Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory

Marquette University's Raynor Library annually publishes Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory. It is the only directory of its kind which covers every active grant making foundation in the state of Wisconsin. The foundation profiles include contact information, total assets, grants paid, and areas of interest. It is available in both print and online formats.

This is an archive of previous years of the directory. Foundations in Wisconsin is embargoed for three years before the full text is made available.

Check out the Statistical Overview of the latest edition.

The database is updated on a monthly basis.

For more information, please contact:
Marquette University Raynor Library
Funding Information Center
(414) 288-1515

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Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory (39th ed. 2020)

Mary C. Frenn, John Brick, Kelly Coughlin, Madeline Murphy, and Catherine Simmerer

The 2020 publication of Foundations in Wisconsin is the 39^th edition of the print directory and the 20^th year of the online database. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, and annual reports.

Wisconsin foundations showed continued growth in both the number of active foundations and, most especially, the total grants which are at an all-time high of $811 million. Additionally, 39 new foundations have been identified this year (see page 269 for the complete list).
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [38th ed. 2019]

Mary C. Frenn, Clare Casey, Madeline Murphy, Sareene Proodian, and Catherine Simmerer

The 2019 publication of Foundations in Wisconsin is the 38th edition of the print directory and the 19th year of the online database. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, and annual reports. Wisconsin foundations once again grew in two significant areas: grants and assets. Total grants increased by 6.4% to $803 million and total assets increased by 4% to 10.9 billion, both record highs. Additionally, 36 new foundations have been identified this year (see page 269 for the complete list).
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory (37th ed. 2018)

Mary C. Frenn, John Francis Brick, Clare Casey, Jeremy Cluth, Kathryn Hendrickson, Madeline Murphy, and Sareene Proodian

The 2018 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin is the 37th edition of the print directory and the 18th year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, and annual reports.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [36th ed. 2017]

Marquette University - Funding Information Center, John Brick, Mary Frenn, Brittany Carloni, Jeremy Cluth, Kathryn Hendrickson, Sarah Holland, and Davis Wetherell

The 2017 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin is the 36th production of the print directory and the 17th year of the web-based database (www.wifoundations.org) The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, and annual reports.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [35th ed. 2016]

Mary C. Frenn, John Brick, Brittany Carloni, Jeremy Cluth, Kathryn Hendrickson, Sarah Holland, Clare McNamara, Katie Murray, Catherine Simmerer, and Dominic Zappia

The 2016 release of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 35^th edition of the print directory and the 16^th edition of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, and annual reports.

This edition paints a very positive picture of financial growth for Wisconsin foundations. Both grant and asset totals have risen to all-time highs. Of particular note, total grants broke the $600 million barrier, increasing by 8% to $623 million. Additionally, 58 new foundations have been identified this year. (See page 269 for the complete list.) The following table illustrates the 10-year financial pattern as documented in Foundations in Wisconsin.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [34th ed. 2015]

Mary C. Frenn, Jason Bermender, David Glenn Butner Jr., Brittany Carloni, Clare McNamara, and Dominic Zappia

The 2015 release of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 34th production of the print directory and the 15th year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, annual reports, and newsletters.

Wisconsin foundations have shown significant growth in two key areas. Grant and asset totals have risen to to their highest recorded levels. Total grants increased by 5% to $579 million and assets by 17% to $9.5 billion. Additionally, 58 new foundations have been identified this edition. (See page 271 for the complete list.)
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [33rd ed. 2014]

Mary C. Frenn, Katie M. Barnhart, Brittany Carloni, Hilary Dabney, Alyssa Gruber, and Jakob K. Rinderknecht

The 2014 release of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 33^rd edition of the print directory and the 14^th year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, annual reports, and newsletters.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [32nd ed. 2013]

Mary C. Frenn, Katie M. Barnhart, Victoria Browne, Anne M. Carpenter, Melanie Pauly, and Jakob K. Rinderknecht

The 2013 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 32nd production of the print directory and the 13th year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, annual reports, and newsletters.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [31st ed. 2012]

Mary C. Frenn, Anne M. Carpenter, Nathan Lunsford, Sarah Martin, Jakob K. Rinderknecht, Claire Seigworth, and Joseph Torchedlo

The 2012 release of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 31st edition of the print directory and the twelfth year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters.

Fortunately, Wisconsin foundations are rebounding from the recent economic downturn. While the total number of active foundations (1301) decreased slightly from 2011’s high number, 57 new foundations were identified and two key measures show positive growth. Total assets increased by 12% from last year to over $7 billion, and grants rose 7% to $490 million, close to pre-recession totals. The following table illustrates the 10-year financial pattern as documented in Foundations in Wisconsin.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [30th ed. 2011]

Mary C. Frenn, Jeremy Blackwood, Anne Carpenter, Nathan Lunsford, and Sarah Martin

The 2011 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 30^th production of the print directory and the 11^th year of the online version (www.wifoundations.org). The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters.

While the national economic downturn has had a negative effect on Wisconsin foundations the past two years, there are some positive signs of recovery. The total number of active grantmaking foundations increased to a record high 1,324 (with 67 new foundations identified), and the total assets increased by 11% over last year to $6.2 billion. However, total grants fell to $458 million, a 3% decrease from last year.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [29th ed. 2010]

Marquette University - Funding Information Center, Mary C. Frenn, Melanie Baier, Jeremy Blackwood, Anne Carpenter, Sarah Martin, and Greg Sikora

The 2010 production of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 29th edition of the print directory and the 10th anniversary of the online version (www.wifoundations.org). The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters.

The nation’s economic downturn continued to have a negative effect on Wisconsin foundations. While the total number of active grantmaking foundations increased to a record high 1,314 (with 123 new foundations identified), the total grants and assets declined to pre-2007 amounts. Total grants decreased by 7% to $473 million, total assets decreased by 18% to 5.6 billion.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [28th ed. 2009]

Marquette University - Funding Information Center, Mary C. Frenn, Melanie Baier, Jeremy Blackwood, Anne Carpenter, Joseph Flipper, Sarah Martin, and Greg Sikora

The 2009 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 28th production of the print directory and the 9th year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters. Wisconsin foundations have continued to grow in key areas even with the economic downturn. Active grantmaking foundations now number 1,286, with 54 new foundations identified. Total grants increased to an all-time high of $507 million, a 7% increase over last year. Not surprisingly though, the depressed economy did affect the total assets which decreased by 6% to $6.8 billion.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [27th ed. 2008]

Marquette University, Mary Frenn, Melanie Baier, Jeremy Blackwood, Joseph Flipper, Sarah Martin, and Katie Morrison

The 2008 release of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 27th edition of the print directory and the 8th year of the online version (www.wifoundations.org). The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters.

Wisconsin foundations have shown continued growth in key areas. The number of active grantmaking foundations has risen to an all-time high of 1,275, with 70 new foundations identified since last year’s publication. While the total grants remained stable at $475 million, the total assets increased by 16.5% to $7.2 billion.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [26th ed. 2007]

Marquette University - Funding Information Center, Mary Frenn, Jeremy Blackwood, Oana Deselnicu, Alexandria Innes, Sarah Martin, Katie Morrison, and Vance Thomas

The 2007 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 26th release of the print directory and the 7th year of the online version (www.wifoundations.org). The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters.

Wisconsin foundations continue to grow in the following key areas: number, grants, and particularly assets. Active grantmaking foundations now number 1,251, with 73 new foundations identified since last year’s publication, resulting in a 25% increase over the past 10 years. Over the past year, total grants increased by 5.8% to a total of almost $479 million, while assets increased by 12.5% to $6.2 billion.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [25th ed. 2006]

Mary C. Frenn, Jeremy Blackwood, Katie Morrison, Megan Muthupandiyan, Vance Thomas, and Peter Wright

The 2006 production of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 25th edition of the print directory and the 6th year of the online version (www.wifoundations.org). The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation Web sites, annual reports, and newsletters.

Wisconsin foundations have shown continued growth in several key areas. The number of active grantmaking foundations has risen to 1227, with 77 new foundations identified since last year’s publication. Total grants increased by 15% to a total of $452 million, while assets increased by 6% to $5.5 billion.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [24th ed. 2005]

Mary C. Frenn, Rebecca Cesarz, Megan Muthupandiyan, Vance Thomas, and Lisa Zongolowicz

The 2005 release of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 24th edition of the print directory and the 5th year of the online version (www.wifoundations.org). The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was extracted from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, annual reports, and foundation Web sites.

The 2005 edition documents the significant economic rebound and growth of Wisconsin foundations. The number of active grant making foundations has risen to an all-time high of 1213. As compared to last year’s numbers, total grants increased by 10% and total assets by 2%, the highest the totals have ever been.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [23rd ed. 2004]

Mary C. Frenn, Rebecca Cesarz, Katie Schrader, Vance Thomas, and Lisa Zongolowicz

This 2004 edition of Foundations in Wisconsin marks the 23^rd release of the print directory and the 4^th year of the online version. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was extracted from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, annual reports, and foundation Web sites.

Wisconsin foundations have shown small increases as compared to the 2003 edition. The number of active foundations has grown to an all-time high of 1184. Both total assets and grants for the state’s foundations increased from 2003, albeit not to the heights documented in the 2002 edition. Total assets grew by 1.53% and total grants by .23%. The following table details the financial pattern over the 10 years.
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory [22nd ed. 2003]

Mary C. Frenn, Rebecca Cesarz, Catherine Simpson Kalish, Megan Muthupandiyan, Katie Schrader, Vance Thomas, and Dan Abler

This 22nd edition of Foundations in Wisconsin (2003) is the first produced by the new Marquette University John P. Raynor, S.J., Library. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was extracted from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. However, additional information was obtained from surveys, annual reports, and foundation Web sites.

The economy has slowed the growth of Wisconsin foundations. While the number of active foundations grew to 1160 (up slightly from 1151 last year), other areas are showing decline. For the first time in 23 years of reporting, both grants and assets decreased rather than increased. Grants decreased by .6% as compared to last year’s increase of 7.7%. Assets declined by 6.3%, down from the .3% increase documented in 2002. The following table illustrates the financial pattern over the last 10 editions.