Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Waunakee, Wisconsin. It supports organizations serving people in Dane, Green, Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties, with a focus on meaningful work, youth development, and connections to nature.
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Schlecht Family Foundation Inc gave $844K across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in Wisconsin. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $843,500
- -25.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- -2.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $24,100
- -23.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $5,303,194
- -4.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (16 of 35, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (94% 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 Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its grant guidelines also describe an initial email inquiry for organizations that meet its stated criteria: the organization must be a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor, serve people in one of the five named Wisconsin counties, work in a funded focus area, and not lobby or influence an election. If there appears to be mission alignment, the foundation says it will schedule a call; requests are considered at board meetings held three times a year, in April/May, August/September, and December. It says approved checks are sent within five business days.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5348 County Road M, Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: (414) 287-9227
Website: https://schlechtfamilyfoundation.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 Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
SFFI: Capacity Building Grants
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
SFFI: General Operating Grants
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
SFFI: Impact Investments Grant
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Schlecht Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation of Sourthern Wisconsin Inc ($50K). Together the top 10 received $429K.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 100 grants of 145 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation names Dane, Green, Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties in Wisconsin as its geographic focus. In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 4% to Colorado, and 2% to Iowa. The foundation says its board may occasionally make grants outside its stated geography.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Schlecht Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 35 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 49% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 239% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $498K (2020) to $1.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $844K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Sourthern Wisconsin Inc Janesville, WI | To Support Operating Activities | $50,000 |
| Groundswell Conservancy Spring Green, WI | To Support Operating Activities. | $50,000 |
| Latino Academy of Workforce Development Inc Madison, WI | To Support Operating Activities | $50,000 |
| Lighthouse Christian School Madison, WI | To Support Operating Activities. | $50,000 |
| Operation Fresh Start Madison, WI | To Support Operating Activities | $50,000 |
| Wisconsin Latino Economic Development Center Fitchburg, WI | To Support Operating Activities. | $50,000 |
| Families and Schools Together Ashland, WI | To Support Operating Activities | $36,000 |
| Goodman Community Center Madison, WI | To Support Operating Activities | $32,500 |
| Black Girl Magic Education Services Madison, WI | To Support Operating Activities | $30,000 |
| Literacy Network Keystone, CO | To Support Operating Activities | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Schlecht Family Foundation Inc?
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 | $5,303,194 | $486,148 | $1,107,101 | $843,500 | 35 | $1,059,786 | $438,833 | $443,279 |
| 2024 | $5,568,510 | $506,907 | $1,380,893 | $1,130,917 | 36 | $1,313,952 | $439,966 | $521,058 |
| 2023 | $6,643,840 | $1,653,056 | $1,259,589 | $1,013,208 | 21 | $1,200,956 | $1,581,692 | $610,444 |
| 2022 | $6,250,373 | $10,041,468 | $1,242,620 | $991,661 | 30 | $1,166,478 | $134,192 | $766,768 |
| 2021 | $7,679,914 | $955,727 | $1,115,067 | $971,033 | 23 | $1,059,292 | $915,817 | $549,050 |
| 2020 | $7,557,608 | $786,959 | $619,441 | $497,500 | 17 | — | $750,012 | $467,640 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Schlecht Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $443K for 2025 — 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 identifies three focus areas:
- Meaningful Work: Supporting organizations that create pathways for people with a vision and desire to pursue it.
- Forging Character: Supporting organizations that help youth ages 12–24 develop confidence and skills for a purposeful life.
- Connections to Nature: Supporting education and conservation that help people, especially children, connect with the natural world.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of work represented in its giving. Operation Fresh Start says it empowers emerging adults through education, mentoring, and employment training. Aldo Leopold Nature Center describes its work as nurturing children, their well-being, and environmental sustainability through connecting and learning in nature. Literacy Network says it helps adults in Dane County build skills, reach goals, and connect communities.
Grantmaking
The foundation describes four forms of support: capacity-building grants for organizational effectiveness, one-time seed grants for startups or new programs, general operating grants for organizations with a track record of impact, and impact investments such as loans or guarantees that yield a financial return. It also says its board may occasionally make grants outside its stated focus areas or geography.
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 35 grants totaling $843,500. Grant amounts ranged from $4,000 to $50,000, with a median of $20,000. Among the largest grants were $50,000 each to Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Groundswell Conservancy, Latino Academy of Workforce Development, Lighthouse Christian School, Operation Fresh Start, and Wisconsin Latino Economic Development Center, all for operating activities. Other reported grants included $36,000 to Families and Schools Together, $32,500 to Goodman Community Center, and $30,000 each to Black Girl Magic Education Services, Literacy Network, Monk Gardens, and University of Wisconsin Foundation.
In 2024, the foundation gave $83,667 to Aldo Leopold Nature Center and $50,000 to Bookworm Gardens. Other reported 2024 grants included $30,000 to Literacy Network, $25,000 to Families and Schools Together, $25,000 to Operation Fresh Start, and $25,000 to MARC.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stephen L. Schlecht as president/director, Marianne M. Schlecht as vice president/director, Stephanie Schlecht as secretary/director, and Richard W. Schlecht as treasurer/director. The foundation’s website identifies Stephanie Schlecht as executive director.
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc is led by Stephen L. Schlecht, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephen L. Schlecht
President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Schlecht
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$51K (2020) → $147K (2025)
Marianne M. Schlecht
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard W. Schlecht
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $147K, to Stephanie Schlecht (Secretary/Director).
Frequently asked questions about Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
How much does Schlecht Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc gave $844K across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 36 grants.
What is Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $24,100, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Schlecht Family Foundation Inc that year got $20K on average.
Where does Schlecht Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (16 grants), Fitchburg, WI (2 grants), Ashland, WI (2 grants) and Mt Horeb, WI (2 grants).
Does Schlecht Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation of Sourthern Wisconsin Inc ($50,000), Groundswell Conservancy ($50,000) and Latino Academy of Workforce Development Inc ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Schlecht Family Foundation Inc?
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $443K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Schlecht Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation identifies three focus areas: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Schlecht Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5641232. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Schlecht Family Foundation Inc 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 22, 2026)
Live grants for the work Schlecht Family Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Schlecht Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Madison Community Foundation
Madison, WI
Madison Community Foundation funds nonprofits through Community Impact grants in arts and culture, community development, environment, learning, and organizational capacity, as well as Field of Interest funds. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $12,000; Community Impact grants average $50,000 and may span multiple years. Grants primarily benefit organizations in Dane County, Wisconsin, and the foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its stated application processes.
Assets
$347.6M
Grants
376
Total Given
$13.6M
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
$28.5M
Grants
929
Total Given
$2.4M
Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
The foundation funds charitable and tax-exempt organizations, including community services and affordable workforce housing, primarily in Madison and within Madison Gas and Electric’s service territory. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $300,000, with a median of $2,000. It accepts applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$45.2M
Grants
217
Total Given
$1.9M
Trustage Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
TruStage Foundation funds economic mobility through education—especially K–12 literacy, mentoring, and tutoring—and housing, including affordable housing, homelessness support, and rental assistance, with an emphasis on equity and systemic change. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $650,000, with a median of $22,500; it prioritizes Madison/Dane County, Wisconsin, and the Cedar Valley area of Iowa, while employee giving supports organizations nationwide. Its 2024 filing says it funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$14.6M
Grants
74
Total Given
$3.6M
The Evjue Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
The Evjue Foundation supports religious, charitable, educational, civic, and cultural organizations, with grants spanning needs such as health, arts, housing, and community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $200,000, with a median of $15,000; nearly all grant funding went to organizations in Wisconsin. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$30.3M
Grants
70
Total Given
$1.5M
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
$57.2M
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Wisconsin
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Schlecht Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/schlecht-family-foundation-inc-morg_e3a411c1d91d479a82b337e0e64b2f21
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475641232_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Schlecht Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/schlecht-family-foundation-inc-morg_e3a411c1d91d479a82b337e0e64b2f21},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Schlecht Family Foundation Inc'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.
Schlecht Family Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?