Gardner Foundation
Historical FunderMilwaukee, Wisconsin · EIN 39-6076956 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$233K
Organizations funded60
Typical grant$3,000
Total assets$3.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $3,000 and $5,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | THEODORE FRIEDLANDER III |
|---|---|
| Address | 322 E MICHIGAN ST STE 250, MILWAUKEE WI 53202 |
| Phone | 4142730308 |
| Form and materials | GARDNER FOUNDATION FORM AND ATTACH IRS 501(C)(3). |
| Deadlines | ONE MONTH BEFORE EACH MEETING. MEETINGS ARE HELD IN APRIL, SEPTEMBER, AND DECEMBER. |
| Restrictions | GREATER MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN AREA |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
0% of grants went outside Wisconsin.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $10,000 |
| Hunger Task Force Inc | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $8,500 |
| Grand Avenue Club | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $7,500 |
| Milwaukee Rescue Mission | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $7,000 |
| Pathfinders | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $7,000 |
| Walkers Point Youth & Family Center | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $6,000 |
| Milwaukee Institute of Arts & Desig | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,600 |
| Wisconsin Conservatory of Music | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,500 |
| Alverno College | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Ascension Wisconsin Foundation | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Beyond Vision | West Allis, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of Se Wi | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Hear Wisconsin Inc | West Allis, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| LA Causa Inc | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Repairers of the Breach | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Shepherds Ministries | Union Grove, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| St Marcus School | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| The Guest House of Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Versity Blood Research Institute | Wauwatosa, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Wellpoint Care Network | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Wisconsin Luther Child & Family Ser | Germantown, WI | Operating expenses | $5,000 |
| Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $4,000 |
| Next Act Theatre | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $4,000 |
| Vision Forward Association | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $4,000 |
| Center for Deaf Blind Persons Inc | West Allis, WI | Operating expenses | $3,500 |
| Civic Music Assc of Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,500 |
| Lutheran Counseling and Family Serv | Wauwatosa, WI | Operating expenses | $3,500 |
| Meta House Inc | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,500 |
| Awe | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro M | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Broadscope Disability Svc Inc | Greenfield, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Discovery World | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| First Stage | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Jewish Family Services | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Kingdom Workers | Waukesha, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Malaika Early Learning Center | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Milwaukee Academy of Science | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Milwaukee Art Museum | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Milwaukee Ballet | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Milwaukee Chamber Theatre | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Milwaukee Tennis Education Fund | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Playworks Education Energized | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Risen Savior Lutheran | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Riveredge Nature Center | Newburg, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Securefutures Foundation Inc | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| St Anthony School Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| The Florentine Opera | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| United Community Center | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $3,000 |
| Core El Centro | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,500 |
| Islands of Brilliance | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,500 |
| Renaissance Theaterworks | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,500 |
| St Francis Children's Center | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,500 |
| Urban Ecology Center | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,500 |
| Optimist Theatre | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,000 |
| Wild Space Dance Company | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,000 |
| Woodland Pattern Book Center | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $2,000 |
| Above the Clouds | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $1,400 |
| Milwaukee Area Messiah | Mequon, WI | Operating expenses | $1,000 |
| Xalaat Africa Drum & Dance for Life | Milwaukee, WI | Operating expenses | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $233,000 | 60 |
| 2024 | $225,000 | 55 |
| 2023 | $217,500 | 53 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Mar 3, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202630629349100413
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 39-6076956
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.