The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, incorporated in 1942 as the Allen-Bradley Foundation, Inc. The organization received its tax-exempt ruling in February 1943 and operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization classified as a corporate foundation under the category of Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Grantmaking Foundations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$56.5M
+4.4% YoY
Grant Count
361
+4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$156K
+0.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation pursues a mission to restore, strengthen, and protect the principles and institutions of American exceptionalism. Its support is directed toward projects that cultivate a renewed, healthier, and more vigorous sense of citizenship, at home and abroad.
The Foundation's approach reflects the assumption that free men and women are genuinely self-governing, personally responsible citizens, able to run their daily affairs without the intrusive therapies of the bureaucratic, social service state. Consequently, projects seek to reinvigorate and revive the authority of traditional institutions of civil society—families, schools, churches, neighborhoods, and entrepreneurial enterprises—that cultivate and provide room for the exercise of citizenship, individual responsibility, and strong moral character.
Projects reflecting this view of citizenship and civil society may include:
- Demonstrations with national significance
- Public policy research in economics, politics, culture, or foreign affairs
- Media and public education undertakings
Local support is directed toward cultural programs, education, social services, medical and health programs, and public policy research.
Grantmaking
The Foundation can only support organizations that are:
Review Cycle
and Board Meeting Schedule:**
How to Apply
The Foundation accepts applications solely through its online grants-management system at bradley.smartsimple.com.
Ready to take the next step with The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on Wisconsin, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $993,446,884
- Total Revenue: $61,000,000
- Total Expenses: $68,900,000
- Total Liabilities: $24,200,000
- Total Giving: $56,482,360
As of 2021:
- Investments: $1.1 billion
- Revenue: $146.8 million
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bradley Impact Fund Inc ($3,200,000), American Legislative Exchange Council ($500,000), Barry Goldwater Institute For Public Policy Research ($475,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 Generations Inc Elkhorn, WI | To support general operations | $165,000 |
| 4th Dimension Sobriety Inc Milwaukee, WI | To support general operations | $102,500 |
| Above the Clouds Milwaukee, WI | To support general operations | $25,000 |
| Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty Grand Rapids, MI | To support general operations | $1,000 |
| ACTS Community Development Corporation Milwaukee, WI | To support general operations | $100,000 |
| AFAR INC Wauwatosa, WI | To support general operations | $80,000 |
| AFAR INC Wauwatosa, WI | To support a capital project | $100,000 |
| America's Future Washington, DC | To support general operations and Talent Market | $200,000 |
| American Academy of Sciences and Letters Inc Dover, DE | To support general operations | $75,000 |
| American Conservation Coalition Inc Washington, DC | To support general operations | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Richard W. Graber is listed as Principal Officer.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced local and state giving totaled $13 million in 2025. The Foundation also administers the Bradley Prize, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding intellectual and civic contributions to American civilization. Recent 2026 Bradley Prize winners announced include Professor James Hankins, Senator Phil Gramm, and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik.
Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Grants (Rolling) \u2013 Center for Studies\Contact Information
Address: 1400 N. Water Street, Suite 300 Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website: www.bradleyfdn.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation pursues a mission to restore, strengthen, and protect the principles and institutions of American exceptionalism. Its support is directed toward projects that cultivate a renewed, healthier, and more vigorous sense of citizenship, at home and abroad. The Foundation's approach reflects the assumption that free men and women are genuinely self-governing, personally responsible citizens, able to run their daily affairs without the intrusive therapies of the bureaucratic, social serv…
How do I apply for a grant from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc?
The Foundation can only support organizations that are: • Exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code • Publicly supported under Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) The Foundation cannot: • Provide grants to individuals • Fund overhead or indirect costs The Foundation accepts applications solely through its online grants-management system at bradley.smartsimple.com. The Foundation employs a two-step application procedure: **Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)** **Ste…
Where does The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on Wisconsin, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc awarded 361 grants totaling $56.5M — an average of about $156K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6037928. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Bradley Impact Fund Inc
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$200.3M
Grants
402
Total Given
$47.9M
Donors Trust Inc
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
919
Total Given
$282.1M
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
Baird Foundation Inc
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
—
Grants
3,751
Total Given
$6.6M
Adolph Coors Foundation
DENVER, CO
Assets
$206.6M
Grants
146
Total Given
$8.9M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Sarah Scaife Foundation Incorporated
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$588.2M
Grants
176
Total Given
$45.3M
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc to a real strategy.