The Robert and Susan Brown
The Robert and Susan Brown is a private foundation based in Neenah, Wisconsin. Its 2025 filing reports 51 grants totaling $388,500 to charitable organizations, including organizations working in areas such as food access, education, community services, and environmental learning.
The Robert and Susan Brown at a glance
In short: The Robert and Susan Brown gave $389K across 51 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state Wisconsin. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $388,500
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 51
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,618
- -2.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $24,341,882
- +389.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (6 of 51, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (33% 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 Robert and Susan Brown
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 201, Neenah, WI 54957
Phone: (920) 727-1137
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Robert and Susan Brown funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nancy's Project ($35K). Together the top 10 received $167K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($14,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 245 grants of 247 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to organizations in multiple states. Wisconsin received 33% of grant dollars, California 21%, Washington 14%, Colorado 7%, and Pennsylvania 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Robert and Susan Brown open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 51 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). 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 $300K (2019) to $392K (2022). In 2025 it made 51 grants totaling $389K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nancy's Project Monterey, CA | Unrestricted Use | $35,000 |
| Donors Choose Philadelphia, PA | Matching Funds for Rural WI Teacher Requests | $25,000 |
| Camp Kesem National Corvina, CA | Split Equally Between U-Maine & CSU Chapters | $20,000 |
| Glidden Area Development Corporation Glidden, WI | Unrestricted Use | $20,000 |
| I-Help Monterey Monterey, CA | Unrestricted Use | $14,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $14,000 |
| Food Bank for Larimer County Loveland, CO | Unrestricted Use | $13,000 |
| Aldo Leopold Nature Center Monona, WI | Unrestricted Use | $10,000 |
| Be Good Foundation Ketchum, ID | Unrestricted Use | $10,000 |
| Cap Services Stevens Point, WI | Unrestricted Use | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Robert and Susan Brown?
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 | $24,341,882 | $1,131,782 | $425,692 | $388,500 | 51 | $404,491 | $1,110,581 | $424,694 |
| 2024 | $4,974,842 | $217,759 | $432,199 | $389,700 | 50 | $406,359 | $198,194 | $381,784 |
| 2023 | $5,188,334 | $412,062 | $374,570 | $335,500 | 50 | $351,077 | $393,876 | $352,771 |
| 2022 | $5,150,706 | $343,303 | $432,265 | $391,500 | 48 | $407,638 | $324,235 | $365,216 |
| 2021 | $5,239,556 | $304,664 | $423,142 | $386,000 | 48 | $402,600 | $284,815 | $394,030 |
| 2020 | $5,358,034 | $182,065 | $343,828 | $311,000 | 55 | — | $164,985 | $336,530 |
| 2019 | $5,519,776 | $205,798 | $339,968 | $300,000 | 45 | — | $180,936 | $352,721 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert and Susan Brown reported a distributable amount of $425K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Nancy’s Project says it works to improve the health and well-being of Monterey County farm worker families by providing food, clothing, household goods, and enrichment items. CAP Services says its mission is to transform people and communities to advance social and economic justice, while Aldo Leopold Nature Center says it connects children with nature to support their well-being and environmental sustainability.
Other 2025 grantees describe work in education and student support. Monterey Peninsula College Foundation says it provides financial assistance to students and supports the college’s learning environment. Sunfield Education Association describes its work as Waldorf education, community outreach and education, and regenerative agriculture.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $388,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $35,000, with a median grant of $5,000. In 2024, it made 50 grants totaling $389,700; in 2023, it made 50 grants totaling $335,500.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $35,000 to Nancy’s Project for unrestricted use; $25,000 to Donors Choose for matching funds for rural Wisconsin teacher requests; $20,000 to Camp Kesem National to be split equally between its University of Maine and Colorado State University chapters; and $20,000 to Glidden Area Development Corporation for unrestricted use. Other grants included $14,000 to Monterey Peninsula College Foundation for its Evans College Incentive Program and $13,000 to Food Bank for Larimer County for unrestricted use.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following directors: Fredric L Hildebrand Jr, Jane W Brown, Dale R Nienow, Melinda S Brown, Richard P Inman, Daniel T Brown, Nancy J Brown, Sarah J Hildebrand, Thomas P Brown, and Rebecca Brown-Nienow.
The Robert and Susan Brown is led by Lauren Wallace, President & Director since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 22 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lauren Wallace
President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
Vice President & Director → President & Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Nienow
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Hildebrand
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale R. Nienow
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel T. Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fredric L. Hildebrand Jr.
Director
President & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry Hildebrand
Treasurer, Secretary & Director
Director → Treasurer, Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane W. Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melinda S. Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy J. Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Brown-Nienow
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard P. Inman
Director
Officer & Director → President & Director, 2022
President & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Ladwig
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah J. Hildebrand
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan E. Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Storch
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Nienow
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas P. Brown
Director
Treasurer, Secretary & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Storch
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Wallace
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Hallmark
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Elise Nienow (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Matthew Nienow (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Josh Hallmark (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.
Frequently asked questions about The Robert and Susan Brown
How much does The Robert and Susan Brown give each year?
The Robert and Susan Brown gave $389K across 51 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $390K across 50 grants.
What is The Robert and Susan Brown's typical grant size?
The Robert and Susan Brown's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,618, across 51 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Robert and Susan Brown that year got $13K on average.
Where does The Robert and Susan Brown give grants?
The Robert and Susan Brown's top state is Wisconsin, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (21%) and Washington (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Port Townsend, WA (8 grants), Appleton, WI (6 grants), North Adams, MA (3 grants) and Port Hadlock, WA (3 grants).
Does The Robert and Susan Brown give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of The Robert and Susan Brown's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (44 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Robert and Susan Brown's largest grantees?
The Robert and Susan Brown's largest 2025 grantees include Nancy's Project ($35,000), Donors Choose ($25,000) and Camp Kesem National ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($14,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert and Susan Brown?
The Robert and Susan Brown reported $24.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $404K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $425K (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 Robert and Susan Brown fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert and Susan Brown?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Robert and Susan Brown's EIN?
The Robert and Susan Brown's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0743538. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Robert and Susan Brown 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 24, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Robert and Susan Brown funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert and Susan Brown's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Robert and Susan Brown funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-susan-brown-morg_6af46a4cfed84e3d903231d1ea28e3db
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260743538_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Robert and Susan Brown funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-susan-brown-morg_6af46a4cfed84e3d903231d1ea28e3db},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Robert and Susan Brown'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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