The Argosy Foundation
The Argosy Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It supports people and programs intended to make society a better place to live, using creative and entrepreneurial approaches to help people help themselves and become self-sustaining where possible.
The Argosy Foundation at a glance
In short: The Argosy Foundation gave $16.9M across 280 grants in 2024 (avg $60K), top state Vermont. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,870,284
- +16.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 280
- +14.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $60,251
- +1.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $28,750
- Total assets
- $74,038,941
- +69.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Vermont (21% 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 The Argosy Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 555 E Wells St 1650, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3835
Phone: (414) 721-0021
Website: https://argosyfnd.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Argosy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hack Club ($1.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $6.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,033 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 676 grants of 1,033 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Milwaukee and its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Vermont (21%), the District of Columbia (10%), Colorado (7%), Georgia (6%), and Florida (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 280 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Argosy Foundation gives
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 48% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 650% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $662K (2020) to $16.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 280 grants totaling $16.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hack Club Shelburne, VT | STEM Project | $1,355,000 |
| Baptist Health South Florida Foundation Coral Gables, FL | Research Project | $1,000,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta, GA | Planning Project | $1,000,000 |
| Shelburne Farms Shelburne, VT | Capital Campaign | $1,000,000 |
| Association of American Colleges and Universities Washington, DC | Education Project | $666,667 |
| For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (First) Manchester, NH | STEM Project | $585,000 |
| Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $300,000 |
| Minneapolis Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Environmental Policy Project | $290,000 |
| Beyond Benign Inc Wilmington, MA | Research Project | $250,000 |
| Refed Inc Chicago, IL | Food Waste Project | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Argosy Foundation?
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 | $74,038,941 | $26,086,792 | $19,513,924 | $16,870,284 | 280 | $20,230,967 | $8,815,659 | $3,110,937 |
| 2023 | $43,726,835 | $16,686,500 | $17,010,018 | $14,525,208 | 244 | $16,309,576 | $8,157,517 | $1,869,596 |
| 2022 | $33,588,272 | $31,761,854 | $14,826,450 | $12,508,458 | 246 | $14,172,866 | $15,335,898 | $1,537,863 |
| 2021 | $36,932,110 | $41,277,914 | $13,411,575 | $11,428,629 | 211 | $12,861,608 | $16,279,367 | $1,493,708 |
| 2020 | $21,589,302 | $19,354,188 | $2,022,106 | $662,256 | 52 | — | $8,303,596 | $446,093 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Argosy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M 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
The foundation’s mission is to support people and programs that make society a better place to live. It says it aims to solve systemic problems, build teams and communities, create replicable solutions, and inspire others to contribute.
Its 2024 grants show support for projects including STEM, research, education, planning, capital campaigns, environmental policy, and food waste, as well as general support. Among the organizations it supported, Shelburne Farms describes its mission as inspiring and cultivating learning for a sustainable future. Beyond Benign says it promotes green chemistry and sustainable science through K–12 and university programs. ReFED describes its work as catalyzing evidence-based action to stop food waste. The American Indian College Fund says it invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.
The foundation says it values research and analysis in decision-making, collaboration, and responsible stewardship of financial and intellectual resources.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 280 grants totaling $16,870,284. Grants ranged from $30 to $1,355,000, with a median of $28,750.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $1,355,000 to Hack Club for a STEM project; $1,000,000 each to Baptist Health South Florida Foundation for a research project, Boys & Girls Clubs of America for a planning project, and Shelburne Farms for a capital campaign; and $666,667 to the Association of American Colleges and Universities for an education project. Other examples include $300,000 to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for general support, $250,000 to Beyond Benign for a research project, and $225,000 to FIRST in Michigan for a STEM project.
The foundation says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says it may not respond to materials sent without an explicit request.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Kenneth C. Zolot, administrative trustee; Jennifer L. Abele, CEO/president; Christopher S. Abele, trustee; John E. Abele, chair; and Mary S. Abele, trustee.
The Argosy Foundation is led by Jennifer L. Abele, CEO & President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer L. Abele
CEO & President
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John E. Abele
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth C. Zolot
Administrative Trustee
Aministrative Trustee → Administrative Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$55K (2020) → $63K (2024)
Christopher S. Abele
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary S. Abele
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lawrence I. Silverstein Esq. (2020–2022) — Legal Representative
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $63K, to Kenneth C Zolot (Administrative Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Argosy Foundation
How much does The Argosy Foundation give each year?
The Argosy Foundation gave $16.9M across 280 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $14.5M across 244 grants.
What is The Argosy Foundation's typical grant size?
The Argosy Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $28,750, and its average grant was $60,251, across 280 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Argosy Foundation give grants?
The Argosy Foundation's top state is Vermont, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (10%) and Colorado (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, VT (22 grants), Milwaukee, WI (19 grants), Washington, DC (17 grants) and New York, NY (14 grants).
Does The Argosy Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 49% of The Argosy Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (138 of 280) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Reproductive Health Project" (31 grants), "STEM Project" (25 grants) and "Communications Project" (12 grants).
Who are The Argosy Foundation's largest grantees?
The Argosy Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Hack Club ($1,480,000 across 2 grants), Shelburne Farms ($1,050,000 across 2 grants) and Baptist Health South Florida Foundation ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Argosy Foundation?
The Argosy Foundation reported $74.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $20.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Argosy Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support people and programs that make society a better place to live. It says it aims to solve systemic problems, build teams and communities, create replicable solutions, and inspire others to contribute. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Argosy Foundation?
The Argosy Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check argosyfnd.org for any change to that policy.
What is The Argosy Foundation's EIN?
The Argosy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6752868. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Argosy Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Argosy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Argosy Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-argosy-foundation-morg_3bf3a4d790684e3e94cd69a797e891a5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046752868_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Argosy Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-argosy-foundation-morg_3bf3a4d790684e3e94cd69a797e891a5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Argosy Foundation'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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