The Brookby Foundation
The Brookby Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that seeks to promote community well-being. Its filing also describes the foundation as located in Mequon, Wisconsin.
The Brookby Foundation at a glance
In short: The Brookby Foundation gave $3.5M across 151 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), top state Michigan. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,464,606
- +11.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 151
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,944
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $30,658,999
- -8.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (20 of 146, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (32% 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 The Brookby Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Grant requests are reviewed three times a year and must begin with a letter of inquiry submitted through the online grant portal. The LOI is reviewed for alignment with the foundation’s grantmaking strategies. If approved, applicants are asked to submit a full application and supporting documents; applicants may be asked for additional information before the review meeting. Applicants may request funding once per calendar year. The spring review is limited to Edith Blodgett Legacy Fund requests, and only former Blodgett Foundation grantees may apply in that cycle. New applicants may apply during the summer and winter cycles.
- Review Cycle
- Spring LOIs are due before February 15; summer LOIs before May 15; and winter LOIs before September 15.
- Deadline
- Spring LOIs are due before February 15; summer LOIs before May 15; and winter LOIs before September 15.
- Contact
Application contact: The Brookby Foundation
Mailing address: 1313 N Franklin Place 2002, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (262) 478-0629
Website: https://brookbyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Brookby Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Oregon Symphony ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
738 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 632 grants of 738 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Michigan and Wisconsin each accounted for 32% of grant dollars, and Oregon accounted for 20%. Illinois and New York each accounted for 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 151 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Brookby Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 146 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 84% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 144% of 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 $2.3M (2020) to $3.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 151 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Symphony Portland, OR | General Support | $500,000 |
| Inland Seas Education Association Suttons Bay, MI | Campaign for the Future | $200,000 |
| UWM Foundation Inc Milwaukee, WI | Launching the Research Vessel Maggi Sue | $200,000 |
| Grand Rapids Symphony Grand Rapids, MI | Blue Lake Concert; Matching Challenge; & Mayflower Performance | $166,423 |
| Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Medford, WI | Climate-Smart Market Opportunities, MMRV of Managed Grazing, Workforce | $160,000 |
| All Classical Radio Portland, OR | Media Arts Center | $100,000 |
| Urban Ecology Center Milwaukee, WI | Imagine Campaign | $100,000 |
| Urban Ecology Center Milwaukee, WI | Imagine Campaign | $90,000 |
| Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE) Boulder, CO | General Support | $75,000 |
| Michigan Civic Education Fund Madison Heights, MI | General Support | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Brookby 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 | $30,658,999 | $1,247,487 | $3,829,453 | $3,464,606 | 151 | $3,619,178 | $1,064,624 | $2,504,824 |
| 2023 | $33,383,492 | $1,762,140 | $3,466,961 | $3,112,645 | 144 | $3,260,260 | $1,594,049 | $2,276,898 |
| 2022 | $35,087,745 | $1,274,022 | $3,557,804 | $3,261,291 | 153 | $3,437,653 | $1,151,799 | $2,423,089 |
| 2021 | $37,403,383 | $2,854,900 | $3,314,175 | $3,009,752 | 144 | $3,182,061 | $2,741,712 | $2,442,633 |
| 2020 | $37,842,320 | $806,335 | $2,523,091 | $2,289,030 | 146 | — | $896,469 | $2,540,691 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brookby Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M 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 stated purpose is to promote community well-being. Its 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and projects. For example, the Inland Seas Education Association says its mission is to inspire Great Lakes curiosity, stewardship, and passion; the Urban Ecology Center says it connects people in cities to nature and each other; and the Michigan Civic Education Fund says it supports nonpartisan efforts related to opportunity, government accountability, and civic participation. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not additional statements of the foundation’s own priorities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 151 grants totaling $3,464,606. Grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $1,500. The largest awards included $500,000 to Oregon Symphony for general support; $200,000 each to Inland Seas Education Association for its Campaign for the Future and the UWM Foundation for launching the research vessel Maggi Sue; and $166,423 to Grand Rapids Symphony for performances and a matching challenge.
Other grants included $160,000 to Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship for climate-smart market opportunities, managed-grazing measurement and workforce efforts; $100,000 to All Classical Radio for a media arts center; and $100,000 and $90,000 to the Urban Ecology Center for its Imagine Campaign. The foundation also awarded $75,000 each to Action for the Climate Emergency, Michigan Civic Education Fund, Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education, and Mote Marine Laboratory.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wendy Greeney as president/secretary, Paul Greeney as vice president/treasurer, Daniel Greeney as managing director, and Jonathan Greeney as board trustee.
The Brookby Foundation is led by Wendy Greeney, President & Secretary on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Wendy Greeney
President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Greeney
Managing Director
Board Trustee → Managing Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Jonathan Greeney
Board Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Greeney
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $60K, to Daniel Greeney (Managing Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Brookby Foundation
How much does The Brookby Foundation give each year?
The Brookby Foundation gave $3.5M across 151 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.1M across 144 grants.
What is The Brookby Foundation's typical grant size?
The Brookby Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,500, and its average grant was $22,944, across 151 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Brookby Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does The Brookby Foundation give grants?
The Brookby Foundation's top state is Michigan, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wisconsin (32%) and Oregon (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (21 grants), New York, NY (15 grants), Traverse City, MI (11 grants) and Washington, DC (11 grants).
Does The Brookby Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of The Brookby Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (90 of 151) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Brookby Foundation's largest grantees?
The Brookby Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Oregon Symphony ($500,000), Inland Seas Education Association ($230,000 across 2 grants) and UWM Foundation Inc ($205,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Brookby Foundation?
The Brookby Foundation reported $30.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Brookby Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to promote community well-being. Its 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Brookby Foundation?
Grant requests are reviewed three times a year and must begin with a letter of inquiry submitted through the online grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Brookby Foundation's EIN?
The Brookby Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3202330. 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 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Brookby Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Brookby Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-brookby-foundation-morg_a4733610f13d4adaa6c5c53c72451bd2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383202330_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Brookby Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-brookby-foundation-morg_a4733610f13d4adaa6c5c53c72451bd2},
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 The Brookby 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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