Kelben Foundation Inc
Historical FunderMilwaukee, Wisconsin · EIN 39-1494625 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$4.9M
Organizations funded61
Typical grant$3,000
Total assets$92.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,500 and $5,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | MARY KELLNER |
|---|---|
| Address | 790 N WATER STREET SUITE 2175, MILWAUKEE WI 53202 |
| Phone | 4142366223 |
| Form and materials | KELBEN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM, HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT, MINIMUM OF TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. |
| Deadlines | MARCH 20, 2024 |
| Restrictions | FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, STUDENT MUST MEET GRADE POINT AVERAGE AS DETAILED IN APPLICATION, DEMONSTRATE NEED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, RESIDE IN THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE, PLANNING TO ATTEND ACCREDITED FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE AS A FULL-TIME STUDENT. |
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
34% of grants went outside Wisconsin.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Way | Milwaukee, WI | Social services | $4,005,983 |
| Children's Wisconsin Foundation | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $100,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services | Milwaukee, WI | Social service agency | $30,000 |
| Swim Mke | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $10,500 |
| All-In Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | College education support | $10,000 |
| Ozaukee Family Services | Grafton, WI | Social service agency | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Hagerstown, MD | Donation | $9,000 |
| Wisconsin Humane Society | Saukville, WI | Animal welfare | $9,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation | New York, NY | Social service agency | $8,000 |
| Sf Community Clinics | San Franscisco, CA | Social service agency | $8,000 |
| Unicef USA | New York, NY | Disaster aid | $8,000 |
| American Red Cross | Boone, IA | Disaster aid | $7,000 |
| American Red Cross | Boone, IA | Disaster aid | $5,500 |
| American Red Cross Northern Ca | San Franscisco, CA | Disaster aid | $5,000 |
| Christian Family Solutions | Germantown, WI | Donation | $5,000 |
| Haws | Waukesha, WI | Animal welfare | $5,000 |
| Journey 21 | Oconomowoc, WI | Educ for developmentally disabled | $5,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services | Milwaukee, WI | Social service agency | $5,000 |
| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $5,000 |
| Milwaukee Rescue Mission | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $5,000 |
| Pathways High School | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $5,000 |
| Seeds of Health Inc | Milwaukee, WI | Public health | $5,000 |
| Sixteenth Street Community Health | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $5,000 |
| Stars & Stripes Honor Flight | Menomonee Falls, WI | Services for veterans | $5,000 |
| San Francisco Parks Alliance | San Franscisco, CA | Community parks | $4,500 |
| Grand Avenue Club | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $4,000 |
| Surfrider Foundation | San Clemente, CA | Ocean and beach protection | $4,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco | San Franscisco, CA | Donation | $3,000 |
| Charles Kubly Foundation | Mequon, WI | Mental health | $3,000 |
| Food Pantry Serving Waukesha County | Waukesha, WI | Donation | $3,000 |
| Medical Students for Choice | Philadelphia, PA | Medical care | $3,000 |
| St Ann Center | Milwaukee, WI | Daycare for all ages | $3,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Arlington, VA | Diaster aid | $3,000 |
| Next Door | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $2,500 |
| Redgen | Shorewood, WI | Social service agency | $2,500 |
| Redgen | Shorewood, WI | Social service agency | $2,500 |
| The Women's Center | Waukesha, WI | Donation | $2,500 |
| Calpirg Charitable Trust | Sacramento, CA | Public health | $2,000 |
| Caps | Mequon, WI | Education | $2,000 |
| Kexp | Seattle, WA | Donation | $2,000 |
| Kqed | San Franscisco, CA | Donation | $2,000 |
| Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative | West Allis, WI | Services for veterans | $2,000 |
| Project Purple | Seymour, CT | Donation | $2,000 |
| North Suburban Special Olympics | Grafton, WI | Support development disability | $1,750 |
| Community Projects for Seniors | Milwaukee, WI | Meals for seniors | $1,500 |
| Reformed University Fellowship | Charlotte, NC | Donation | $1,500 |
| Advocates of Ozaukee | Saukville, WI | Domestic abuse service | $1,000 |
| America's Frontline Doctors | Houston, TX | Donation | $1,000 |
| Audio & Braille Library Enhancement | Milwaukee, WI | Audio tapes for blind | $1,000 |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County | Saukville, WI | Social service agency | $1,000 |
| Mel's Charities Inc | Cedarburg, WI | Community support | $1,000 |
| Open Door Bible Church Elevator Fund | Port Washington, WI | Community support | $1,000 |
| Ozaukee County Jail Literacy Program | Port Washington, WI | Donation | $1,000 |
| Project Kindred | Milwaukee, WI | AIDS kidney disease | $1,000 |
| Reformed University Fellowship | Charlotte, NC | Donation | $1,000 |
| Serenity Inns | Milwaukee, WI | Addiction recovery | $1,000 |
| Milwaukee Pbs | Milwaukee, WI | Donation | $750 |
| Kalw Public Media | San Franscisco, CA | Donation | $500 |
| Marketplace Co American Media | St Paul, MN | Donation | $500 |
| Soulcare Mke | Milwaukee, WI | Education | $500 |
Showing the 60 largest of 61 grants to organizations.
The return also lists 356 grants to individuals ($560,996). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,906,979 | 417 |
| 2023 | $5,648,339 | 419 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 14, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503179349104160
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 39-1494625
- 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.