Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation
The Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established as a Nevada non-profit corporation in September 1997, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1K
-95.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$11K
-99.5% YoY
Grant Count
2
-97.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-79.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $695 for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's purpose is to benefit education, the arts, social welfare, and other charitable causes that promote the public interest. Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation made 20 grants in 2023. Recent documented grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily directs grants to organizations in Texas and Georgia, while maintaining a presence in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,248 |
| Total Giving | $11,252 |
| Total Revenues | -$461 |
| Total Expenses | $26,532 |
| Investment Income & Dividends | $568 |
| Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets | -$1,044 |
Prior Year Comparison (FYE 12/2022):
- Total Assets: $1,248
- Investment Income & Dividends: $32,752
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $935,191
- Total Revenues: $968,233
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,248 | $28,245 | $1,536,256 |
| Revenue | $-461 | $968,233 | $92,495 |
| Expenses | $26,532 | $2,476,250 | $131,157 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,265 | $2,458,956 | $108,203 |
| Net Investment Income | $583 | $952,457 | $69,772 |
| Distributable Amount | $695 | $70,346 | $129,193 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include American Cancer Society ($5,626), American Heart Association ($5,626).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY KENNESAW, GA | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,626 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,626 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by eight persons responsible for business activities, including:
- Brian Graef (Secretary)
- Dwight Graef (Director)
- Dwight A. Graef (Secretary)
- Mark A. Graef
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK GRAEF | Secretary | 1 | — |
| PEGGY GRAEF | Co-Trustee | 1 | — |
| CATHERINE M PREST | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| SCOTT A GRAEF | President | 1 | — |
| BRIAN A GRAEF | Director | 1 | — |
| US BANK NA | TRUSTEE | 1 | $13 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 634 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0634
Telephone: 503-464-3580
EIN: 88-0485247
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's purpose is to benefit education, the arts, social welfare, and other charitable causes that promote the public interest. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation?
The foundation made 20 grants in 2023. Recent documented grants include: • American Cancer Society (ACS): $5,626 (General Operating, December 2023) • American Heart Association (AHA): $5,626 (General Operating, December 2023) • William Jessup University (among other grantees in 2023) Typical award ranges are $1,500–$140,000.
Where does Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily directs grants to organizations in Texas and Georgia, while maintaining a presence in Wisconsin.
What size grants does Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation award?
In 2023, Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation awarded 2 grants totaling $11K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $695 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation's EIN?
Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0485247. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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