Sommerhauser Foundation Inc
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its 2025 filing reports 20 grants totaling $92,950, with recipients including health care and educational institutions, a community organization, and a veterans’ memorial organization.
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Sommerhauser Foundation Inc gave $93K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state Wisconsin. 60% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $92,950
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,648
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $253,379
- -24.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (12 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (45% 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 Sommerhauser Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions go only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 833 E Michigan St 1800, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 273-3500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sommerhauser Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc ($14K). Together the top 10 received $88K.
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 103 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
For 2025 grant dollars, the reported recipient-state shares were Wisconsin 45%, Illinois 22%, Minnesota 11%, Nebraska 11%, and Florida 8%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sommerhauser Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 20 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 35% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 452% 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 $85K (2020) to $105K (2021). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $93K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Operating Support | $13,500 |
| Aurora Health Care Foundation Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation (Northwestern Memorial Healthcare) Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Northwestern University Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| The Medical College of Wisconsin Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| NCH Healthcare Systems Inc Naples, FL | General Operating Support | $7,500 |
| Milwaukee County War Memorial Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Kerrville, TX | Kerr County Flood Relief | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sommerhauser 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 | $253,379 | $15,079 | $94,938 | $92,950 | 20 | $94,938 | $15,079 | $21,012 |
| 2024 | $333,237 | $8,954 | $98,226 | $94,552 | 20 | $98,226 | $8,954 | $23,661 |
| 2023 | $422,509 | $17,173 | $93,437 | $90,750 | 20 | $92,325 | $17,173 | $26,773 |
| 2022 | $498,773 | $45,436 | $91,154 | $88,350 | 16 | $91,079 | $45,436 | $30,884 |
| 2021 | $544,490 | $11,175 | $107,494 | $105,200 | 27 | $107,334 | $11,175 | $36,911 |
| 2020 | $640,809 | $17,278 | $87,465 | $84,600 | 27 | — | $17,278 | $36,447 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sommerhauser Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include organizations whose stated missions span health care, education, community services, and honoring veterans. For example, Mayo Clinic describes its mission as providing care through integrated clinical practice, education, and research; the University of Nebraska Foundation says it grows relationships and resources to enable the university to change and save lives; and United Community Center says it provides services in education, human services, health, community development, and cultural arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 20 grants totaling $92,950. Grants ranged from $100 to $13,500, with a median grant of $1,500. The largest awards included $13,500 to United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, and $10,000 each to Aurora Health Care Foundation, Mayo Clinic, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Northwestern University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the University of Nebraska Foundation. These grants were reported for general operating support. Other reported awards included $5,000 to Milwaukee County War Memorial and $2,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country for Kerr County flood relief.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Peter M Sommerhauser as president and director; Elizabeth H Sommerhauser as vice president, treasurer, and director; Lisa E Eickberg as vice president, secretary, and director; Brian L Sommerhauser as vice president and director; and James N Phillips and Joan D Klimpel as directors.
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc is led by Peter M. Sommerhauser, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Peter M. Sommerhauser
President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Brian L. Sommerhauser
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Elizabeth H. Sommerhauser
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lisa E. Eickberg
Vice President, Secretary & Director
Vice President & Director → Vice President, Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James N. Phillips
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Joan D. Klimpel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Barbara J. Herbst (2020–2021) — Secretary & Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Sommerhauser Foundation Inc
How much does Sommerhauser Foundation Inc give each year?
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc gave $93K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $95K across 20 grants.
What is Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,500, and its average grant was $4,648, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sommerhauser Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does Sommerhauser Foundation Inc give grants?
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's top state is Wisconsin, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (22%) and Minnesota (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (10 grants) and Chicago, IL (3 grants).
Does Sommerhauser Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 95% of Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc ($13,500), Aurora Health Care Foundation Inc ($10,000) and Mayo Clinic ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sommerhauser Foundation Inc?
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc reported $253K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $95K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sommerhauser Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include organizations whose stated missions span health care, education, community services, and honoring veterans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sommerhauser Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions go only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1805123. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Sommerhauser 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sommerhauser Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Wisconsin
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
Appleton, WI
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing distributes donor-directed and program donations to a broad range of causes and organizations in local, national, and global communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $11,520 and ranged from $5,006 to $5 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$939.7M
Grants
2,565
Total Given
$84.6M
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
$28.5M
Grants
929
Total Given
$2.4M
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds nonprofit programs, projects, general operations and capital needs, with priorities including early childhood education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and scientific research. Its competitive grants primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties; in 2024, the median grant was about $27,800, though awards varied widely. It runs competitive grant cycles, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Give Back Foundation
Madison, WI
Give Back Foundation distributes donor-designated contributions through workplace giving and other giving platforms to selected 501(c)(3) charities, rather than setting its own cause areas. In 2025, grants had a median of $9,066, with recipient organizations concentrated in Virginia, California, and Washington, D.C.; it does not accept unsolicited requests or work directly with charities.
Assets
$31.3M
Grants
639
Total Given
$40.1M
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc
Milwaukee, WI
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County funds local human services and community programs focused on housing stability, digital access, employment, teen mental wellness, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2 million, with a median of about $34,000, and most funding went to Wisconsin, especially its four-county region. It requires a Letter of Intent before a full application; the listed 2026–27 Letter of Intent deadline has passed.
Assets
$50.8M
Grants
639
Total Given
$42.7M
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). Sommerhauser Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sommerhauser-foundation-inc-morg_14f3afe498b34d6a9a8c422f8569f4a5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391805123_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sommerhauser Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sommerhauser-foundation-inc-morg_14f3afe498b34d6a9a8c422f8569f4a5},
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 Sommerhauser 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.
Sommerhauser Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?