The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin. Established in 1949 by business leader and former Wisconsin Governor Oscar Rennebohm, it makes grants for projects benefiting the Greater Madison community, with a focus on education, health care, human services, and research.
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc gave $3.2M across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $85K), mostly in Wisconsin. 57% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,153,223
- +0.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $85,222
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $49,170,850
- +2.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 57% first-time grantees (21 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. It asks applicants to submit a brief Letter of Inquiry through its online application portal; its website also recommends contacting the President before submitting to confirm that a request meets the requirements. The foundation reviews materials several times during the year. Eligible applicants are public charitable organizations recognized under IRC section 501(c)(3) and sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). The filing says grants are for operating organizations working in, and projects benefiting, the Greater Madison community. The website says it does not fund grants to individuals, event sponsorships or ticket purchases, sports programs, endowments, political action committees or lobbying; arts and culture organizations are considered only case by case. Multiyear commitments may be considered.
- Review Cycle
- Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time; the filing also states there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time; the filing also states there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Jennifer Jeffress President
Mailing address: PO Box 5187, Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 492-4282
Website: https://rennebohmfoundation.org
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 Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc
Who The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Center for Black Excellence and Culture ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 61 grants of 142 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s application materials specify Madison or Dane County, and the 2025 filing describes eligible work as operating in and benefiting the Greater Madison community. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to Wisconsin recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
57%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 21 of 37 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $99K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $85K first-time, $65K repeat.
- 38% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2019) to $3.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Black Excellence and Culture Madison, WI | Community | $300,000 |
| Madison Public Library Madison, WI | Education | $300,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Wren Somph Madison, WI | Education | $200,000 |
| Uw Madison School of Education Madison, WI | HEALTH | $191,790 |
| Combat Blindness Madison, WI | HEALTH | $150,000 |
| Centro Hispano of Dane County Madison, WI | Community | $135,000 |
| MTZ Charitable Organization Madison, WI | Community | $125,100 |
| University of Wisconsin School of Nursing Madison, WI | Education | $125,000 |
| University of Wisconsin - Prison Education Initiative Madison, WI | Education | $120,000 |
| Access Community Health Madison, WI | HEALTH | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,170,850 | $4,953,581 | $3,911,120 | $3,153,223 | 37 | $3,437,098 | $4,620,733 | $3,616,897 |
| 2024 | $48,105,225 | $5,666,864 | $3,826,699 | $3,151,426 | 36 | $3,361,737 | $5,370,667 | $3,299,127 |
| 2023 | $46,287,419 | $3,330,598 | $3,201,128 | $2,536,443 | 27 | $3,075,410 | $3,088,082 | $3,024,873 |
| 2022 | $46,505,504 | $3,558,607 | $3,602,000 | $2,805,358 | 19 | $3,106,451 | $3,249,608 | $3,052,164 |
| 2021 | $46,102,861 | $6,434,479 | $3,558,179 | $2,941,732 | 23 | $3,193,207 | $6,162,007 | $3,424,196 |
| 2020 | $43,116,856 | $3,086,077 | $3,113,813 | $2,553,954 | 23 | — | $2,613,062 | $2,876,040 |
| 2019 | $42,869,719 | $2,182,005 | $3,093,380 | $2,497,424 | 24 | — | $1,987,105 | $2,798,466 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.6M for 2025 — 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 aim is to support education, health care, research, and human services to improve quality of life in the Madison area. It supports projects and building projects, and its application guidance says requests should benefit the Greater Madison community.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of work supported. For example, MTZ Charitable Organization describes programs serving youth, older adults, and underserved populations in areas including education, mental health, wellness, and nutrition security. AgeBetter says it works to enhance older people’s health, wellness, independence, and quality of life. JustDane describes its mission as standing with people in need in Dane County and working together for social change.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $3,153,223. Grant amounts ranged from $4,000 to $300,000, with a median of $75,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $300,000 each to the Center for Black Excellence and Culture for community purposes and Madison Public Library for education; $200,000 to the University of Wisconsin Wren SOMPH for education; and $191,790 to UW–Madison School of Education for health. Other examples include $150,000 to Combat Blindness for health, $135,000 to Centro Hispano of Dane County for community purposes, and $100,000 each to Access Community Health and Brairpatch Youth Services for health.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jennifer L. Jeffress is listed as President on the 2025 filing. The foundation’s website says Sheila Conroy and Rich Lynch joined the Board of Directors on January 1, 2026, succeeding Curt Hastings and Steven F. Skolaski, who retired.
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc is led by Jennifer L. Jeffress, President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); all 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer L. Jeffress
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$20K (2022) → $183K (2025)
Noble L. Wray
Chair
Director → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $13K (2025)
Gary L. Schaefer
Director
Vice President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Mary W. Gulbrandsen
Director
Assistant Secretary → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Steven F. Skolaski
Director
President → Former President & Director, 2023
Former President & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$175K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Margaret Prestigiacomo
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
$10K (2025)
Curtis F. Hastings
Secretary
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Gary J. Wolter
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Kim M. Sponem (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Nobel L. Wray (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Patrick E. Coyle (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $183K, to Jennifer L Jeffress (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc
How much does The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc give each year?
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc gave $3.2M across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.2M across 36 grants.
What is The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $75,000, and its average grant was $85,222, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc that year got $99K on average.
Where does The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc give grants?
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (37 grants).
Does The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community" (21 grants), "Health" (11 grants) and "Education" (4 grants).
Who are The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Center for Black Excellence and Culture ($300,000), Madison Public Library ($300,000) and University of Wisconsin Wren Somph ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc?
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc reported $49.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to support education, health care, research, and human services to improve quality of life in the Madison area. It supports projects and building projects, and its application guidance says requests should benefit the Greater Madison community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6039252. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 24, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-oscar-rennebohm-foundation-inc-morg_6c2c1b36eee64b5aa2babd4c6c79be0b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396039252_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-oscar-rennebohm-foundation-inc-morg_6c2c1b36eee64b5aa2babd4c6c79be0b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc'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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