The Wisconsin Foundation
The Wisconsin Foundation is a private foundation, based in Middleton, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $247K.
The Wisconsin Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wisconsin Foundation gave $247K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $49K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $247,195
- +603.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $49,439
- +1307.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $3,631,462
- +1794.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Wisconsin Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Town of Westport ($231K). Together the top 5 received $247K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 22 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wisconsin Foundation gives
- Giving grew 17557% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2021) to $247K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $247K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Westport Waunakee, WI | Sponsor Purchase of Playground Equipment | $231,195 |
| Young America's Foundation Reston, VA | Lisa Bueston Student Endowment Fund | $10,000 |
| Uw Foundation Madison, WI | Designation of Gift to Crowe Fund | $5,000 |
| Door County Land Trust Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Support | $500 |
| Fond Blanc Foundation Middleton, WI | General Support | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,631,462 | $260,636 | $303,540 | $247,195 | 5 | $302,075 | — | $5,149 |
| 2023 | $191,690 | $80,611 | $69,131 | $35,119 | 10 | $67,505 | — | $25,145 |
| 2022 | $164,407 | $215,067 | $72,658 | $51,150 | 5 | $58,928 | $17 | $1,810 |
| 2021 | $16,565 | $7,410 | $8,293 | $1,400 | 2 | $8,293 | — | $819 |
| 2020 | $17,242 | $12,000 | $973 | — | — | — | — | $838 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wisconsin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wisconsin Foundation is led by Terrence R. Wall, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Terrence R. Wall
President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Koch
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
F. Taylor Brengel
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Degroot
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Wisconsin Foundation
How much does The Wisconsin Foundation give each year?
The Wisconsin Foundation gave $247K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $35K across 10 grants.
What is The Wisconsin Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wisconsin Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $49,439, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wisconsin Foundation give grants?
The Wisconsin Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Wisconsin Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of The Wisconsin Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wisconsin Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wisconsin Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Town of Westport ($231,195), Young America's Foundation ($10,000) and Uw Foundation ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Wisconsin Foundation?
The Wisconsin Foundation reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $302K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Wisconsin Foundation's EIN?
The Wisconsin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2540887. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Wisconsin Foundation funds
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