The Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF) is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin. It fosters the vitality of rural Wisconsin, primarily by promoting educational opportunities and supporting scholarships and related programs for rural Wisconsin students.
Key facts about Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim
In short: Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim gave $219K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Indiana. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 39-0857592
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $219,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- Average grant
- $8,760
- Median grant
- $4,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (6 of 23, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $6,454,480
- Primary geography
- Indiana (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- WROF states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2026–2027 Premier Scholarship application was available from January 5, 2026, through 11:59 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.5M
+5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$219K
-0.9% YoY
Grant Count
25
-28.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+38.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim reported a distributable amount of $307K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 23 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 87% 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 (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
WROF states that it fosters the vitality of rural Wisconsin. Its educational awards support students pursuing post-secondary studies in agriculture and natural resources, technical and vocational fields, nursing and medicine, and other fields intended to support rural communities. Its veterinary medicine externship program, in partnership with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, supports food-animal veterinary students seeking externship experience at participating Wisconsin clinics.
In its 2024 filing, WROF also described providing loans to University of Wisconsin–Madison veterinary students, with a portion forgiven for each year after graduation that a student practices in Wisconsin focusing on large animals. It reported making a contribution to a donor-advised fund used to support higher education for students from rural Wisconsin.
Among its 2025 recipients, the University of Wisconsin–Platteville described its mission as supporting student organizations and campus activities. Edgewood University described its work as educating students for meaningful personal and professional lives of ethical leadership and service. The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Foundation described its primary mission as stewarding private funds for the benefit of the university and contributing to academic excellence.
Grantmaking
WROF reported 25 grants totaling $219,000 in 2025. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $126,000, with a median of $4,000. The largest listed award was $126,000 to US Charitable Gift Trust in Indianapolis, for scholarships. Other notable awards included $10,000 to AABP for scholarships; $10,000 to the University of Wisconsin–River Falls; $8,000 each to the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing and the University of Wisconsin–Platteville; and $6,000 to the University of Wisconsin–Madison CALS. The listed university awards and other named awards were for scholarships.
WROF’s Premier Scholarship Awards Program offers scholarships to eligible rural Wisconsin high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education in Wisconsin and planning to return to rural Wisconsin after graduation. For the 2026–2027 program, WROF announced seven awards of $3,000 each. Eligibility requirements include at least two years of residence in rural Wisconsin, financial need, and pursuit of a field supporting rural communities, such as agriculture, healthcare, large-animal veterinary care, environmental studies, or sustainable practices. Applicants must submit two recommendation letters with the application, which must be completed in one session. For other WROF scholarships, the foundation directs applicants to contact the educational institution.
Review Cycle
The 2026–2027 Premier Scholarship application was available from January 5, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. on March 6, 2026.
How to Apply
WROF states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Individuals seeking WROF scholarships should contact the relevant educational institution; Premier Scholarship applicants apply through the program’s application process.
Ready to take the next step with Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WROF describes its work as supporting rural Wisconsin. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana (58%), Wisconsin (38%), and Ohio (5%); percentages are rounded.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $166K (2023) to $250K (2021). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $219K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was US Charitable Gift Trust ($126K). Together the top 10 received $188K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($6,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 134 grants of 139 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| US Charitable Gift Trust Indianapolis, IN | Scholarships | $126,000 |
| Aabp Ashland, OH | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| University of Wisconsin River Falls River Falls, WI | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Univeristy of Wisconsin Madison School of Nursing Madison, WI | Scholarships | $8,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Platteville Platteville, WI | Scholarships | $8,000 |
| University of Wisconisn Madison - Cals Madison, WI | Scholarships | $6,000 |
| Professional Dairy Producers Foundation Juneau, WI | Scholarships | $5,500 |
| Edgewood College Madison, WI | Scholarships | $5,000 |
| Rural Summer Science Camp - Warf Madison, WI | Scholarships | $5,000 |
| 3 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $6,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $219,000 | 25 |
| 2024 | $220,900 | 35 |
| 2023 | $165,500 | 29 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,454,480 | $6,148,040 | $5,685,717 |
| Revenue | $309,350 | $434,418 | $135,917 |
| Expenses | $315,685 | $311,421 | $244,973 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $267,255 | $272,290 | $212,647 |
| Net Investment Income | $246,825 | $376,197 | $84,776 |
| Distributable Amount | $306,875 | $277,770 | $263,852 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 29, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joan Behr as president; James Caldwell as vice president; Pat Duffy as secretary; and Sam Miller as treasurer. It lists Michelle Livanos as marketing director and Charles Crave, Aliesha Crowe, Jerry Gaska, Brett Renk, and Sue Schultz as directors. WROF’s website identifies Marcy Heim as executive director.
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim is led by Marcy Heim, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marcy Heim
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$20K (2021) → $37K (2025)
Joan Behr
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brett Renk
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Crave
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Gaska
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aliesha Crowe
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Livanos
Marketing Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Schultz
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Caldwell
Vice President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pat Duffy
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sam Miller
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mary Elvekrog (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Mary Elverkorg (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Daryll Lund (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $37K, to Marcy Heim (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 2679 Fahey Glen, Madison, WI 53711
Phone: (608) 772-6577
Website: https://www.wrof.org
Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim
How much does Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim give each year?
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim gave $219K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $221K across 35 grants.
What is Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's typical grant size?
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's median grant in 2025 was $4,000, and its average grant was $8,760, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim that year got $2K on average.
Where does Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim give grants?
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim gives mostly in Indiana: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (7 grants).
Does Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (25 grants).
Who are Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's largest grantees?
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's largest 2025 grantees include US Charitable Gift Trust ($126,000), Aabp ($10,000) and University of Wisconsin River Falls ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($6,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim?
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim reported $6.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $267K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $307K (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 Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim fund?
WROF states that it fosters the vitality of rural Wisconsin. Its educational awards support students pursuing post-secondary studies in agriculture and natural resources, technical and vocational fields, nursing and medicine, and other fields intended to support rural communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim?
WROF states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's EIN?
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-0857592. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Attention Marcy Heim accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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