R & J Cope Foundation Inc
R & J Cope Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $580K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $34K. Net investment income was $191K.
Key facts about R & J Cope Foundation Inc
In short: R & J Cope Foundation Inc gave $34K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 82-1039876
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $34,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- Average grant
- $17,000
- Median grant
- $17,000
- Total assets
- $579,780
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$580K
+34.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$34K
-32.0% YoY
Grant Count
2
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-32.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, R & J Cope Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $54K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How R & J Cope Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 240% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Ready to take the next step with R & J Cope Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2019) to $50K (2024). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $34K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Gundersen Lutheran Med FD ($26K). Together the top 2 received $34K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gundersen Lutheran Med FD Lacrosse, WI | Medical Research | $25,500 |
| Froedtert Hospital FD Milwaukee, WI | Medical Research | $8,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $579,780 | $432,564 | $428,044 |
| Revenue | $217,010 | $90,080 | $21,653 |
| Expenses | $69,794 | $85,560 | $44,307 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $43,090 | $66,844 | $27,695 |
| Net Investment Income | $191,300 | $71,364 | $5,041 |
| Distributable Amount | $54,078 | $49,743 | $33,600 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 20, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
R & J Cope Foundation Inc is led by Keith E. Lemere, President on every filing since 2019; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Keith E. Lemere
President
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $20K (2025)
Franchion K. Lemere
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$1K (2019) → $1K (2025)
Nicholas R. Lemere
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$1K (2019) → $1K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $20K, to Keith E Lemere (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about R & J Cope Foundation Inc
How much does R & J Cope Foundation Inc give each year?
R & J Cope Foundation Inc gave $34K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $50K across 2 grants.
How large is R & J Cope Foundation Inc?
R & J Cope Foundation Inc reported $580K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $43K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $54K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does R & J Cope Foundation Inc operate?
R & J Cope Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What is R & J Cope Foundation Inc's EIN?
R & J Cope Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1039876. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching R & J Cope Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in R & J Cope Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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 nonprofits working on regional needs such as education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and small business, with an emphasis on racial equity. Most 2024 grants were relatively modest (median $27,778), though amounts ranged from $5,017 to $4.56 million; its competitive cycles serve organizations in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. It accepts applications through competitive grant cycles held three times a year.
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
—
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Inc
Appleton, WI
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region funds public charities and public entities across areas including arts and culture, education, health, human services, community improvement, and the environment, with many grants focused on the Fox Valley. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,073 to $5,841,877, with a median of $24,900; some funds accept applications through the grant portal, while others are donor-directed or invitation-only.
Assets
$536.6M
Grants
448
Total Given
$32.4M
Mufg Union Bank Foundation Ag
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation funded affordable housing, community economic development, education, human services, and environmental work, particularly expanding economic opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities; its grants supported organizations in multiple regions, including California, the Pacific Northwest, and elsewhere. Recent grants ranged from about $43,000 to $200,000, though its 2023 final return reported no grants. It gave only to preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.8M
Grants
441
Total Given
$8.5M
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County funds local human services and community programs focused on housing stability, digital access, employment, teen mental wellness, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2 million, with a median of about $34,000, and most funding went to Wisconsin, especially its four-county region. It requires a Letter of Intent before a full application; the listed 2026–27 Letter of Intent deadline has passed.
Assets
$50.8M
Grants
639
Total Given
$42.7M
Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation
Mequon, WI
The foundation provides need-based scholarships to Wisconsin high school seniors who played on or managed their school’s basketball team and will attend a University of Wisconsin System institution. Its 2025 awards ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000; four-year awards are $10,000 per year and may be renewed. Students apply online during the February 1–April 30 application period; unsolicited requests are not addressed.
Assets
$56.9M
Grants
445
Total Given
$3.5M
Kelben Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation supports social services, scholarships and college access, health services, and animal welfare, with nearly all 2024 grant dollars going to Wisconsin. Its 2024 grants had a median of $1,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
417
Total Given
$4.9M
Give Back Foundation
Madison, WI
Give Back Foundation distributes donor-designated contributions through workplace giving and other giving platforms to selected 501(c)(3) charities, rather than setting its own cause areas. In 2025, grants had a median of $9,066, with recipient organizations concentrated in Virginia, California, and Washington, D.C.; it does not accept unsolicited requests or work directly with charities.
Assets
$31.3M
Grants
639
Total Given
$40.1M
More Funders in Wisconsin
R & J Cope Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?