Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin. Its stated principal area of focus is supporting social services for people in need, especially children, in or near Dane County, Wisconsin.
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc gave $2.8M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $78K), mostly in Wisconsin. 39% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,818,500
- +225.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- -34.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $78,292
- +396.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $3,598,722
- -38.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (14 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter of application indicating the charitable purpose for use of the funds. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its stated restriction is that its principal area of focus is social services for people in need, especially children, in or near Dane County, Wisconsin.
- Contact
Application contact: Sandra S Van Slyke
Mailing address: 4717 Hammersley Road, Madison, WI 53711-2708
Phone: (608) 271-2233
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was YMCA of Dane County ($1.9M). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
239 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 222 grants of 239 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated principal area of focus is in or near Dane County, Wisconsin. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin; the remaining shares went to recipients in DC (2%), Colorado (2%), Maryland (1%), and Ohio (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 36 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $114K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 1046% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $232K (2020) to $2.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Dane County Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $1,860,000 |
| River Food Pantry Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $250,000 |
| United Way of Dane County Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $104,500 |
| Badger Prairie Needs Network Verona, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $75,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $50,000 |
| Chef Ann Foundation Boulder, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $50,000 |
| Madison Public Schools Foundation Inc Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $50,000 |
| Breakthrough T1D Hagerstown, MD | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $30,000 |
| Bayview Foundation Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $25,000 |
| Goodman Community Center Madison, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sub-Zero Group 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,598,722 | $744,160 | $2,853,627 | $2,818,500 | 36 | $2,830,500 | $723,533 | $266,255 |
| 2023 | $5,809,152 | $193,972 | $913,090 | $867,020 | 55 | $893,810 | $174,692 | $276,621 |
| 2022 | $5,904,655 | $153,791 | $1,235,019 | $1,202,500 | 52 | $1,205,000 | $129,972 | $339,969 |
| 2021 | $8,094,857 | $331,972 | $273,019 | $246,000 | 46 | $246,000 | $294,245 | $382,190 |
| 2020 | $7,550,365 | $216,213 | $263,631 | $232,000 | 50 | — | $184,331 | $338,087 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $266K for 2024 — 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 separate mission statement is provided. The foundation identifies social services for people in need—especially children in or near Dane County—as its principal area of focus.
Its 2024 grants included support for food-assistance organizations and community and education organizations. For example, The River Food Pantry describes its mission as providing “food, resources, and faith to build a stronger community.” Badger Prairie Needs Network says it is dedicated to fighting poverty and ending hunger, and that its food pantry and programs serve Dane County residents. Madison Public Schools Foundation says it supports the education of every child through fundraising, grants, partnerships, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $2,818,500. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $1,860,000, with a median of $20,000. Its largest listed grants included $1,860,000 to YMCA of Dane County, $250,000 to River Food Pantry, $104,500 to United Way of Dane County, and $75,000 to Badger Prairie Needs Network. The stated purpose for each of these grants was an unrestricted charitable grant.
The foundation awarded 55 grants totaling $867,020 in 2023 and 52 grants totaling $1,202,500 in 2022.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James J. Bakke as president; Deborah A. Schwartz as vice president; Tony Fox as treasurer; Blaine R. Renfert as secretary/general counsel and director; Susan A. Bakke and Frederick P. Schwartz as directors; and Maggie M. Pascaly as executive director.
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc is led by James J. Bakke, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James J. Bakke
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maggie M. Pascaly
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blaine R. Renfert
Secretary, General Counsel & Director
Secretary & General Counsel → Secretary, General Counsel & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan A. Bakke
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frederick P. Schwartz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah A. Schwartz
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Fox
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Sandra S. Van Slyke (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Thomas G. Ragatz (2020–2021) — Assistant Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc
How much does Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc give each year?
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc gave $2.8M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $867K across 55 grants.
What is Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $78,292, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc that year got $23K on average.
Where does Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc give grants?
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (22 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (2 grants).
Does Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include YMCA of Dane County ($1,860,000), River Food Pantry ($250,000) and United Way of Dane County ($104,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc?
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $266K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc fund?
No separate mission statement is provided. The foundation identifies social services for people in need—especially children in or near Dane County—as its principal area of focus. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc?
Submit a letter of application indicating the charitable purpose for use of the funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1918462. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 November 11, 2021)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sub-zero-group-foundation-inc-morg_27b8d6b32ef846bf9611a7e68d79c6c3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391918462_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sub-zero-group-foundation-inc-morg_27b8d6b32ef846bf9611a7e68d79c6c3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Sub-Zero Group 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.
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