Ruth St John & John Dunham West
Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It supports West of the Lake Gardens and makes grants to arts, humanitarian, cultural, and civic organizations serving the Lakeshore area, with the foundation describing its grantmaking as benefiting organizations centered there.
Ruth St John & John Dunham West at a glance
In short: Ruth St John & John Dunham West gave $3.6M across 63 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in Wisconsin. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,586,885
- -25.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 63
- -57.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,935
- +74.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $32,000
- Total assets
- $145,351,527
- +16.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (21 of 58, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ruth St John & John Dunham West
- How to Apply
-
Submit the application and required materials for board consideration. The foundation’s filing says grant requests are considered monthly and asks for a written narrative describing the organization and its funding need. The website says the board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month and applications must arrive by the first business day of the month to be considered at that meeting. The foundation says qualifying organizations are mainly in Manitowoc County; its website also describes consideration of organizations in Manitowoc County and bordering counties when their cause benefits Manitowoc County residents.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states there are no deadlines and that grants are considered monthly. The website’s stated cutoff for consideration at a particular monthly meeting is the first business day of that month.
- Deadline
- The filing states there are no deadlines and that grants are considered monthly.
- Contact
Application contact: Ms Phyllis Schippers
Mailing address: 915 Memorial Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 684-6110
Website: https://westfoundation.us
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ruth St John & John Dunham West
Who Ruth St John & John Dunham West funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wisconsin Maritime Museum Inc ($411K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($3,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
634 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 522 grants of 634 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its grantmaking as focused on organizations centered in the Lakeshore area. Its filing says qualifying organizations are mainly in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; its website also identifies organizations in bordering counties whose cause benefits Manitowoc County residents. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 63 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Ruth St John & John Dunham West open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 21 of 58 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $73K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 36% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 71% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2020) to $4.8M (2024). In 2025 it made 63 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Maritime Museum Inc Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $411,343 |
| The Haven of Manitowoc County Inc Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $300,000 |
| Manitowoc Public Library Foundation Inc Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $200,000 |
| Grow It Forward Inc Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $150,000 |
| Lakeshore First Robotics Program Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $150,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation (Foodwise) Madison, WI | Restricted | $150,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoological Society of Manitowoc County Inc Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $125,000 |
| Bellin College Green Bay, WI | Restricted | $120,000 |
| Manitowoc County Historical Society Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $110,000 |
| Ascend Services Inc Manitowoc, WI | Restricted | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $145,351,527 | $15,860,045 | $6,947,408 | $3,586,885 | 63 | $4,444,532 | $15,330,558 | $6,261,872 |
| 2024 | $124,918,169 | $14,518,501 | $6,406,724 | $4,838,720 | 148 | $5,637,842 | $14,001,315 | $5,679,376 |
| 2023 | $106,869,131 | $8,100,663 | $5,364,027 | $3,860,450 | 186 | $4,768,495 | $7,666,824 | $4,620,846 |
| 2022 | $88,240,227 | $7,475,080 | $5,374,742 | $4,265,335 | 130 | $4,643,123 | $6,820,896 | $4,527,663 |
| 2021 | $109,939,677 | $7,312,681 | $5,310,871 | $3,931,468 | 107 | $4,669,483 | $6,844,391 | $4,868,534 |
| 2020 | $91,518,127 | $4,215,372 | $4,314,693 | $3,065,374 | 101 | — | $3,845,757 | $3,955,270 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ruth St John & John Dunham West reported a distributable amount of $6.3M for 2025 — 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 mission is to continue the philanthropic legacy of John and Ruth West. Its board’s vision is to support West of the Lake Gardens and award grants to arts and to humanitarian, cultural, or civic organizations centered in the Lakeshore area.
The 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum says it connects people with Wisconsin’s waterways through maritime history and education. The Haven of Manitowoc County says it advocates for homeless men and provides community resources toward self-sufficiency. Grow It Forward says it provides people in need with access to good food and opportunities to grow, cook, share, and advocate for it. Other 2025 grantees include organizations whose stated missions concern healthcare education, older-adult residential care, individual growth through community experiences and employment, and support for a free public zoo.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 63 grants totaling $3,586,885. Grant amounts ranged from $1,964 to $411,343, with a median grant of $32,000. The largest awards included $411,343 to Wisconsin Maritime Museum, $300,000 to The Haven of Manitowoc County, $200,000 to Manitowoc Public Library Foundation, $150,000 each to Grow It Forward, Lakeshore First Robotics Program, and the University of Wisconsin Foundation for FoodWIse, and $125,000 to Lincoln Park Zoological Society of Manitowoc County. The filing lists the purposes of these awards as restricted.
The foundation’s website says applicants must be public charities classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), with a valid IRS tax ID for at least two years. It does not make multi-year commitments and says it should not be considered a source of ongoing support or expected to support operations. It excludes grants to individuals, political or religious groups, K–12 school systems, and fraternal, social, or veteran organizations. Applicants are asked to submit a written application or narrative, a complete budget and future sustainability plan, year-end financial reports, the most recent Form 990 or 990-EZ (or an explanation if one is unavailable), a 501(c)(3) determination letter, and a current board list with addresses and occupations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Phyllis Schippers as president and chairman of the board; John Jagemann as vice president and vice chairman; Bernadine Zimmer as treasurer; Amy Molepske as secretary; Thomas J. Bare as past president; Justin Gerlach as director; and Karen Rohrer as assistant secretary-treasurer. The foundation’s website identifies Schippers as president, Jagemann as vice president, Zimmer as treasurer, Molepske as secretary, and Bare as past president.
Ruth St John & John Dunham West is led by Phyllis Schippers, President & Chairman of the Board on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Phyllis Schippers
President & Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$70K (2020) → $70K (2025)
Justin Gerlach
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$9K (2025)
Bernadine Zimmer
Treasurer
Vice President & Vice Chairman → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $14K (2025)
John Jagemann
Vice President & Vice Chairman
Secretary → Vice President & Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Thomas J. Bare
Past President
Past President → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Amy Molepske
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$12K (2022) → $14K (2025)
Karen Rohrer
Assistant Secretary - Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
30 hrs/week
$53K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Gail Fox Termed August (2021) — Director
- Former: Gail Fox (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $70K, to Phyllis Schippers (President, Chairman of the Board). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ruth St John & John Dunham West
How much does Ruth St John & John Dunham West give each year?
Ruth St John & John Dunham West gave $3.6M across 63 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.8M across 148 grants.
What is Ruth St John & John Dunham West's typical grant size?
Ruth St John & John Dunham West's median grant in 2025 was $32,000, and its average grant was $56,935, across 63 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ruth St John & John Dunham West that year got $42K on average.
Where does Ruth St John & John Dunham West give grants?
Ruth St John & John Dunham West gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Manitowoc, WI (33 grants), Two Rivers, WI (5 grants), Madison, WI (4 grants) and Green Bay, WI (4 grants).
Does Ruth St John & John Dunham West give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Ruth St John & John Dunham West's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 63) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Restricted" (60 grants).
Who are Ruth St John & John Dunham West's largest grantees?
Ruth St John & John Dunham West's largest 2025 grantees include Wisconsin Maritime Museum Inc ($411,343), The Haven of Manitowoc County Inc ($305,000 across 2 grants) and Grow It Forward Inc ($209,612 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($3,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ruth St John & John Dunham West?
Ruth St John & John Dunham West reported $145.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.3M (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.
What does Ruth St John & John Dunham West fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to continue the philanthropic legacy of John and Ruth West. Its board’s vision is to support West of the Lake Gardens and award grants to arts and to humanitarian, cultural, or civic organizations centered in the Lakeshore area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ruth St John & John Dunham West?
Submit the application and required materials for board consideration. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ruth St John & John Dunham West's EIN?
Ruth St John & John Dunham West's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6056375. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 23, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ruth St John & John Dunham West's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ruth St John & John Dunham West funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ruth-st-john-and-john-dunham-west-morg_77b9e470ef1d46a3a968d01d50e034f9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396056375_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ruth St John \& John Dunham West funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ruth-st-john-and-john-dunham-west-morg_77b9e470ef1d46a3a968d01d50e034f9},
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 Ruth St John & John Dunham West'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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