Telly Foundation Ltd
Telly Foundation Ltd is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Telly Foundation Ltd at a glance
In short: Telly Foundation Ltd gave $51K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $50,988
- -86.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -35.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,665
- -79.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $199,059
- -17.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Telly Foundation Ltd
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6424 N Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 352-8571
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Telly Foundation Ltd funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Medical College of Wisconsin ($27K). Together the top 9 received $51K.
Grant Size Distribution
193 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 188 grants of 193 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin and 1% went to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Telly Foundation Ltd gives
- Giving fell 83% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 445% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $51K (2024) to $391K (2020). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $51K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $26,988 |
| Boys & Girls Glub of Greater Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $7,000 |
| St Augustine Preparatory Academy Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $5,000 |
| Children's Hospital Wisconsin Foundation Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $4,500 |
| Milwaukee Art Museum Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $3,000 |
| St Christopher's Church Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $2,000 |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $1,000 |
| United Performing Arts Fund Milwaukee, WI | General Funds | $1,000 |
| Camp Chippewa Foundation Maple Grove, MN | General Funds | $500 |
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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 | $199,059 | $9,975 | $51,670 | $50,988 | 9 | $50,988 | $9,293 | $11,460 |
| 2023 | $240,754 | $81,407 | $384,209 | $380,210 | 14 | $380,210 | $77,481 | $26,326 |
| 2022 | $543,556 | $9,464 | $145,762 | $135,500 | 21 | $136,550 | $12,206 | $43,600 |
| 2021 | $679,854 | $173,080 | $308,017 | $295,900 | 72 | $295,900 | $167,063 | $58,794 |
| 2020 | $821,740 | $225,271 | $393,026 | $390,950 | 77 | — | $223,205 | $71,883 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Telly Foundation Ltd reported a distributable amount of $11K 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 mission statement for Telly Foundation Ltd is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions, as described by the organizations themselves, include developing student leaders through Christian-based education (St. Augustine Preparatory Academy), collecting and presenting art and educating the public about art and art history (Milwaukee Art Museum), and supporting the performing arts in southeastern Wisconsin (United Performing Arts Fund). Camp Chippewa Foundation describes its mission as developing character through adventure, inspired by tradition.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $50,988 through 9 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $26,988, with a median grant of $3,000.
The largest 2024 grants were $26,988 to Medical College of Wisconsin, $7,000 to Boys & Girls Glub of Greater Milwaukee, $5,000 to St Augustine Preparatory Academy, $4,500 to Children's Hospital Wisconsin Foundation, and $3,000 to Milwaukee Art Museum. Other recipients included St Christopher's Church ($2,000), Milwaukee College Preparatory School ($1,000), United Performing Arts Fund ($1,000), and Camp Chippewa Foundation ($500). The listed purposes for these grants were “General Funds.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James B Wigdale Jr as President and Margaret A Hammell as Secretary.
Telly Foundation Ltd is led by James B Wigdale Jr., President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James B Wigdale Jr.
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret A Hammell
Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elizabeth Wigdale (2020–2021) — President
- Former: James B Wigdale (2020–2021) — Treasurer & 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 Telly Foundation Ltd
How much does Telly Foundation Ltd give each year?
Telly Foundation Ltd gave $51K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $380K across 14 grants.
What is Telly Foundation Ltd's typical grant size?
Telly Foundation Ltd's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $5,665, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Telly Foundation Ltd give grants?
Telly Foundation Ltd gives mostly in Wisconsin: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (8 grants).
Does Telly Foundation Ltd give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Telly Foundation Ltd's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Telly Foundation Ltd's largest grantees?
Telly Foundation Ltd's largest 2024 grantees include Medical College of Wisconsin ($26,988), Boys & Girls Glub of Greater Milwaukee ($7,000) and St Augustine Preparatory Academy ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Telly Foundation Ltd?
Telly Foundation Ltd reported $199K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $51K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Telly Foundation Ltd fund?
No mission statement for Telly Foundation Ltd is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions, as described by the organizations themselves, include developing student leaders through Christian-based education (St. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Telly Foundation Ltd?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Telly Foundation Ltd's EIN?
Telly Foundation Ltd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1570459. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Telly Foundation Ltd 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 November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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