Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc is a public charity based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It mobilizes philanthropy and makes grants supporting equity for women and girls, with a focus on social change in the Greater Milwaukee area.
Key facts about Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
In short: Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc gave $191K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Wisconsin. 86% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-3514894
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $190,568
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- Average grant
- $13,612
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 86% first-time grantees (12 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $3,736,756
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The stated process begins with a preliminary application; applicants invited to proceed submit a full application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The listed 2026 preliminary application deadline was August 10, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 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 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$3.7M
+8.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$191K
+80.6% YoY
Grant Count
14
+40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+29.0% YoY
Is Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc open to new grantees?
86%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 14 grantees (86%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $13K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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
The organization’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to “activate philanthropy to advance equity for women.” Its website describes its mission as mobilizing philanthropy and fostering unity for gender equity, and identifies economic empowerment, leadership development, and education as its grantmaking focus areas.
The fund supports organizations pursuing social change—not service delivery alone—and says funded work should shift attitudes, behavior, or culture. Its stated impact indicators include changing how issues are understood, influencing behavior, increasing engagement, changing policies, or maintaining positions against inequitable change.
The 2024 filing describes support for area nonprofits and community convenings. Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of organizations receiving grants: Milwaukee Film says it works to entertain, educate, and engage the community through cinema; Sherman Phoenix Foundation says it builds inclusive and just economies for communities of color; and Hope House of Milwaukee says its mission is to end homelessness and create healthy communities.
The organization also offers the HER Scholarship for women over 35 returning to college. This is support for individual participants, rather than a grant program for outside organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the funder reported 14 grants totaling $190,568. Grants ranged from $5,500 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. Its application information describes grants as generally ranging from $5,000 to $25,000; the 2024 grant to Milwaukee Film exceeded that stated range.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $50,000 to Milwaukee Film, $25,000 to She Should Run, $20,000 to Milwaukee County Service Corps, $15,000 to Core El Centro, and $10,000 each to Convergence Resource Center, IndependenceFirst, Mount Mary University, and Sherman Phoenix Foundation. The filing lists each of these grants as general support.
The funder’s stated requirements include 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor, work advancing equity for women and girls, a social-change focus, and work in Greater Milwaukee. Requests may be for advocacy, programs, operations, or capital expenses; the funder also lists seed funding, capacity building, evaluation, projects, collaborations, and research among possible uses. Multi-year requests are entertained. It excludes endowments, debt reduction, fundraising events, scholarships, political campaigns, and programs promoting religious or sectarian activities, and makes grants to organizations rather than individuals.
The 2026 application process listed a preliminary application deadline of August 10, 2026, which has passed. The application information listed notification of invitations for September 2026, a full application due date to be determined in October 2026, applicant notifications during the week of December 14, 2026, and grant distribution in January 2027.
Review Cycle
The listed 2026 preliminary application deadline was August 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. This deadline has passed.
How to Apply
The stated process begins with a preliminary application; applicants invited to proceed submit a full application. The funder lists a 2026 preliminary application and overview, with materials available in PDF and Word formats. It usually has 8–12 grant partners annually.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
HER Scholarship Program
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
Amount
$3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Special Grants
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
WF Flash Grants
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The funder’s grant eligibility information specifies work in the Greater Milwaukee area. Its 2024 filing shows that 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 13% to Washington, D.C., 3% to North Carolina, and 3% to Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $84K (2021) to $191K (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $191K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Milwaukee Film Inc ($50K). Together the top 10 received $166K.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 49 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Film Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $50,000 |
| She Should Run Washington, DC | General Support | $25,000 |
| Milwaukee County Service Corps Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $20,000 |
| Core El Centro Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $15,000 |
| Convergence Resource Center Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Independencefirst Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Mount Mary University Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Sherman Phoenix Foundation Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Hope House of Milwaukee Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $8,000 |
| La Causa Foundation Inc Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $8,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,736,756 | $502,859 | $587,321 | $190,568 (14 grants) |
| 2023 | $3,456,865 | $372,598 | $560,342 | $105,500 (10 grants) |
| 2022 | $3,318,547 | $332,827 | $462,749 | $110,849 (9 grants) |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,736,756 | $3,456,865 | $3,318,547 |
| Revenue | $502,859 | $372,598 | $332,827 |
| Expenses | $587,321 | $560,342 | $462,749 |
| Net Investment Income | $143 | $150 | $30 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Monica Shah-Davidson, chair; Beth Odian, vice chair; Danila Danesi, treasurer; Uma Vandergrift, secretary; and directors Jerri Washington, Nicole Horvath, Alexandria Staubach, Nancy Peterson, Gillian Lester-George de Montesinos, and Cherie Harris.
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc is led by Lisa Ornek Attonito, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 23 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa Ornek Attonito
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $118K (2024)
Monica Shah-Davidson
Chair
Event Chair → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erika Sander
Director
Grants Advisory Committee Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerri Washington
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa McCord
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Horvath
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Muehlbauer
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sangeeta Edwin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashton Henry
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chandra Rodgers
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexandria Staubach
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cherie Harris
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Griselda Aldrete
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Peterson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Voss
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Moore
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gillian Lester-George De Montesinos
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judi Andrade
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kosana Stojcevic
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paige Hunt
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Odian
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Danila Danesi
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Uma Vandergrift
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Chris Grota (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Marilka Velez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sandy Cunningham (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Starla Thompson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Arlisia McHenry (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathy Schill (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kate Brejcha (2023) — Director
- Former: Donna Kleczka (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Felisa Parris (2020–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru jan 2022
- Former: Heidi Furlong (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Deb Roesner (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Julie Gorens-Winston (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Julie Ragland (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Barbara Drake (2020) — Director
- Former: Carla Munoz (2020) — Director
- Former: Cathy Seasholes (2020) — Director
- Former: Deborah Roesner (2020) — Director
- Former: Kareeda Chones-Aguam (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $118K, to Lisa Attonito (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 316 N Milwaukee St 215, Milwaukee, WI 53202-5831
Phone: (414) 290-7350
Frequently asked questions about Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc
How much does Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc give each year?
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc gave $191K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $106K across 10 grants.
What is Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's typical grant size?
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,612, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc that year got $14K on average.
Where does Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc give grants?
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (10 grants).
Does Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's largest grantees?
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Milwaukee Film Inc ($50,000), She Should Run ($25,000) and Milwaukee County Service Corps Inc ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc?
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc reported $3.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $503K.
What does Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc fund?
The organization’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to “activate philanthropy to advance equity for women.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc?
The stated process begins with a preliminary application; applicants invited to proceed submit a full application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's EIN?
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3514894. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc by hand.
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