The Sub-Zero Group Foundation is a private, independent 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1998 and based in Madison, Wisconsin. It serves as the philanthropic arm of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliance manufacturer. The foundation is a corporate foundation focused on grantmaking to nonprofit organizations aligned with its mission and values.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+225.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
-34.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+396.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to foster innovation in the food ecosystem by increasing access to quality foods and investing in organizations that contribute to lifelong health.
The foundation has identified three primary funding areas:
- Food Security – Supporting organizations that address food insecurity and access to quality foods
- Community Centers – Investing in community-based organizations and centers
- Juvenile Diabetes – Supporting organizations focused on juvenile diabetes research and support
Grantmaking
In May 2024, the foundation announced $1.2 million in grant funding over two years, including a $500,000 donation to The River Food Pantry in Madison.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses support on nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near its manufacturing facilities in:
- Wisconsin
- Arizona
- Iowa
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $5.81 million
- Total Revenues: $193,972
- Total Expenses: $913,090
- Total Liabilities: $0
Cumulative Impact: Since its inception in 1998, the foundation has invested more than $4 million in local community organizations.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
186 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ymca of Dane County ($1,860,000), River Food Pantry ($250,000), United Way of Dane County ($104,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGRACE HOSPICECARE INC MADISON, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $20,000 |
| ALDO LEOPOLD NATURE CENTER MONONA, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $50,000 |
| BABIES AND BEYOND MADISON, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $1,000 |
| BADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NETWORK VERONA, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $75,000 |
| BADGER ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER MADISON, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $10,000 |
| BAYVIEW FOUNDATION MADISON, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $25,000 |
| BEYOND TYPE 1 SAN MATEO, CA | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $10,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF DANE COUNTY MADISON, WI | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $10,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D HAGERSTOWN, MD | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James J. Bakke – President
- Deborah A. Schwartz – Vice President
- Sandra S. Van Slyke – Treasurer
- Blaine R. Renfert – Secretary/General Counsel, Director
- Susan A. Bakke – Director
- Frederick P. Schwartz – Director
- Maggie M. Pascaly – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES J BAKKE | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH A SCHWARTZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| TONY FOX | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BLAINE R RENFERT | SECRETARY/GENERAL COUNSEL, DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN A BAKKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FREDERICK P SCHWARTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MAGGIE M PASCALY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In May 2024, the Sub-Zero Group Foundation announced a new mission and strategic focus areas. The foundation committed $1.2 million in grant funding over the following two years, with a major $500,000 grant to The River Food Pantry in Madison. This announcement reflected the foundation's evolution toward a more focused approach centered on food security, community centers, and juvenile diabetes support. Maggie Pascaly was introduced as the foundation's Executive Director, bringing over a decade of philanthropic experience to guide the organization's growth and deepened community impact.
The River Food Pantry gets $500,000 grant from Sub-Zero Group ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sub-zero Group Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to foster innovation in the food ecosystem by increasing access to quality foods and investing in organizations that contribute to lifelong health. The foundation has identified three primary funding areas: • **Food Security** – Supporting organizations that address food insecurity and access to quality foods • **Community Centers** – Investing in community-based organizations and centers • **Juvenile Diabetes** – Supporting organizations focused on juvenile diabetes…
How do I apply for a grant from Sub-zero Group Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 46-55 grants in 2023 • Grant median: $1,500 • Grant maximum: $500,000 • Total distributions in 2023: $894,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Ed Nebbins Foundation: $500,000 • Association of American Red Cross Retirees: $110,170 • United Way of Dane County: $72,000 **Recent Commitments:** In May 2024, the foundation announced $1.2 million in grant funding over two years, including a $500,000 donation to The River Food Pantry in Madison.
Where does Sub-zero Group Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation focuses support on nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near its manufacturing facilities in: • Wisconsin • Arizona • Iowa
What size grants does Sub-zero Group Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Sub-zero Group Foundation Inc awarded 36 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
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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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