASTRODIRECTOR1
NICK BICKLERDIRECTOR1
AMY KAVELARISDIRECTOR1
CURT DOWNSDIRECTOR (START 12/24)1
CURT OLSONDIRECTOR (START 12/24)1
KEN ROBERTSONASSISTANT TREASURER (END 8/24)1
ELLEN GILLIGANSECRETARY (END 8/24)1
GREGORY WESLEYASSISTANT SECRETARY (START 8/24)1
YELENA CHESTERASSISTANT TREASURER (START 8/24)1

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2026

The OAF Signature Club recently reached a major milestone, with members committing to donate $10,000 each to support local nonprofits. The foundation announced its 2026 grant cycle and is hosting "Golf Fore Good" on May 26, featuring Uncle Henry's Backyard 3-Par course. The foundation continues to expand its board of directors and remains active in community engagement through various philanthropic initiatives and volunteer opportunities.

Oconomowoc Area Foundation \xB7 Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

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

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