Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to the administration of justice. Established in 1986, WisTAF works with civil legal aid organizations throughout Wisconsin to increase access to justice by overseeing funds and investing in services and projects that help people solve their legal problems.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
+72.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.8M
-2.0% YoY
Grant Count
25
-10.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$352K
+9.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
WisTAF was established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to address a critical gap in the justice system: the Constitution does not guarantee an attorney in civil cases. The foundation operates on the principle that justice should not depend on how much money a person makes.
Since its founding, WisTAF has administered more than $87 million in civil legal aid grants. The foundation's work recognizes that when people lack access to legal representation, families and communities suffer, courts become less efficient, clients' livelihoods and safety are at stake, and taxpayers must provide alternative supports such as police and emergency room services.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Nonprofit Human Services
- Human and Social Service Grants
- Poverty Alleviation Grants
- Community Health Grants
Grantmaking
WisTAF administers two primary grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wisconsin
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $9,227,968
- Total Annual Giving: $8,796,804
- Annual Revenue: $9,893,519
- Employees: 3-4 staff members
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,227,968 | $5,336,577 | $3,979,939 |
| Revenue | $11,121,008 | $10,915,116 | $3,801,162 |
| Expenses | $9,537,130 | $9,645,334 | $4,721,009 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $193,446 | $160,101 | $37,773 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
123 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Legal Action of Wisconsin ($4,720,823), Wisconsin Judicare Inc Dba Judicare Legal Aid ($985,320), Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee ($540,729).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $4,720,823 |
| WISCONSIN JUDICARE INC DBA JUDICARE LEGAL AID WAUSAU, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $985,320 |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $540,729 |
| ABC FOR HEALTH MADISON, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $420,509 |
| DISABILITY RIGHTS WISCONSIN MONONA, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $304,479 |
| KIDS MATTER INC MILWAUKEE, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $334,788 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $196,850 |
| CENTRO LEGAL POR DERECHOS HUMANOS MILWAUKEE, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $128,872 |
| CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL & DOMESTIC ABUSE SUPERIOR, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $90,907 |
| PORTAGE COUNTY LEGAL AID SOCIETY STEVENS POINT, WI | CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES | $45,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HON JOANNE KLOPPENBURG | CHAIRPERSON (THRU 06/24) | 0.5 | — |
| JERRY VANG | VICE CHAIRPERSON (THRU 06/24) | 0.5 | — |
| MICHELLE KNUTSON | TREASURER (THRU 06/24) | 0.5 | — |
| TIM SEIDEL | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BASIL BUCHKO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GLENN DAHL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HON SANDRA GIERNOTH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HON RACHEL GRAHAM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HON SHELLY GROGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROCHELLE JOHNSON-BENT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOSHUA KINDKEPPEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEANNE KOLL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEANGELA MONIQUE LUNA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNA MUNOZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TIMOTHY RADELET | DIRECTOR (THRU 06/24) | 0.5 | — |
| JAMIE SCHAEFER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHUCK STERTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ATTY APRIL TOY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MITCH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REBECCA MURRAY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $162,970 |
| JEFFREY BROWN | GRANTS PROGRAM MANAGER | 40 | $101,431 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WisTAF's Board has made 2025 Direct Legal Services grant awards. The foundation has also conducted multiple rounds of Legal Aid Advancement Grants, including second and third-round awards in recent grant cycles.
Direct Legal Services and Legal Aid Advancement grantsThe foundation is actively recruiting, with a Program Coordinator position (half-time professional role) available.
Contact Information
- Address: 825 Williamson Street, Suite A, Madison, WI 53703
- Phone: 608-257-6845 or 877-749-5045
- Fax: 608-257-2684 or 877-223-7377
- Email: service@wistaf.org
- Website: wistaf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc fund?
WisTAF was established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to address a critical gap in the justice system: the Constitution does not guarantee an attorney in civil cases. The foundation operates on the principle that justice should not depend on how much money a person makes. Since its founding, WisTAF has administered more than $87 million in civil legal aid grants. The foundation's work recognizes that when people lack access to legal representation, families and communities suffer, courts become…
How do I apply for a grant from Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc?
WisTAF administers two primary grant programs: **Direct Legal Services Grants** - Supporting civil legal aid organizations in Wisconsin **Legal Aid Advancement Grants** - Funding for legal aid advancement initiatives Based on the most recent financial data available, WisTAF distributed $8,796,804 in total giving, with typical grant awards ranging from $11,176 to $4,780,473. The foundation manages the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, which generates funding for civil legal ai…
Where does Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc make grants?
Wisconsin
What size grants does Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc awarded 25 grants totaling $8.8M — an average of about $352K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1555465. 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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