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Widen Family Foundation Inc

COTTAGE GROVE, WI EIN: 87-2976602 Website

Widen Family Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Founded in October 2021, the foundation operates as a family-led philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting nonprofits and charitable causes within its community. The foundation became tax-exempt in May 2022.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$9.5M

+3.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$512K

-6.9% YoY

Grant Count

45

+18.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$11K

-21.4% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission is supporting the community through charitable giving. The organization envisions a community where all members have the ability to fulfill their goals and create a life of purpose.

The foundation concentrates its grantmaking on three primary pillars:

Education — Funding scholarship programs and initiatives that promote educational advancement. The foundation strives to enhance academic skills and support continued education for disadvantaged groups.

Small Business Support — Reducing barriers to opportunity by working with nonprofits that create and support entrepreneurship, recognizing that small business success is essential to community vitality.

Community Advocacy — Supporting safe and affordable housing initiatives, programs assisting with child welfare and basic needs, human services, and organizations that promote vibrant and diverse neighborhoods.

Grantmaking

The foundation also provided support for Van Hise Elementary School and Orchard Ridge School through clothing, supplies, and self-sufficiency support programs.

Grant Range

s:** Typical awards range from $2,000 to $100,000.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily works in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Minnesota. Within Wisconsin, the foundation has supported organizations in Madison, Milwaukee, and the greater Dane County area. The foundation also supports organizations in other U.S. cities and states including Cincinnati, Arizona, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Cities

CincinnatiCottage GroveElkhornFitchburgLouisvilleMadisonMarshallMiddletonMilwaukeeMononaPalmyraScottsdaleSt PaulSt PetersburgStoughtonSun PrairieVeronaWatertownWest AllisWest Jefferson

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Total Assets: $9,526,352 (as of 2024)

Annual Giving: $512,300 (2024)

Revenue: $546,333 (2024)

Expenses: $594,509 (2024)

Net Income: -$48,176 (2024)

The foundation's assets have remained relatively stable, with total assets of $9,195,365 reported in 2023.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$3M$6M$8M$11M2021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$9,526,352$9,195,365$8,603,833
Revenue$546,333$208,046$-63,082
Expenses$594,509$631,169$620,060
Qualifying Distributions$512,300$550,150$520,067
Net Investment Income$387,477$122,272$43,215
Distributable Amount$469,096$438,183$452,297

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$138K$275K$413K$550K10 grants202127 grants202238 grants202345 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE MADISON$30KLOGAN'S HEART AND SMILES$30KRIVER FOOD PANTRY INC$30KBADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NET…$25KEAST MADISON COMMUNITY C…$25KSPECIALTY CARE FREE CLINIC$25KWAYFORWARD RESOURCES$25KYADA PROJECT$25KBLACK MAN COALITION FOUN…$20KSUNSHINE PLACE INC$20K

Grant Size Distribution

120 grants across all recorded years

112<$50K7$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Widen Family Foundation Inc

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors with no paid staff:

  • Leanne Widen — President
  • Reed Widen — Founder
  • Jenna Vial — Vice President
  • Ali Widen — Secretary
  • Jesse Widen — Treasurer
  • Cody Vial — Treasurer
  • Steve Vial — Advisor
  • Barb Beckett — Advisor

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
LEANNE WIDENPRESIDENT/DIRECTOR0.5
REED WIDENDIRECTOR0.5
JESSE WIDENTREASURER/DIRECTOR0.5
JENNA VIALVICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR0.5
ALLISON WIDENSECRETARY/DIRECTOR5
CODY VIALTREASURER/DIRECTOR0.5
SAM BAXTERDIRECTOR0.5

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

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

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