Sommer Family Foundation Inc
Sommer Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The foundation operates as a scholarship-granting organization dedicated to supporting deserving students facing significant personal challenges.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
+0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$68K
-6.0% YoY
Grant Count
43
-4.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-1.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sommer Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $69K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Sommer Foundation is to provide college or university scholarships to deserving high school seniors who have experienced the death of a parent and, despite the resulting emotional trauma, have performed in an exemplary manner during their high school career.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
** The foundation maintains Scholarship Rules and Statement of Financial Policies available to applicants. For additional information concerning the foundation's annual report or to obtain a complete copy of the tax return, interested parties may contact the foundation directly.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Illinois, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $1,385,985
- Total Giving (2023): $72,308
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,386,081 | $1,385,985 | $1,359,244 |
| Revenue | $-11,724 | $18,199 | $89,698 |
| Expenses | $81,707 | $87,847 | $91,486 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $68,000 | $72,308 | $82,508 |
| Net Investment Income | $28,170 | $22,746 | $84,144 |
| Distributable Amount | $69,498 | $67,837 | $72,308 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
236 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Applegate Regional Theatre Inc ($9,000), White Lake Sailing School ($4,000), Bristol Fire Department ($3,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APPLEGATE REGIONAL THEATRE INC VENETA, OR | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $9,000 |
| BRISTOL FIRE DEPARTMENT BRISTOL, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $3,000 |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS GLENCOE, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
| CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL WALLINGFORD, CT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
| COLGATE UNIVERSITY HAMILTON, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $2,000 |
| COMMUNITY ROWING INC INSTITUTE FOR ROWING LEADERSHIP BRIGHTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
| COTTEY COLLEGE NEVADA, MO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
| DENSION UNIVERSITY GRANVILLE, OH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $2,500 |
| DEXTER SCHOOL DEXTER, MI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
| DOWNS SYNDROME CONNECTION OF THE BAY AREA DANVILLE, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN SOMMER | PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SCOTT SOMMER | SECRETARY / DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ERICH SOMMER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JEFFREY SOMMER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ERIN SOMMER | TRUSTEE / DIRECTOR | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sommer Family Foundation Inc fund?
The mission of the Sommer Foundation is to provide college or university scholarships to deserving high school seniors who have experienced the death of a parent and, despite the resulting emotional trauma, have performed in an exemplary manner during their high school career.
How do I apply for a grant from Sommer Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $250 to $10,684. **Grant Activity:** The foundation distributed $72,308 in total giving according to the most recent IRS Form 990 filing from 2023. **Application Process:** The foundation maintains Scholarship Rules and Statement of Financial Policies available to applicants. For additional information concerning the foundation's annual report or to obtain a complete copy of the tax return, interested parties may contact the foundation directly.
Where does Sommer Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Illinois, Massachusetts, and Florida.
What size grants does Sommer Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Sommer Family Foundation Inc awarded 43 grants totaling $68K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sommer Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sommer Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $69K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sommer Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sommer Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3218800. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sommer Family Foundation Inc'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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