Inspiring People to Give Back to Sustain and Advance the Community We Love. The Community Foundation nurtures the spirit of gratitude in Door County, protects its future with caring and foresight, and ensures individual gifts continue to give year after year to human needs, the arts, the environment, education and other charitable causes.
A 2023 grant of $411,795 to United Way of Door County is a good starting point for understanding Door County Community Foundation Inc: the foundation moves large sums into local institutions that provide charitable, cultural, and community services across Door County. Its recent grant list includes repeated support for organizations such as Third Avenue Playhouse, Door Community Auditorium, Door County YMCA, and Write on Door County Inc, showing a mix of arts, recreation, education, and human services. The grantmaking profile also reaches environmental and conservation groups, public-service recipients, and scholarship-related support for local students. The foundation’s scale is substantial for a place-based funder, with $6,395,993 in annual grants and $50,282,429 in assets on the latest 990 on file. Recent awards range from six figures to mid-five-figure gifts, alongside smaller local grants. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent-grants table, including United Way of Door County, Door County YMCA, Help of Door County Inc, Horseshoe Bay Farms Inc, and Zion Lutheran Church, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. Across the record, the emphasis stays close to Door County and to organizations serving residents, students, and community institutions.
Arts and cultural organizations are a visible part of the foundation’s recent giving. It awarded $382,362 to Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay for recreational purposes and $310,636 to Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek for recreational purposes, then followed with another $93,932 to Third Avenue Playhouse in 2024. Education and student support also show up repeatedly. Write on Door County Inc received $173,198 in 2023 for educational purposes and $123,234 in 2024 for charitable purposes, while the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Foundation received $81,560 in 2023 for educational purposes. Community health and basic needs are another clear thread. Door County Medical Center Foundation received $299,745 in 2023, and Help of Door County Inc received $62,989 in 2023 and $58,313 in 2024. Environmental giving appears through Crossroads at Big Creek Inc at $159,169 in 2023 and Door County Land Trust at $70,827 in 2024.
$8.2M
$63.6M
$14.8M
$10.3M
Most grants fall between $8K and $39K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$39K
BRET BICOY
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Typical grant size is $8,311 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $38,638 at the 75th percentile, although the recent-grants table also shows several much larger awards in the six-figure range. The pattern is repeat giving rather than one-off support: United Way of Door County, Door County YMCA, Help of Door County Inc, Horseshoe Bay Farms Inc, and Zion Lutheran Church all appear more than once in the recent record. The foundation is a mixed community foundation and gives through several named funds and board-directed grant programs, including discretionary and community investment funding. Some programs accept unsolicited requests, including Sustainability Grants, the Door County Scholarship Fund, Women’s Fund of Door County Community Grants, Healthy Water Door County Grants, and Bargains Unlimited Charitable Fund Grants.
Giving is overwhelmingly local. 84% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin, and every grant in the recipient-country distribution is in the United States. Recent awards cluster in Door County communities, especially Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek, with additional grants in Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, Baileys Harbor, and Forestville. The record also includes a few grants outside the county in Green Bay, but the overall pattern remains centered on Door County.
The recent grant record shows support for charitable, recreational, educational, environmental, public services, and religious organizations. Named recipients include United Way of Door County, Door Community Auditorium, Door County YMCA, Write on Door County Inc, Crossroads at Big Creek Inc, and Door County Land Trust.
The typical grant size is $8,311 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $38,638 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants table also includes awards above $100,000, showing that the foundation makes both smaller community grants and larger institutional gifts.
Yes. Several recipients appear multiple times in the recent-grants list, including United Way of Door County, Door County YMCA, Help of Door County Inc, Horseshoe Bay Farms Inc, and Zion Lutheran Church. That suggests ongoing relationships with some local organizations.
Yes. Sustainability Grants, the Door County Scholarship Fund, Women’s Fund of Door County Community Grants, Healthy Water Door County Grants, and Bargains Unlimited Charitable Fund Grants all accept unsolicited applications. The Door County Health and Human Needs Fund and the Women’s Fund grantmaking arm do not.
Most grants stay in Wisconsin, with 84% of grants going to recipients in the state. The recent grants cluster in Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, and Baileys Harbor, with some awards also going to Green Bay.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Door County Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Youth as Resources: any youth group comprised primarily of Door County residents, organized or informal. Youth in Theatre: any charitable, educational, civic or youth group comprised primarily of Door County residents.
Deadline: First business day of October, December, March, and May
Who can apply: Projects and initiatives must further Healthy Water Door County's mission.
Deadline: Monthly
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOOR COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | STURGEON BAY, WI | $1,353,510 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM | FISH CREEK, WI | $636,429 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF THE ELISHA D SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY INC | NEENAH, WI | $500,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KELLER INC | KAUKAUNA, WI | $359,532 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| UNITED WAY OF DOOR COUNTY | STURGEON BAY, WI | $276,349 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTHERN SKY THEATER | FISH CREEK, WI | $210,902 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COUNTY OF DOOR | STURGEON BAY, WI | $204,433 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WRITE ON DOOR COUNTY INC | FISH CREEK, WI | $187,723 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MILLER ART MUSEUM | STURGEON BAY, WI | $187,682 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MIDSUMMER'S MUSIC LTD | SISTER BAY, WI | $163,179 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DOOR COUNTY YMCA | STURGEON BAY, WI | $153,728 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF PENINSULA STATE PARK | FISH CREEK, WI | $152,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF THE DOOR COUNTY PARK SYSTEM INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $150,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CHILDREN FIRST DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $140,245 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BIRCH CREEK MUSIC PERFORMANCE CENTER INC | EGG HARBOR, WI | $139,673 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DOOR COUNTY LAND TRUST | STURGEON BAY, WI | $122,877 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PARKER SCHOOL | JANESVILLE, WI | $110,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| TOWN OF BAILEYS HARBOR | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $109,700 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| HORSESHOE BAY FARMS INC | EGG HARBOR, WI | $107,738 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| STURGEON BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | STURGEON BAY, WI | $106,003 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KOLBERG ATHLETIC CLUB INC | BRUSSELS, WI | $100,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WASHINGTON ISLAND GOVERNMENT | WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE | STURGEON BAY, WI | $75,677 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| TOWN OF GIBRALTAR | FISH CREEK, WI | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KAHILU THEATRE FOUNDATION | KAMUELA, HI | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MUSE STURGEON BAY INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $74,350 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PENINSULA SCHOOL OF ART | FISH CREEK, WI | $71,169 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| TOWN OF SEVASTOPOL | STURGEON BAY, WI | $70,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| HELP OF DOOR COUNTY INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $69,533 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $63,381 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE CLEARING FOLK SCHOOL | ELLISON BAY, WI | $62,516 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DOOR COMMUNITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER | STURGEON BAY, WI | $57,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DOOR COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $56,227 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH | EGG HARBOR, WI | $56,200 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LAKESHORE NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERSHIP | PORT WASHINGTON, WI | $56,175 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CITY OF STURGEON BAY | STURGEON BAY, WI | $55,350 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE BAY & LAKES REGION | GREEN BAY, WI | $55,088 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WARTBURG COLLEGE | WAVERLY, IA | $53,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE | ST LOUIS, MO | $52,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| VILLAGE OF EPHRAIM | EPHRAIM, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH | STURGEON BAY, WI | $46,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $42,615 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BUG FIREFIGHTERS INC | BRUSSELS, WI | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LAKESHORE CAP INC | MANITOWOC, WI | $34,020 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTHERN DOOR CHILDREN'S CENTER | SISTER BAY, WI | $33,901 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| OPEN DOOR BIRD SANCTUARY | STURGEON BAY, WI | $31,590 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PENINSULA PLAYERS THEATRE INC | FISH CREEK, WI | $30,400 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,200 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| SUNSHINE HOUSE INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $28,875 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| STURGEON BAY YACHT CLUB SAIL TRAINING FOUNDATION | STURGEON BAY, WI | $28,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
DOOR COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$1,353,510CHARITABLE
DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM
$636,429CHARITABLE
FRIENDS OF THE ELISHA D SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY INC
$500,000CHARITABLE
KELLER INC
$359,532CHARITABLE
NORTHERN SKY THEATER
$210,902CHARITABLE
COUNTY OF DOOR
$204,433CHARITABLE
WRITE ON DOOR COUNTY INC
$187,723CHARITABLE
MILLER ART MUSEUM
$187,682CHARITABLE
MIDSUMMER'S MUSIC LTD
$163,179CHARITABLE
DOOR COUNTY YMCA
$153,728CHARITABLE
FRIENDS OF PENINSULA STATE PARK
$152,000CHARITABLE
FRIENDS OF THE DOOR COUNTY PARK SYSTEM INC
$150,000CHARITABLE
CHILDREN FIRST DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC
$140,245CHARITABLE
BIRCH CREEK MUSIC PERFORMANCE CENTER INC
$139,673CHARITABLE
TOWN OF BAILEYS HARBOR
$109,700CHARITABLE
HORSESHOE BAY FARMS INC
$107,738CHARITABLE
STURGEON BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$106,003CHARITABLE
KOLBERG ATHLETIC CLUB INC
$100,500CHARITABLE
WASHINGTON ISLAND GOVERNMENT
$100,000CHARITABLE
THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE
$75,677CHARITABLE
TOWN OF GIBRALTAR
$75,000CHARITABLE
KAHILU THEATRE FOUNDATION
$75,000CHARITABLE
MUSE STURGEON BAY INC
$74,350CHARITABLE
TOWN OF SEVASTOPOL
$70,000CHARITABLE
HELP OF DOOR COUNTY INC
$69,533CHARITABLE
CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK INC
$63,381CHARITABLE
DOOR COMMUNITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$57,000CHARITABLE
DOOR COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
$56,227CHARITABLE
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$56,200CHARITABLE
CITY OF STURGEON BAY
$55,350CHARITABLE
WARTBURG COLLEGE
$53,000CHARITABLE
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE
$52,000CHARITABLE
VILLAGE OF EPHRAIM
$50,000CHARITABLE
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH
$46,500CHARITABLE
THE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC
$42,615CHARITABLE
BUG FIREFIGHTERS INC
$40,000CHARITABLE
LAKESHORE CAP INC
$34,020CHARITABLE
NORTHERN DOOR CHILDREN'S CENTER
$33,901CHARITABLE
OPEN DOOR BIRD SANCTUARY
$31,590CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
$30,200CHARITABLE
SUNSHINE HOUSE INC
$28,875CHARITABLE
STURGEON BAY YACHT CLUB SAIL TRAINING FOUNDATION
$28,500CHARITABLE
