The Vinger Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Milwaukee, WI EIN: 39-6700438

The Vinger Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In its 2025 filing, it reported giving $111,000 to 10 organizations, including support for medical, community, educational, cultural, and youth-related organizations.

The Vinger Family Foundation at a glance

In short: The Vinger Family Foundation gave $111K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), top state Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$111,000
+167.5% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
10
-16.7% vs 2024
Average grant
$11,100
+221.0% vs 2024
Median grant
$7,500
Total assets
$4,477,687
+43.2% vs 2024
Primary geography
Wisconsin (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.

How to apply to The Vinger Family Foundation

How to Apply

The foundation’s 2024 filing says applications should be submitted in writing with proof of the organization’s exempt status. It states there are no restrictions on awards, though preference may be given to organizations serving southwestern Wisconsin.

Review Cycle
The 2024 filing says applications should be submitted before the fall meeting in October or November. That filing’s application cycle is past; no current deadline is provided.
Deadline
The 2024 filing says applications should be submitted before the fall meeting in October or November.
Contact

Application contact: The Vinger Family Foundation
Mailing address: 10361 W Innovation Drive 350, Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: (414) 203-8040

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Vinger Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2025

Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundati: $45KGundersen Lutheran MedicalFoundati$45KRoyal Family Kids' Camp: $15KRoyal Family Kids' Camp$15KShelburne Museum: $10KShelburne Museum$10KShelburne Farms: $10KShelburne Farms$10KEvergreen Cemetery: $10KEvergreen Cemetery$10KCharlotte Volunteer Fire Rescue SVS: $5KCharlotte Volunteer FireRescue SVS$5KUw-Lacrosse Foundation: $5KUw-Lacrosse Foundation$5KCoyotes Amateur Hockey Association: $5KCoyotes Amateur HockeyAssociation$5KNational Society of the Deaf: $2KNational Society of the Deaf$2K

The largest 2025 recipient was Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundati ($45K). Together the top 9 received $107K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($4,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

62 grants across all recorded years

62<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 62 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2024 filing notes a preference for organizations serving southwestern Wisconsin. In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin (49%), Vermont (23%), Georgia (14%), Illinois (9%), and Arizona (5%).

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

La CrosseScottsdaleShelburneCharlotteFayettevilleRutlandEssex JunctionMelroseBarringtonCoon RapidsPhoenixSarasotaSilver Spign

How The Vinger Family Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 178% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 67% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K9 grants2020 15 grants2021 12 grants2022 13 grants2023 12 grants2024 10 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $34K (2020) to $111K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $111K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundati La Crosse, WIGeneral Operating Support$45,000
Royal Family Kids' Camp Fayetteville, GAGeneral Operating Support$15,000
Shelburne Museum Shelburne, VTGeneral Operating Support$10,000
Shelburne Farms Shelburne, VTGeneral Operating Support$10,000
Evergreen Cemetery Barrington, ILGeneral Operating Support$10,000
Charlotte Volunteer Fire Rescue SVS Charlotte, VTGeneral Operating Support$5,000
Uw-Lacrosse Foundation Lacrosse, WIGeneral Operating Support$5,000
Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association Scottsdale, AZGeneral Operating Support$5,000
1 individual scholarship Recipients not named —$4,000
National Society of the Deaf Silver Spign, MDGeneral Operating Support$2,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Vinger Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$4,477,687$1,319,759$162,875$111,00010$126,089$261,067$187,685
2024$3,127,561$1,160,070$79,663$41,50012$53,739$107,705$130,648
2023$1,953,981$1,087,733$52,433$36,00013$43,467$36,690$50,046
2022$767,292$-3,954$51,934$40,00012$45,365$11,079$41,313
2021$959,063$54,011$52,205$41,10015$46,156$47,962$46,575
2020$913,112$-721$58,741$34,0009—$4,960$41,433

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Vinger Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $188K 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 general operating support and a scholarship grant. Among its grantees, Shelburne Farms describes its mission as inspiring and cultivating learning for a sustainable future; Shelburne Museum describes its mission as providing an engaging, creative, and educational museum experience. The Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association says it promotes ice hockey and sportsmanlike conduct and provides youth activities, including opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 10 grants totaling $111,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median grant of $7,500. Its largest grants were $45,000 to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation and $15,000 to Royal Family Kids’ Camp, both for general operating support. It also awarded $10,000 each to Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, and Evergreen Cemetery, all for general operating support.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists David Stickler, Kayla Vinger, Christopher A. Vinger, Eric A. Vinger, Kelly Vinger, Doris Vinger, and Caden J. Vinger as trustees.

The Vinger Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 7 officers; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Christopher A. Vinger

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Doris Vinger

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Eric A. Vinger

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Kelly Vinger

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • David Stickler

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    No compensation reported

  • Caden J. Vinger

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Kayla Vinger

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Donald Vinger (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Norma J. Vinger (2020) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Vinger Family Foundation

How much does The Vinger Family Foundation give each year?

The Vinger Family Foundation gave $111K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $42K across 12 grants.

What is The Vinger Family Foundation's typical grant size?

The Vinger Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $11,100, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Vinger Family Foundation give grants?

The Vinger Family Foundation's top state is Wisconsin, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Vermont (23%) and Georgia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lacrosse, WI (2 grants) and Shelburne, VT (2 grants).

Does The Vinger Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 90% of The Vinger Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The Vinger Family Foundation's largest grantees?

The Vinger Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundati ($45,000), Royal Family Kids' Camp ($15,000) and Shelburne Museum ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($4,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The Vinger Family Foundation?

The Vinger Family Foundation reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $126K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $188K (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 Vinger Family Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included general operating support and a scholarship grant. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Vinger Family Foundation?

The foundation’s 2024 filing says applications should be submitted in writing with proof of the organization’s exempt status. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Vinger Family Foundation's EIN?

The Vinger Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6700438. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 27, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 24, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 17, 2025)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 20, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

Live grants for the work The Vinger Family Foundation funds

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Vinger Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Tiller Family Foundation

Eagan, MN

The Tiller Family Foundation’s grants support a range of charitable organizations, including health, education, cultural, and community groups, with no stated foundation-wide mission. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $2,750, and mainly went to organizations in Minnesota and Vermont, as well as Arizona, Virginia, and Colorado. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Human Services

Assets

$1.4M

Grants

14

Total Given

$96K

Smith Russell & Vera Private Fdn

La Crosse, WI

The foundation funds education, humanitarian and community services, medical support, ministry, and annual campaigns, with a preferred focus on La Crosse County, Wisconsin; its 2025 grants went to Wisconsin organizations. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median of $5,000. It considers requests beyond preselected organizations; applicants should contact Darwin Isaacson with a letter describing their needs, exemption qualifications, and past qualifying activities.

Assets

$5.4M

Grants

32

Total Given

$279K

The Evslin Family Foundation Inc

Stowe, VT

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

Grants

2

Total Given

$29K

John & Kathy Reinhart Family Foundation

La Crosse, WI

The John & Kathy Reinhart Family Foundation supports organizations in areas including education, health care, youth services, food assistance, and local history, with most of its giving going to Wisconsin. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $33,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.0M

Grants

50

Total Given

$232K

The Doolittle Family Foundation

Atlantic Beach, FL

The Doolittle Family Foundation’s 2025 grants supported arts and music, conservation, research, youth and family services, and other charitable causes, with most funding going to Florida and additional grants in Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $150,000, though the median was $2,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.3M

Grants

13

Total Given

$271K

The Harvey & Ruth Gelfenbein Charitable Foundation Inc

Louisville, KY

The foundation’s 2023 grants supported other charitable foundations, along with organizations focused on environmental conservation, rainforest protection, and health; awards ranged from $100 to $704,982, with a median of $1,766. Most grant dollars went to Vermont and Kentucky, and the foundation says it has distributed all its assets and stopped grantmaking. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

—

Grants

15

Total Given

$1.7M

More similar funders

More Funders in Wisconsin

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Vinger Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-vinger-family-foundation-morg_b505eb2bce3e4794b9a010b95ef3b161

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396700438_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Vinger Family Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-vinger-family-foundation-morg_b505eb2bce3e4794b9a010b95ef3b161},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Vinger Family 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.

The Vinger Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?