Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It supports nonprofit organizations in arts and culture, education, and civic improvements, with funding restricted to Wisconsin-based organizations and an emphasis on those benefiting people in Greater Milwaukee.
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld at a glance
In short: Richard and Ethel Herzfeld gave $4.2M across 68 grants in 2024 (avg $61K), mostly in Wisconsin. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,154,500
- +79.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 68
- +30.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $61,096
- +37.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $81,540,251
- +7.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (7 of 68, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and describes preliminary applications obtained from its website and submitted by email. The filing lists February 1, May 1, and August 1 as deadlines. The foundation’s current website says there are no open application processes at this time; for the remainder of 2026, civic improvement and other projects are by invitation only. Its competitive arts and culture and early childhood education application opportunities have expired for 2026, with no further opportunities in those categories until early next year.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists February 1, May 1, and August 1. The foundation’s website says its 2026 competitive arts and culture and early childhood education opportunities have expired and that there are no open application processes at this time.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists February 1, May 1, and August 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard And Ethel Herzfeld Foundati
Mailing address: 219 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 727-1136
Website: https://herzfeldfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
Herzfeld Foundation: Arts Awareness Grant
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Herzfeld Foundation: Arts Education Grant
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
Amount
US $5,000 - US $40,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Herzfeld Foundation: Early Childhood Education Grant
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
Amount
US $15,000 - US $60,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Richard and Ethel Herzfeld funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Milwaukee Film Inc ($700K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
322 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 210 grants of 322 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that funding is restricted to Wisconsin-based organizations, particularly those benefiting people in Greater Milwaukee. In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 2% to Oregon, 1% to the District of Columbia, and 1% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 68 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Richard and Ethel Herzfeld open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 68 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2023) to $4.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 68 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Film Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $700,000 |
| Milwaukee Ballet Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $301,667 |
| Milwaukee Repertory Theather Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $200,000 |
| First Stage Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $155,000 |
| Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $155,000 |
| Milwaukee Public Museum Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $150,000 |
| Milwaukee Art Museum Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $140,000 |
| Teens Grow Greens Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $133,333 |
| Florentine Opera Company Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $110,000 |
| Imagine MKE Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $81,540,251 | $8,834,034 | $4,774,157 | $4,154,500 | 68 | $4,581,742 | $8,641,619 | $3,814,696 |
| 2023 | $76,210,557 | $1,455,675 | $2,903,299 | $2,310,832 | 52 | $2,710,726 | $1,249,106 | $3,564,066 |
| 2022 | $69,467,917 | $1,657,216 | $5,254,290 | $4,490,832 | 79 | $4,886,147 | $1,427,573 | $3,686,699 |
| 2021 | $88,729,813 | $7,543,135 | $4,059,388 | $3,260,400 | 69 | $3,750,049 | $7,352,796 | $4,195,789 |
| 2020 | $80,982,850 | $4,665,357 | $4,064,543 | $3,059,746 | 54 | — | $4,492,222 | $3,445,650 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard and Ethel Herzfeld reported a distributable amount of $3.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to carry forward its founders’ interest in enriching life in Greater Milwaukee, particularly in civic, cultural, and educational areas. It supports tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations in three areas:
- Arts and culture: Support includes access to arts and cultural opportunities, artistic and cultural knowledge, arts education, new programs, and local arts coverage. The foundation describes priorities that span neighborhood organizations, mid-sized venues, and large performing arts organizations and museums.
- Education: The foundation emphasizes high-quality early childhood education, along with initiatives addressing K–12 outcomes and arts education for children.
- Civic improvements: By invitation, the foundation considers work intended to improve Milwaukee’s quality of life or address societal and policy challenges.
The foundation’s 2024 grants illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Milwaukee Film describes its mission as entertaining, educating, and engaging the community through cinematic experiences. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra says it reaches diverse audiences through concerts and education and outreach programs. The Milwaukee Public Museum says it inspires curiosity and supports preservation through exhibitions, educational programs, collections, and research. Other recipients include the Milwaukee Art Museum, Teens Grow Greens, Florentine Opera Company, Imagine MKE, and Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 68 grants totaling $4,154,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $700,000, with a median of $30,000. The foundation’s website says that, after focusing largely on multi-year general operating grants during the preceding three years, it began a new strategic focus in 2025. For 2026, it describes one-year general operating grants for certain long-supported “bedrock” organizations, competitive processes in arts and culture and education, and invitation-based civic improvement grants.
The largest reported 2024 grants included $700,000 to Milwaukee Film, $301,667 to Milwaukee Ballet, $200,000 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater, $155,000 each to First Stage and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, $150,000 to Milwaukee Public Museum, and $140,000 to Milwaukee Art Museum. The listed purposes for these grants were general operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rob Henken as executive director; Fred Haberman as president; Donna Baumgartner as vice president; Sarah Haberman as treasurer; Alexander Fraser as secretary; and Katherine A. Heil as director. The foundation’s website describes it as having a small staff and a five-member board of directors that meets quarterly.
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld is led by Fred Haberman, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Fred Haberman
President
Treasurer → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Rob Henken
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$50K (2024)
Katherine A. Heil
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Donna Baumgartner
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Sarah Haberman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Alexander Fraser
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $10K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carmen Haberman (2020–2023) — Ex-President
- Former: Gordon Miller (2020) — Secretary
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 $50K, to Rob Henken (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
How much does Richard and Ethel Herzfeld give each year?
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld gave $4.2M across 68 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 52 grants.
What is Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's typical grant size?
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $61,096, across 68 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard and Ethel Herzfeld that year got $39K on average.
Where does Richard and Ethel Herzfeld give grants?
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld gives mostly in Wisconsin: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (60 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants).
Does Richard and Ethel Herzfeld give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (60 of 68) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's largest grantees?
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's largest 2024 grantees include Milwaukee Film Inc ($700,000), Milwaukee Ballet ($301,667) and Milwaukee Repertory Theather ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Richard and Ethel Herzfeld?
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld reported $81.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Richard and Ethel Herzfeld fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to carry forward its founders’ interest in enriching life in Greater Milwaukee, particularly in civic, cultural, and educational areas. It supports tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations in three areas: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard and Ethel Herzfeld?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and describes preliminary applications obtained from its website and submitted by email. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's EIN?
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7230686. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Richard and Ethel Herzfeld funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-and-ethel-herzfeld-morg_2bc3a13fdaaa4b0686753371fee8c9f0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237230686_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Richard and Ethel Herzfeld funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-and-ethel-herzfeld-morg_2bc3a13fdaaa4b0686753371fee8c9f0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Richard and Ethel Herzfeld'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.
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