Thomas J Rolfs Foundation
The Thomas J Rolfs Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashotah, Wisconsin. It makes cash donations to qualifying public charities and states that it does not engage in direct charitable activity.
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation at a glance
In short: Thomas J Rolfs Foundation gave $1.4M across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $72K), top state Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,373,000
- +21.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- -13.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $72,263
- +41.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $18,854,779
- +7.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (47% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Thomas J Rolfs Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The filing lists Theodore R Rolfs as the contact and requests a letter with substantiating financial records of the organization. Restrictions on awards: N/A.
- Contact
Application contact: Theodore R Rolfs
Mailing address: PO Box 70, Nashotah, WI 53058
Phone: (262) 369-5095
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thomas J Rolfs Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Notre Dame University ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 75 grants of 109 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, recipients in Wisconsin received 47% of grant dollars, those in Indiana received 22%, and those in Vermont received 20%. Recipients in Illinois received 5% and those in Oregon received 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Thomas J Rolfs Foundation gives
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 28% from 2022 to 2025. 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 (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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2023) to $1.9M (2022). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame University Notre Dame, IN | General Purposes | $300,000 |
| Burke Academy East Burke, VT | General Purposes | $275,000 |
| Marquette University Milwaukee, WI | General Purposes | $250,000 |
| Mowa West Bend, WI | General Purposes | $180,000 |
| The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Development Chicago, IL | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| Versiti Milwaukee, WI | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| Christo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee, WI | General Purposes | $48,000 |
| Kettle Moraine YMCA West Bend, WI | General Purposes | $30,000 |
| Southern Oregon Land Conservancy Ashland, OR | General Purposes | $30,000 |
| Avsc Aspen, CO | General Purposes | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,854,779 | $2,778,362 | $1,539,458 | $1,373,000 | 19 | $1,390,241 | $2,649,048 | $1,465,747 |
| 2024 | $17,621,979 | $1,428,691 | $1,265,588 | $1,126,010 | 22 | $1,139,100 | $1,285,085 | $1,413,549 |
| 2023 | $17,478,502 | $827,416 | $1,141,592 | $1,005,500 | 19 | $1,181,992 | $689,374 | $1,286,302 |
| 2022 | $17,867,075 | $425,783 | $2,177,525 | $1,919,000 | 21 | $2,098,149 | $323,352 | $1,340,387 |
| 2021 | $19,585,490 | $2,137,055 | $1,601,542 | $1,396,000 | 28 | $1,524,686 | $1,992,775 | $1,492,135 |
| 2020 | $19,051,897 | $1,083,007 | $1,515,802 | $1,371,000 | 1 | — | $957,531 | $1,263,747 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas J Rolfs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M 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 states that its sole purpose is making cash donations to qualifying public charities. Its grants have supported organizations with varied missions. For example, Marquette University describes its mission as a Catholic, Jesuit education focused on truth, excellence, faith, and service. Southern Oregon Land Conservancy says it works to conserve and enhance land in Southern Oregon, while Kettle Moraine YMCA describes its work as building a healthy spirit, mind, and body through programs open to all.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 19 grants totaling $1,373,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest grants included $300,000 to Notre Dame University, $275,000 to Burke Academy, $250,000 to Marquette University, and $180,000 to MOWA; each was listed for general purposes. Other grants included $50,000 to The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Development, $50,000 to Versiti, and $48,000 to Christo Rey Jesuit High School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Claire L Rolfs as president, Thomas J Rolfs Jr as vice president, Theodore R Rolfs as secretary/treasurer, and Janet M Storr as director.
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation is led by Claire L. Rolfs, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Claire L. Rolfs
President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Janet M. Storr
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Theodore R. Rolfs
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Thomas J. Rolfs Jr.
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $0 (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $15K, to Claire L Rolfs (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Thomas J Rolfs Foundation
How much does Thomas J Rolfs Foundation give each year?
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation gave $1.4M across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 22 grants.
What is Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's typical grant size?
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $72,263, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Thomas J Rolfs Foundation give grants?
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's top state is Wisconsin, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Indiana (22%) and Vermont (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were West Bend, WI (5 grants) and Milwaukee, WI (3 grants).
Does Thomas J Rolfs Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's largest grantees?
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Notre Dame University ($300,000), Burke Academy ($275,000) and Marquette University ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas J Rolfs Foundation?
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation reported $18.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (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 Thomas J Rolfs Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its sole purpose is making cash donations to qualifying public charities. Its grants have supported organizations with varied missions. For example, Marquette University describes its mission as a Catholic, Jesuit education focused on truth, excellence, faith, and service. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas J Rolfs Foundation?
The foundation 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 Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's EIN?
Thomas J Rolfs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6043350. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Thomas J Rolfs Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Thomas J Rolfs Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-j-rolfs-foundation-morg_b6d545e3e118442b92fed23f633d11f8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396043350_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Thomas J Rolfs Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-j-rolfs-foundation-morg_b6d545e3e118442b92fed23f633d11f8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Thomas J Rolfs 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.
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