The Milbank Foundation
The Milbank Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A grant-program description says it was established in 1995 to pursue Jeremiah Milbank’s vision of integrating people with disabilities into all aspects of American life.
The Milbank Foundation at a glance
In short: The Milbank Foundation gave $1.7M across 23 grants in 2020 (avg $73K), top state New York. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $1,674,202
- Grants made (2020)
- 23
- Average grant
- $72,791
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $24,905,067
- Primary geography
- New York (27% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Milbank Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Carl Helstrom Milbank Foundation Fo
Mailing address: 343 N Water Street 649, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (609) 951-2283
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Milbank Foundation
Who The Milbank Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Yale Cancer Center ($400K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 23 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2020 grants went to recipients in multiple states. New York accounted for 27% of grant dollars, Connecticut 24%, California and Virginia 10% each, and Massachusetts 7%. The filing also states that projects outside the United States are ineligible.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 23 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yale Cancer Center New Haven, CT | Operating Support | $400,000 |
| Center to Advance Palliative Care New York, NY | Operating Support | $150,000 |
| State Policy Network Arlington, VA | Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Foundation for Government Accountability Naples, FL | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Mentorthe National Mentoring Partnership Boston, MA | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Operation Surf San Luis Obispo, CA | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Viscardi Center Albertson, NY | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Partnership to End Additcion New York, NY | Operating Support | $75,000 |
| Travis Manion Foundation Doylestown, PA | Operating Support | $75,000 |
| Myface New York, NY | Operating Support | $70,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $24,905,067 | $1,325,249 | $1,655,751 | $1,674,202 | 23 | $1,125,778 | $1,092,850 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Milbank Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The grant-program description lists priorities that include community-based initiatives promoting independence for people with disabilities, veterans’ rehabilitation and reintegration, services helping seniors age at home, patient-centered health care reforms, and programs addressing mental health, substance abuse, and suicide, especially among young people.
The 2020 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, State Policy Network describes its mission as catalyzing state-level freedom movements anchored by independent think tanks. Operation Surf says it uses surfing and other activities to help people address life challenges. The Travis Manion Foundation says it empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. Other grantees included health care, palliative care, disability, and university-support organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $1,674,202. Grants ranged from $8,500 to $400,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards included $400,000 to Yale Cancer Center for operating support, $150,000 to the Center to Advance Palliative Care for operating support, and $125,000 to State Policy Network for operating support. Other notable awards included $100,000 each to the Foundation for Government Accountability, Mentor: The National Mentoring Partnership, Operation Surf, and Viscardi Center.
The foundation’s 2020 filing stated that applications had to be submitted online and listed no deadlines. It also stated that grants would not be awarded for endowments or capital campaigns, to individuals, or for projects outside the United States. These are instructions from the 2020 filing and should not be treated as current application guidance. A separate grant-program description labels the Milbank Foundation Grant active and lists current priorities, but the filing record shows no filing since 2020.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing listed Jeremiah M. Bogert as chairman and secretary; Jeremiah M. Bogert Jr. as director; Jeremiah Milbank III as president and treasurer; Chris Olander as assistant secretary; Carl Helstrom as executive director and assistant treasurer; Rev. Terence Elsberry as director; and Millicent Bogert as director.
The Milbank Foundation is led by Carl Helstrom See Footnote, Executive Director & Assistant Treasurer on the 2020 filing; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2020 is compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Carl Helstrom See Footnote
Executive Director & Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremiah Milbank III
President & Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeremiah M. Bogert
Chairman & Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremiah M. Bogert Jr.
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Millicent Bogert
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terence Elsberry
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Olander
Assistant Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
10 hrs/week
$24K (2020)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $24K, to Chris Olander (Asst Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about The Milbank Foundation
How much does The Milbank Foundation give each year?
The Milbank Foundation gave $1.7M across 23 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Milbank Foundation's typical grant size?
The Milbank Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $50,000, and its average grant was $72,791, across 23 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Milbank Foundation give grants?
The Milbank Foundation's top state is New York, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Connecticut (24%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does The Milbank Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 96% of The Milbank Foundation's 2020 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Milbank Foundation's largest grantees?
The Milbank Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Yale Cancer Center ($400,000), Center to Advance Palliative Care ($150,000) and State Policy Network ($125,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
How large is The Milbank Foundation?
The Milbank Foundation reported $24.9M in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does The Milbank Foundation fund?
The grant-program description lists priorities that include community-based initiatives promoting independence for people with disabilities, veterans’ rehabilitation and reintegration, services helping seniors age at home, patient-centered health care reforms, and programs addressing mental health, substance abuse, and suicide, especially among young people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Milbank Foundation?
The Milbank Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
How much is The Milbank Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, The Milbank Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Milbank Foundation's EIN?
The Milbank Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-5125050. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
Live grants for the work The Milbank Foundation funds
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