Wipfli Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wausau, Wisconsin, established as a corporate foundation affiliated with Wipfli, a professional services firm. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since December 2006.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.3M
+3.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$259K
+32.4% YoY
Grant Count
51
-34.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+102.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wipfli Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $127K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Wipfli Foundation supports its parent firm's mission to create lasting, positive impact in communities through three primary programs:
University Support — The foundation's original focus, established in 2005 to support colleges and universities through scholarships, textbooks, capital campaigns, and endowed professorships. In 2020, the foundation expanded this program to include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, offering scholarships to interns demonstrating dedication to fostering inclusivity. The foundation also supports the Mary T. Wylie Scholarship for women in accounting and the National Association of Black Accountants leadership program.
Community Support — Launched in 2021, this program includes an associate matching program for charitable organizations. In 2023, a corporate social responsibility platform was implemented to facilitate employee giving, with over 75% of associates participating in philanthropy. The foundation frequently gifts funds to the platform for associates to direct to meaningful charitable organizations. This program expanded to international locations in 2024.
Grantmaking — A competitive grants program supporting nonprofits across various sectors, including education, health, and community development.
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts grant applications and has demonstrated significant growth in its grantmaking activity.
Grant Range
$10,000 to $25,000
Review Cycle
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with recent grant recipients located in Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, California, Montana, and Maine. The foundation also supports international locations through its community support program as of 2024.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (Most Recent Data):
- Total assets (2023): $2,217,307
- Total assets (2024): $2,300,000
- Total giving (2023): $195,855
- Total giving (2024): $259,000
- Revenue (2023): $1,150,000
- Total liabilities (2023): $0
- Giving rate (2024): 11.4% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,282,799 | $2,217,307 | $1,268,415 |
| Revenue | $338,354 | $1,151,126 | $377,288 |
| Expenses | $272,862 | $202,234 | $362,583 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $259,639 | $195,855 | $350,819 |
| Net Investment Income | $63,891 | $35,389 | $41,356 |
| Distributable Amount | $126,635 | $76,550 | $80,655 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
203 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Keenesaw State University ($22,000), University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Foundation ($14,000), University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Foundation ($14,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AICPA FOUNDATION DURHAM, NC | GENERAL FUNDING | $5,000 |
| BETA ALPHA PSI (COLORADO) BOULDER, CO | GENERAL FUNDING | $2,500 |
| BETA ALPHA PSI ZETA DELTA CHAPTER STATESBORO, GA | GENERAL FUNDING | $11,600 |
| CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL FUNDING | $1,500 |
| CARROLL COLLEGE WAUKESHA, WI | GENERAL FUNDING | $2,500 |
| CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY MORROW, GA | GENERAL FUNDING | $3,000 |
| COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FUND LAKEWOOD, CO | GENERAL FUNDING | $4,000 |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FORT COLLINS, CO | GENERAL FUNDING | $3,000 |
| CPA ENDOWMENT FUND OF ILLLINOIS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL FUNDING | $4,000 |
| GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION MILLEDGEVILLE, GA | GENERAL FUNDING | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kurt Gresens serves as Managing Partner at Wipfli and has been quoted as a spokesperson for the foundation regarding its mission and grant announcements.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DURWARD FERLAND | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| STEPHANIE CAVADEAS | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MARYPAT DAVITZ | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| JESSICA MACKLIN | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| AUDRA MONCUR | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| SHEREEN MAHONEY | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| SHELLY WORREL | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**20th Anniversary (2025):**
The Wipfli Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in May 2025, reflecting on significant milestones achieved since its establishment in May 2005. The foundation announced that its three programs will provide $1.1 million in community support in 2025, with total contributions exceeding $4.1 million since inception.
Wipfli Foundation announces 2025 grants and 20th anniversary | Wipfli**2025 Grant Announcements:**
In May 2025, the foundation announced its 2025 grant cycle, awarding $110,000 to six nonprofit organizations. The cycle received 139 applications with 74 different Wipfli associates nominating organizations.
Wipfli Foundation announces 2025 grants and 20th anniversary | Wipfli**2024 Inaugural Grantmaking:**
In July 2024, the foundation approved its first round of competitive grants, awarding $10,000 to $25,000 to six diverse nonprofits. This inaugural cycle received 324 applications with 93 different Wipfli associates nominating organizations.
Wipfli Foundation announces 2025 grants and 20th anniversary | WipfliSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wipfli Foundation Inc fund?
The Wipfli Foundation supports its parent firm's mission to create lasting, positive impact in communities through three primary programs: **University Support** — The foundation's original focus, established in 2005 to support colleges and universities through scholarships, textbooks, capital campaigns, and endowed professorships. In 2020, the foundation expanded this program to include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, offering scholarships to interns demonstrating dedicatio…
How do I apply for a grant from Wipfli Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts grant applications and has demonstrated significant growth in its grantmaking activity. **2025 Grant Cycle:** • Total awarded: $110,000 to six organizations • Applications received: 139 • Nominating associates: 74 • Recipients: Valley Packaging Industries, Inc. (Appleton, Wisconsin); Cancer Wellness Center (Northbrook, Illinois); Branford Food Pantry (Branford, Connecticut); Maya's Music Therapy Fund (Berkeley, California); Center for Warriors Foundation (East Helena, Mon…
Where does Wipfli Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with recent grant recipients located in Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, California, Montana, and Maine. The foundation also supports international locations through its community support program as of 2024.
What size grants does Wipfli Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Wipfli Foundation Inc awarded 51 grants totaling $259K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wipfli Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wipfli Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $127K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wipfli Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wipfli Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2901635. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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