Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Milwaukee, WI EIN: 87-3560248

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Launched in 2022, it describes its mission as strengthening communities through donations, volunteerism, and relationships formed by Robertson Ryan Agent Owners and Associates.

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation at a glance

In short: Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation gave $66K across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Wisconsin. 75% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$65,827
+5.5% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
55
+5.8% vs 2023
Average grant
$1,197
-0.3% vs 2023
Median grant
$518
Total assets
$30,566
+148.7% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
75% first-time grantees (41 of 55, 2024)
Primary geography
Wisconsin (89% 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 Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its online form says submissions are for future donation consideration and that new donations are not formally being awarded through that form at this time.

Contact

Mailing address: 330 E Kilbourn Ave Suite 850, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (800) 258-0277

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Violence Intervention Project Inc: $5KViolence Intervention ProjectInc$5KUnited Way of Greater Milwaukee: $5KUnited Way of GreaterMilwaukee$5KMilwaukee Christian Center: $4KMilwaukee Christian Center$4KMilwaukee Institute of Art & Design: $3KMilwaukee Institute of Art &Design$3KFranciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration: $3KFranciscan Sisters ofPerpetual Adoration$3KPawsitism Inc: $3KPawsitism Inc$3KAmerican Lung Association: $3KAmerican Lung Association$3KJust One More Ministry Inc: $3KJust One More Ministry Inc$3KServing Older Adults: $3KServing Older Adults$3KUnited Performing Arts Fund Upaf: $3KUnited Performing Arts FundUpaf$3K

The largest 2024 recipient was Violence Intervention Project Inc ($5K). Together the top 10 received $32K.

Grant Size Distribution

149 grants across all recorded years

149<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 149 grants of 149 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to Wisconsin recipients (89%). The remaining shares were Illinois (5%), Tennessee (2%), Indiana (2%), and Washington, D.C. (1%).

Grant Distribution by State

13states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.

Cities

MilwaukeeLa CrosseBrookfieldNew BerlinKewauneeWaukeshaCrandonWauwatosaKokomoMukwonagoNew YorkWest AllisWest BendAppletonChicagoDelafieldHartlandSussexThiensvilleAlgoma

Is Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation open to new grantees?

75%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 41 of 55 grantees (75%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $1K. How we count

Medians: $750 first-time, $500 repeat.

  • 22% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2024). 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

$0$20K$40K$60K$80K0 grants2021 42 grants2022 52 grants2023 55 grants2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $46K (2022) to $66K (2024). In 2024 it made 55 grants totaling $66K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Violence Intervention Project Inc Algoma, WIGeneral Purpose$5,000
United Way of Greater Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIGeneral Purpose$4,500
Milwaukee Christian Center Milwaukee, WIGeneral Purpose$3,500
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee, WIGeneral Purpose$3,109
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration La Crosse, WIGeneral Purpose$3,000
Pawsitism Inc Waukesha, WIGeneral Purpose$3,000
American Lung Association Brookfield, WIGeneral Purpose$2,500
Just One More Ministry Inc Brookfield, WIGeneral Purpose$2,500
Serving Older Adults Milwaukee, WIGeneral Purpose$2,500
United Performing Arts Fund Upaf Milwaukee, WIGeneral Purpose$2,500
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsDistributable Amount
2024$30,566$80,103$68,903$65,82755$68,903$1,285
2023$12,289$92,650$97,551$62,40052$62,551$418
2022$17,190$62,800$45,610$45,54542$45,610$673

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s mission is “to strengthen our communities.” It says it prioritizes organizations with high ethical standards, inclusive environments, sound operations, and demonstrated financial achievement, as well as causes important to its Agent Owners and Associates.

Examples of its grantees illustrate the range of work supported. Violence Intervention Project Inc. describes its work as supporting people affected by domestic violence in Kewaunee County through crisis response, advocacy, referrals, and community awareness. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design says its mission is to ignite curious minds through art, design, and service. Joy Engine Inc. says it supports public art, music, and performance that inspire, educate, and enhance the well-being of Milwaukee communities.

The foundation says it does not fund direct donations to individuals, building or capital campaigns, sporting event sponsorships, conferences or travel, political campaigns or legislative lobbying, projects exclusively serving religious purposes, or controversial causes.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 55 grants totaling $65,827. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $5,000, with a median of $518.

Among the largest 2024 grants were $5,000 to Violence Intervention Project Inc.; $4,500 to United Way of Greater Milwaukee; $3,500 to Milwaukee Christian Center; $3,109 to Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design; and $3,000 each to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and Pawsitism Inc. The stated purpose for these grants was general purpose.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Tracey Moran Fricker as vice president/secretary, Patti Blaschka as president, and Christopher Illman as treasurer. Directors listed are Mack Borges, Jim Dunker, Allan Degner, and Melissa Stauber.

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation is led by Patti Blaschka, President since 2022 (on filings since 2021); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Patti Blaschka

    President

    Vice President → President, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Dunker

    Director

    Vice President → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Allan Degner

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mack Borges

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Melissa Stauber

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Christopher Illman

    Treasurer

    President & Chief Executive Officer → Treasurer, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tracey Moran Fricker

    Vice President & Secretary

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Brian Remsza (2021) — Treasurer & Secretary

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation

How much does Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation give each year?

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation gave $66K across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $62K across 52 grants.

What is Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's typical grant size?

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $518, and its average grant was $1,197, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation that year got $1K on average.

Where does Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation give grants?

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (18 grants), Brookfield, WI (4 grants), Waukesha, WI (3 grants) and New Berlin, WI (3 grants).

Does Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (55 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's largest grantees?

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Violence Intervention Project Inc ($5,000), United Way of Greater Milwaukee ($4,500) and Milwaukee Christian Center ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation?

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation reported $31K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $69K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation fund?

The foundation’s mission is “to strengthen our communities.” It says it prioritizes organizations with high ethical standards, inclusive environments, sound operations, and demonstrated financial achievement, as well as causes important to its Agent Owners and Associates. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's EIN?

Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3560248. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.

Does Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

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

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robertson-ryan-and-associates-foundation-morg_44b76fdda5464072ad71bfa1059cf08c

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_873560248_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Robertson Ryan \& Associates Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/robertson-ryan-and-associates-foundation-morg_44b76fdda5464072ad71bfa1059cf08c},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Robertson Ryan & Associates Foundation'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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