The Bluemke Foundation concentrates its giving in Wisconsin, with the vast majority of dollars directed to higher education and faith-affiliated elder care. Most funding is channeled through three sizable grants to the University of Wisconsin and two substantial gifts to Lutheran senior-care organizations, indicating a preference for established institutional partners that support education and services for older adults. The foundation gives few, large gifts rather than many small awards.
A $1.3 million grant to the University of Wisconsin Foundation in 2025 stands out in the Duane & Dorothy Bluemke Foundation Ltd’s recent record, and it sits within a pattern of repeated support for the same institutional partners over multiple years. The foundation’s largest gifts are directed to education, while other major awards support Lutheran-affiliated elder care, disaster response, and services for children and families in Wisconsin. Across the recent grants list, the foundation shows a preference for established organizations rather than one-off community awards. The University of Wisconsin Foundation received the foundation’s largest three education grants in the file, at $1.3 million in 2025, $600,000 in 2024, and $550,000 in 2023. That recurring support suggests a long-running commitment to higher education. Alongside that, the foundation has made repeated six-figure gifts to senior-care organizations, including Lutheran Home Foundation and Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc Inc., both in 2025. Smaller but still substantial awards go to organizations serving children, emergency relief efforts, and ministries with stability or operating support needs. The overall picture is of a Wisconsin-focused funder that gives through concentrated, multi-year grants to named institutions.
Higher education is a core theme in the foundation’s recent giving. The University of Wisconsin Foundation received $1.3 million in 2025 for education, following $600,000 in 2024 and $550,000 in 2023. That three-year pattern is the clearest example of sustained institutional support in the file. The foundation also supports elder services through Lutheran-affiliated providers. In 2025, it gave $100,000 each to Lutheran Home Foundation and Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc Inc. for assisting the elderly. Another related grant went to Lutheran Counseling & Family Services of Wi for sustainability of ministry. Community relief and human services are another visible thread. American Red Cross received disaster-relief grants in multiple years, and Milwaukee Rescue Mission was funded for assistance to indigent families. Children’s services appear as well, through grants to Children’s Hospital Wisconsin Foundation and Children's Hospital and Health System Inc. for assistance to ill children.
$2.1M
$14.1M
$2.2M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving: a small number of large grants, repeat support to a single major grantee (University of Wisconsin Foundation), and targeted gifts to faith-based elderly care providers.
Notable grantees: University of Wisconsin Foundation, Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc Inc, Lutheran Home Foundation
The foundation’s typical grant size is modest relative to its largest awards: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Recent giving shows a different pattern at the top end, with a small number of much larger institutional grants and many smaller awards clustered below that. The same recipients appear across multiple years, including several recurring grants to the University of Wisconsin Foundation, American Red Cross, Haiti Partners, Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation, Doxology, and Broom Tree Ministries. The foundation makes grants from a family foundation structure and funds individuals. It does not make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in Wisconsin, which accounts for 59% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Madison appears repeatedly through the University of Wisconsin Foundation, while Milwaukee shows up through American Red Cross, Children's Hospital Wisconsin Foundation, Milwaukee Rescue Mission, and United Way of Milwaukee & Waukesha County. Other Wisconsin cities include Wauwatosa, Oconomowoc, Delafield, and Brookfield. Outside the state, grants also reached Vero Beach, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Boone, North Carolina; and Haiti.
Its recent grants lean toward higher education, Lutheran-affiliated elder care, disaster relief, and human services. Repeated recipients include the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Lutheran Home Foundation, Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc Inc., American Red Cross, and organizations serving children or indigent families.
Recurring support is a clear pattern. The University of Wisconsin Foundation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; American Red Cross received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and several other recipients also appear in more than one year, including Haiti Partners and Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation.
The middle of the distribution is small: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent record also includes much larger institutional awards, including six-figure and seven-figure grants.
Wisconsin is the primary state of giving, accounting for 59% of grants and the top state by grant count. Within Wisconsin, recent recipient cities include Madison, Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Oconomowoc, Delafield, and Brookfield.
The foundation has funded disaster relief through American Red Cross, storm-victim assistance through Red Cross - South FL Region, assistance to indigent families through Milwaukee Rescue Mission, and health and human service programming through United Way of Milwaukee & Waukesha County and United Way of Indian River County.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $1,300,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATION |
| LUTHERAN HOMES OF OCONOMOWOC INC | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTING THE ELDERLY |
| LUTHERAN HOME FOUNDATION | WAUWATOSA, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTING THE ELDERLY |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO ILL CHILDREN |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | FOR DISASTER RELIEF |
| HAITI PARTNERS | VERO BEACH, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNITED WAY OF MILWAUKEE & WAUKESHA COUNTY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAM |
| DOXOLOGY | BROOKFIELD, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | FOR STABILITY OF MINISTRY |
| BROOM TREE MINISTRIES | DELAFIELD, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LUTHERAN COUNSELING & FAMILY SERVICES OF WI | WAUWATOSA, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF MINISTRY |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT FAMILIES |
| RED CROSS - SOUTH FL REGION | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO STORM VICTIMS |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BLESSED SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH | NEW BERLIN, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI MADISON - SPENCER LARSON | MADISON, WI | $11,404 | 2025 | STEM SCHOLAR - SPENCER LARSON |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI STEVENS POINT - RYAN SCHEUER | STEVENS POINT, WI | $10,619 | 2025 | STEM SCHOLAR - RYAN SCHEUER |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WI | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| MARGIES SMILE INC | FRANKLIN, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR MAINTAINING GARDEN |
| YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL VALUES |
| UNITED WAY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAM |
| CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MEQUON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI PLATTEVILLE - RYAN BERGMAN | PLATTEVILLE, WI | $9,980 | 2025 | STEM SCHOLAR - RYAN BERGMAN |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI MADISON - EVAN ODYA | MADISON, WI | $7,536 | 2025 | STEM SCHOLAR - EVAN ODYA |
| HOPE CENTER | WAUKESHA, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT FAMILIES |
| FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WI | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO HUNGRY FAMILIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI MADISON - NICHOLAS BURGESS | MADISON, WI | $6,086 | 2025 | STEM SCHOLAR - NICHOLAS BURGESS |
| AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATION ON PUBLIC POLICY |
| MERCY CHEFS INC | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR PROVIDING FOOD DURING DISASTERS |
| BONE HEALTH AND OSTEOPOROSIS FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PARKINSON'S DISEASE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO ILL CHILDREN |
| UNITED AGAINST POVERTY | VERO BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO HUNGRY FAMILIES |
| FIRST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH | CEDARBURG, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MINISTRY |
| LUTHERAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HEBRON HOUSE SERVICES | WAUKESHA, WI | $4,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT FAMILIES |
| CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH |
| BADGER INSTITUTE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH |
| JOHN K MACIVER INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY | MADISON, WI | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATION ON PUBLIC POLICY |
| ERAS SENIOR NETWORK | WAUKESHA, WI | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR FAITH IN ACTION PROGRAM |
| CROHN'S COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | FOR RESEARCH |
| AOPA FOUNDATION INC | FREDRICK, MD | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR AVIATION SAFETY PROGRAMS |
| OZAUKEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INC | WEST BEND, WI | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATION |
| COA YOUTH & FAMILY CENTERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ST LUCIE INDIAN RIVER & OKEECHOBEE | VERO BEACH, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR MENTORING SERVICES |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF MILW | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR MENTORING SERVICES |
| AGNES TABLE & COMMUNITY CENTER INC | CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI | $2,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TURNING POINT USA | CROWN POINT, IN | $2,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATION ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND CAPITALISM |
| CAMP HAVEN MINISTRIES | VERO BEACH, FL | $2,000 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS |
LUTHERAN HOMES OF OCONOMOWOC INC
$100,000FOR ASSISTING THE ELDERLY
LUTHERAN HOME FOUNDATION
$100,000FOR ASSISTING THE ELDERLY
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$55,000FOR DISASTER RELIEF
FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAM
DOXOLOGY
$30,000FOR STABILITY OF MINISTRY
BROOM TREE MINISTRIES
$30,000FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
LUTHERAN COUNSELING & FAMILY SERVICES OF WI
$25,000FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF MINISTRY
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$25,000FOR ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT FAMILIES
RED CROSS - SOUTH FL REGION
$25,000FOR ASSISTANCE TO STORM VICTIMS
BLESSED SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
$20,000FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF WI MADISON - SPENCER LARSON
$11,404STEM SCHOLAR - SPENCER LARSON
STEM SCHOLAR - RYAN SCHEUER
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WI
$10,000FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION
MARGIES SMILE INC
$10,000FOR MAINTAINING GARDEN
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$10,000FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WI PLATTEVILLE - RYAN BERGMAN
$9,980STEM SCHOLAR - RYAN BERGMAN
UNIVERSITY OF WI MADISON - EVAN ODYA
$7,536STEM SCHOLAR - EVAN ODYA
FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WI
$7,500FOR ASSISTANCE TO HUNGRY FAMILIES
UNIVERSITY OF WI MADISON - NICHOLAS BURGESS
$6,086STEM SCHOLAR - NICHOLAS BURGESS
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION
$5,000FOR EDUCATION ON PUBLIC POLICY
BONE HEALTH AND OSTEOPOROSIS FOUNDATION
$5,000FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNITED AGAINST POVERTY
$5,000FOR ASSISTANCE TO HUNGRY FAMILIES
FIRST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$5,000FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MINISTRY
LUTHERAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE
$5,000FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
HEBRON HOUSE SERVICES
$4,000FOR ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT FAMILIES
ERAS SENIOR NETWORK
$3,000FOR FAITH IN ACTION PROGRAM
FOR MENTORING SERVICES
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF MILW
$2,500FOR MENTORING SERVICES
AGNES TABLE & COMMUNITY CENTER INC
$2,000FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
TURNING POINT USA
$2,000FOR EDUCATION ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND CAPITALISM
CAMP HAVEN MINISTRIES
$2,000FOR ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS