US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation
The U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Appleton, Wisconsin. It supports self-sufficiency, community enrichment, and vulnerable populations, with grants intended to help disadvantaged communities, improve quality of life, and strengthen communities. The foundation’s website reports that it awarded more than $4.6 million in 2025.
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation at a glance
In short: US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation gave $5.8M across 208 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in Wisconsin. 52% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,805,950
- +34.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 208
- +34.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,913
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $5,361,239
- -12.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 52% first-time grantees (107 of 204, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Program applications are submitted online through the foundation’s application process. Sponsorship requests must be submitted by a participating U.S. Venture team member through the internal process. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The filing directs applicants to check the webpage for deadlines in January, April, August, and October; it does not provide specific dates.
- Deadline
- The filing directs applicants to check the webpage for deadlines in January, April, August, and October; it does not…
- Contact
Application contact: Applications Must Be Submitted Onli
Mailing address: 425 Better Way, Appleton, WI 54915
Phone: (920) 243-5806
Email: foundation@usventure.com
Website: https://usventure.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation
Who US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Victory Community Development Center ($800K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
664 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 566 grants of 664 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 67% of grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients, 4% to California, 3% to Illinois, and 3% to Colorado. The foundation’s filing says it generally considers organizations within the geographic footprint of U.S. Venture facilities and its team members. Among its 2024 grants were awards to organizations in Appleton, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and Wausau, Wisconsin, as well as Denver, Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 208 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation open to new grantees?
52%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 107 of 204 grantees (52%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 35% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 180% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $5.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 208 grants totaling $5.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Victory Community Development Center | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $800,000 |
| Kenya Works Inc Appleton, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $152,000 |
| The Building for Kids Inc Appleton, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $150,000 |
| Thompson Center on Lourdes Inc Appleton, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $125,000 |
| Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin Inc Milwaukee, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $121,500 |
| Pillars Inc Appleton, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $110,000 |
| Corpsgiving Foundation Denver, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $105,000 |
| Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Corporation Oshkosh, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $103,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wisconsin Inc Wausau, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $100,000 |
| Children's Hospital & Health Systems Foun Milwaukee, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation?
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 | $5,361,239 | $5,020,127 | $5,831,461 | $5,805,950 | 208 | $5,808,604 | $1,120,475 | $329,443 |
| 2023 | $6,140,245 | $4,855,647 | $4,359,637 | $4,325,315 | 155 | $4,327,988 | $223,998 | $320,495 |
| 2022 | $5,644,235 | $4,139,986 | $3,968,390 | $3,923,616 | 126 | $3,925,852 | $62,875 | $238,919 |
| 2021 | $5,472,639 | $2,768,226 | $2,106,250 | $2,071,909 | 94 | $2,073,809 | $801,084 | $306,930 |
| 2020 | $4,810,663 | $2,009,911 | $1,363,451 | $1,340,926 | 81 | — | $237,727 | $199,632 |
| 2019 | $4,164,203 | $1,667,346 | $1,900,919 | $1,868,873 | 90 | — | $224,312 | $250,505 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $329K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its mission as driving meaningful change by supporting self-sufficiency, community enrichment, and vulnerable populations. Its 2024 filing identifies impact areas including education, jobs and the economy, family support and social connectedness, physical health, psychological health and addiction, and human services.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of work supported. Kenya Works says it collaborates with Kenyan communities to reduce poverty and advance education, vocational skills, and financial literacy. Appleton’s Building for Kids says it uses intergenerational, play-based learning to inspire discovery and build resilience. Pillars says it provides shelter and support to address local housing needs, while COTS says it provides temporary shelter and basic needs to people experiencing homelessness in the Fox Valley.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 208 grants totaling $5,805,950. Awards ranged from $250 to $800,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Its website reports more than $4.6 million awarded in 2025.
The largest 2024 grant listed was $800,000 to Victory Community Development Center. Other notable awards included $152,000 to Kenya Works, $150,000 to The Building for Kids, $125,000 to Thompson Center on Lourdes, $121,500 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, and $110,000 to Pillars. These grants were listed as unrestricted charitable grants.
The foundation offers program grants and sponsorships. Its website describes program grants as supporting initiatives that empower disadvantaged communities and strengthen connections. Sponsorships are handled through the Community Engagement Committee, a subcommittee made up of team members and shareholders; requests must come from a participating team member. Sponsorship awards may be up to $35,000, though the program description says they typically do not exceed $10,000. The program-grant application information identifies public charities as eligible organizations.
Program requests are to be submitted online. The foundation’s filing says it considers requests demonstrating long-term results for a substantial number of people, clear missions and effective outcomes, organizational health, and support from a broad base of funders; it prefers not to be the sole funder of a project or program. The filing lists typical exclusions, including grants to individuals or families, political causes, requests for previously incurred expenses, and organizations outside the geographic footprint of U.S. Venture facilities and its team members.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amber Simonds as president, Dan Posanski as vice president, and Sarah Johannsen as treasurer. Listed board members are Greg Bongers, Mike Bongers, Bill Kessenich, Mike Koel, Kate Kessenich, Jose Mata, and Brett Wetzel.
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation is led by Amber Simonds, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 18 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amber Simonds
President
Treasurer → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Posanski
Vice President
Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Sharkey
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Kessenich
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brett Wetzel
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Bongers
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Vandenberg
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jimmy Schmidt
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jose Mata
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Kessenich
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Bongers
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Koel
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Johannsen
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Finkelstein
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Rhodes
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Parker Wolf
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sangeeta Edwin
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Springer
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Cristi Burnill (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Drew Jamison (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lyssa Schmidt (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Anholzer (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Paul Kubic (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Chuck Dauk (2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation
How much does US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation give each year?
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation gave $5.8M across 208 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.3M across 155 grants.
What is US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's typical grant size?
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $27,913, across 208 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation give grants?
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Appleton, WI (45 grants), Green Bay, WI (28 grants), Menasha, WI (13 grants) and Milwaukee, WI (9 grants).
Does US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (208 of 208) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's largest grantees?
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Victory Community Development Center ($800,000), Building for Kids ($160,000 across 2 grants) and Kenya Works Inc ($152,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation?
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation reported $5.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $329K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its mission as driving meaningful change by supporting self-sufficiency, community enrichment, and vulnerable populations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation?
Program applications are submitted online through the foundation’s application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's EIN?
US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1540933. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/us-ventureschmidt-family-foundation-morg_9a0cbd072eb94df88d2ca3fa9184a709
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391540933_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{US Ventureschmidt Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/us-ventureschmidt-family-foundation-morg_9a0cbd072eb94df88d2ca3fa9184a709},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 US Ventureschmidt 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.
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