The Dorothy Inbusch Foundation focuses its giving on supporting large cultural institutions in Milwaukee, concentrating on capital campaigns and arts education/program support. Grants are geographically local and directed to established museums and theaters, indicating a preference for sustaining major civic cultural assets rather than a broad array of causes.
A $30,000 commitment to Milwaukee Public Museum for the WONDERS Campaign, matched by another $30,000 for the Historic Haymarket Campaign in the prior year, captures the Dorothy Inbusch Foundation Inc’s pattern: concentrated support for Milwaukee cultural institutions with visible capital needs. The foundation’s recent grant history shows a steady preference for established civic organizations rather than a broad mix of small awards. Milwaukee Repertory Theater appears as another recurring beneficiary, with grants tied to capital campaign support, education programming, and a later pledge payment. That mix points to a funder that backs both bricks-and-mortar projects and the programming that keeps arts institutions active. Across the recent record, the foundation also supports arts education and community arts programming through groups such as Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and Next Act Theatre, while extending some support to museums, historical organizations, and nature-focused institutions in the same city. The grant list suggests a local institutional funder with sustained relationships and repeated awards to the same organizations over multiple years.
Arts and culture dominate the grant list, especially for large Milwaukee institutions. The foundation gave $20,000 to Milwaukee Repertory Theater for capital campaign and education program support, and later another $7,500 for operating support. It also supported Next Act Theatre with $7,500 for a program season and $5,000 for operating support. Museum and history work is another clear thread. Milwaukee County Historical Society received $7,000 for its Hands-On History Educational Program, while Milwaukee Public Museum received $10,000 as a yearly pledge. Music education also appears in the record: Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra received $7,500 for 2024-25 arts in community education and $9,050 for event and music programs. These grants show attention to both institutional capacity and public-facing educational programming.
Typical awards are modest relative to the foundation’s larger capital commitments, with a p25 of $2,000, a median of $3,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent record also includes a small number of $20,000 and $30,000 grants, suggesting that larger awards are reserved for selected priority projects. Recipients recur across years: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, American Red Cross, Next Act Theatre, and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra all appear more than once. Dorothy Inbusch Foundation Inc is a regular funder rather than a DAF vehicle, funds individuals, and the grants shown are project support, operating support, capital campaign support, event support, and pledge payments.
$209K
$2.4M
$282K
$311K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Highly concentrated giving: few, relatively large grants to a small number of repeat local cultural grantees, with emphasis on capital campaigns and program support rather than many small or geographically diverse awards.
Notable grantees: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater
The foundation gives almost entirely in Wisconsin, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Milwaukee is the clear center of activity: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Urban Ecology Center, and Kinship Mke all received grants in Milwaukee. The grant list is entirely U.S.-based, and the recipient country distribution shows 106 grants in the United States. The pattern is local and city-focused rather than statewide or multi-state.
The grant list centers on Milwaukee cultural institutions and related education work. Recent recipients include Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee County Historical Society, and Urban Ecology Center, with purposes ranging from capital campaigns to education programs, operating support, and event support.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized: the p25 is $2,000, the median is $3,000, and the p75 is $5,000. The record also includes occasional larger awards, including $20,000 and $30,000 grants tied to major campaign support.
The recent grant record is overwhelmingly local. Wisconsin recipients account for 98% of grants, and the country distribution shows all 106 grants went to U.S. organizations.
Several organizations appear in multiple years, which points to recurring support. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, American Red Cross, Next Act Theatre, and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra all received more than one grant in the recent list.
Arts and culture are the main focus, but the record also includes other areas. American Red Cross received disaster-relief support, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin received health-education support, and River Revitalization Foundation received support for emerging conservation professionals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | MILWAUKEE FLOOD DONATION |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | MILW FLOOD DISASTER RELIEF |
| MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | FUNDING FOR FY26 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | LA FIRES CONTRIBUTION |
| NEXT ACT THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SCHLITZ AUDUBON CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,500 | 2026 | BANQUET SPONSORSHIP |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY P'SHIP PROGRAM & CONCERT S |
| SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER FRIE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ACROSS ALL PROGRAM AREAS |
| CREATE WISCONSIN (SMALL ARTS & CULT | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATION SUPPORT |
| URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | SPONSOR CLASSES |
| ABCD INC (AFTER BREAST CANCER DIA | GLENDALE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UWM FOUNDATION INC PRE-APPROVED | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION WAIVER F |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN IN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JOURNEY HOUSE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,240 | 2026 | EVENT |
| MPTV MILWAUKEE PUBLIC TELEVISION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | FUNDING FOR ARTS PAGE PROGRAM |
| KINSHIP MKE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE PARKS FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | SEEDS & SPROUTS PROGRAMMING |
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MILWAUKEE | WEST ALLIS, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | CIVIC EDUCATION, ADVOCACY ET AL |
| RIDES & REINS | SLINGER, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | EQUINE THERAPY PROGRAM |
| SECUREFUTURES FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL COSTS |
| HISTORIC MILWAUKEE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL FUNDING |
| BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS FRIENDS | HALES CORNERS, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PLANT SCIENCE & ENVIRONME |
| MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT UPCOMING SEASON |
| WUWM MILWAUKEE PUBLIC RADIO | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING INITIATIVE |
| VILLA TERRACE DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEU | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | CENTENNIAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE CORP | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR CURRENT PRODUCTION SEASO |
| CATHEDRAL CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | EMERGENCY CENTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDRE |
| GIFT OF ADOPTION FUND INC | TECHNY, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | ADOPTION ASSISTANCE FOR MILWAUKEE FA |
| WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM |
| CENTER FOR DEAF-BLIND PERSONS INC | WEST ALLIS, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | ICANCONNECT PROGRAM & OUTREACH PROGR |
| OPTIMIST THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF WI CH | MADISON, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | SUMMER CAMP FOR BURN INJURED YOUTH |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING COSTS |
| EX FABULA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT YOUTH AFFINITY STORYTELLING |
| RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | FUNDING FOR ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVE |
| WISCONSIN ADAPTIVE SPORTS ASSOCIATI | BROOKFIELD, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT |
| DOGSINVESTS INC | PALMYRA, WI | $1,800 | 2026 | SERVICE DOG TRAINING |
| FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR 2026 FIRST STAGE SEASON |
| WISCONSIN VETERANS NETWORK (VETSNET | WEST ALLIS, WI | $1,500 | 2026 | INTAKE, ASSESSMENT, & ADVOCACY PROGR |
| MILWAUKEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,496 | 2026 | EVENT |
| URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,076 | 2026 | BANQUET SPONSORSHIP |
| IMAGINE MKE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAKE MICHIGAN BIRD OBSERVATORY | PORT WASHINGTON, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BROADSCOPE DISABILITY SERVICES | GREENFIELD, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | RESPITE CARE COORDINATION PROGRAM |
| WILDLIFE IN NEED | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $800 | 2026 | BANQUET SPONSORSHIP |
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | 2022 PLEDGE OF 60,000 |
| SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $11,700 | 2025 | EVENT |
| MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | YEARLY PLEDGE |
| NEXT ACT THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000MILW FLOOD DISASTER RELIEF
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000LA FIRES CONTRIBUTION
SCHLITZ AUDUBON CENTER
BANQUET SPONSORSHIP
SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER FRIE
$6,000SUPPORT ACROSS ALL PROGRAM AREAS
CREATE WISCONSIN (SMALL ARTS & CULT
$5,000OPERATION SUPPORT
ABCD INC (AFTER BREAST CANCER DIA
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UWM FOUNDATION INC PRE-APPROVED
$5,000GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION WAIVER F
JOURNEY HOUSE INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MPTV MILWAUKEE PUBLIC TELEVISION
$3,500FUNDING FOR ARTS PAGE PROGRAM
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MILWAUKEE
$3,000CIVIC EDUCATION, ADVOCACY ET AL
RIDES & REINS
$3,000EQUINE THERAPY PROGRAM
HISTORIC MILWAUKEE INC
$3,000OPERATIONAL FUNDING
BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS FRIENDS
$3,000CHILDREN'S PLANT SCIENCE & ENVIRONME
WUWM MILWAUKEE PUBLIC RADIO
$3,000ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING INITIATIVE
VILLA TERRACE DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEU
$3,000CENTENNIAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CENTER FOR DEAF-BLIND PERSONS INC
$2,000ICANCONNECT PROGRAM & OUTREACH PROGR
OPTIMIST THEATRE
$2,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF WI CH
$2,000SUMMER CAMP FOR BURN INJURED YOUTH
EX FABULA
$2,000SUPPORT YOUTH AFFINITY STORYTELLING
WISCONSIN ADAPTIVE SPORTS ASSOCIATI
$2,000PURCHASE ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT
DOGSINVESTS INC
$1,800SERVICE DOG TRAINING
WISCONSIN VETERANS NETWORK (VETSNET
$1,500INTAKE, ASSESSMENT, & ADVOCACY PROGR
MILWAUKEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,496EVENT
IMAGINE MKE
$1,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LAKE MICHIGAN BIRD OBSERVATORY
$1,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BROADSCOPE DISABILITY SERVICES
$1,000RESPITE CARE COORDINATION PROGRAM
WILDLIFE IN NEED
$800BANQUET SPONSORSHIP
SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER
$11,700EVENT