The Fotsch Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on education with a clear preference for faith‑based and regional institutions. Its largest and repeat investments are in Marquette University (Jesuit higher education), alongside significant gifts to a Catholic religious order and a Milwaukee early‑learning center, indicating support for both faith‑based education and early childhood services in Wisconsin.
Highly concentrated: very few, large grants primarily to a small set of regional/faith‑based grantees, including repeat funding to Marquette University.
A $1,848,200 charitable contribution to Marquette University in 2025 is the clearest sign of what the Fotsch Family Foundation prioritizes: education, especially Catholic and Jesuit institutions. That same pattern appears across several years of giving, with Marquette also receiving $830,000 in 2023 and $80,000 in 2024. The foundation’s recent grants also show a steady commitment to Milwaukee-based service providers, including Malaika Early Learning Center, Ronald McDonald Charities-eastern Wi, The Salvation Army, and the Children's Hospital of Wi Foundation. Faith-based organizations are another consistent thread, with support for Paulist Fathers, The Cardinal's Appeal, Catholic Relief Services, and Valley of Our Lady Monastery. Taken together, the grants suggest a donor that uses charitable contributions to back institutions tied to education, Catholic ministry, early childhood services, and community support in Wisconsin and beyond. The foundation’s giving is concentrated in organizations that already have an established role in their communities rather than in individuals or program-related investments. Its grant record points to repeated support for a small set of institutions alongside a broader circle of one-time charitable gifts.
Education is the foundation’s clearest focus. In 2025, it gave $1,848,200 to Marquette University, and the school also received $830,000 in 2023 and $80,000 in 2024. Jesuit secondary education appears as well: Christo Rey Jesuit High School in Milwaukee received $85,000 in 2025, $85,000 in 2024, and $80,000 in 2023. Early childhood support is visible through a $515,000 grant in 2024 to Malaika Early Learning Center in Milwaukee. Faith-based ministry is another thread, including $409,000 to Paulist Fathers in 2023 and $115,000 to Catholic Relief Services in 2024. The portfolio also includes support for The Cardinal's Appeal across multiple years.
Typical grants fall in the middle of a wide range: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. The recent record shows both large multi-year commitments and many smaller charitable contributions, with repeated awards to several recipients across 2023 through 2025. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF or an individual-giving vehicle, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant descriptions are consistently labeled charitable contributions, with no application mechanism indicated in the provided data.
$3.5M
$31.4M
$1.7M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Notable grantees: Marquette University, Malaika Early Learning Center, Paulist Fathers
Giving is heavily concentrated in Wisconsin, which accounts for 87% of grants. Milwaukee is the main recipient city in the recent record, with additional grants to Madison, Manitowish Waters, and Prairie du Sac. Outside Wisconsin, the foundation gave to recipients in New York, Maryland, Texas, and Indiana. All reported grants in the dataset go to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants point to education, Catholic institutions, and community services. Marquette University, Christo Rey Jesuit High School, Malaika Early Learning Center, Paulist Fathers, Catholic Relief Services, and The Salvation Army all appear in the recent record, showing a mix of Jesuit, Catholic, early childhood, and local service organizations.
The grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards but includes major outliers. The 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $50,000, while some grants in the recent record reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Yes. Wisconsin is the top state by grant count, and 87% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Milwaukee appears frequently in the recent grants list, along with other Wisconsin cities such as Madison, Manitowish Waters, and Prairie du Sac.
Yes. Marquette University, The Cardinal's Appeal, The Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald Charities-eastern Wi, Christo Rey Jesuit High School, and University of Notre Dame all appear more than once across 2023 through 2025, which suggests recurring support for selected institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST PAUL THE APOSTLE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,275,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $336,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE CARDINAL'S APPEAL | NEW YORK, NY | $175,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CAMP ONE STEP | CHICAGO, IL | $170,100 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WOMENS CARE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $149,029 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES-EASTERN WI | MILWAUKEE, WI | $126,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CHILDREN'S WI FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $112,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $85,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PAULIST FATHERS | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | SOUTH BEND, IN | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WINMAN TRAILS FOUNDATION | MANITOWISH WATERS, WI | $57,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WISCONSIN EYE PUBLIC AFFAIRS NETWORK INC | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION CROSS TRAINERS ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATIVITY JESUIT MIDDLE SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $46,750 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $45,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $45,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | PEWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE PAPAL FOUNDATION | CHESTER, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| COURAGE MKE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| USO OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KATHY'S HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $22,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $22,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ST MARY'S PARISH | ELM GROVE, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WAUKESHA COUNTY CENTER FOR GROWTH | WAUKESHA, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| FOUNDATION FOR RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT | ST FRANCIS, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GREATER PRAISE COMM DEV CORP | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES | BALTIMORE, MD | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL - WAUKESHA | WAUKESHA, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| FISHER HOUSE WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| STARS AND STRIPES HONOR FLIGHT | MENOMONEE FALLS, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MIDWEST JESUITS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE | MANITOWISH WATERS, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ELMBROOK EDUCATION FOUNDATION CO ELMBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT | BROOKFIELD, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MW LAKES ASSOCIATION | MANITOWISH WATERS, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| OPERATION FINALLY HOME | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CUDWORTH AMERICAN LEGION POST 449 | BROOKFIELD, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NORTH LAKELAND DISCOVERY CENTER | MANITOWISH WATERS, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ELM GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT | ELM GROVE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME | ELM GROVE, WI | $4,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| POTAWATOMI AREA COUNCIL - BSA | WAUKESHA, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL | WAUKESHA, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WAFAPA CO AMY DAWSON TREASURER | SALEM, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER | BROOKFIELD, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| VALLEY OF OUR LADY MONASTERY | PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
ST PAUL THE APOSTLE
$1,275,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE CARDINAL'S APPEAL
$175,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WOMENS CARE CENTER
$149,029CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CHILDREN'S WI FOUNDATION
$112,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE SALVATION ARMY
$100,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$85,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PAULIST FATHERS
$75,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
$75,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WINMAN TRAILS FOUNDATION
$57,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WISCONSIN EYE PUBLIC AFFAIRS NETWORK INC
$50,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA
$50,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION CROSS TRAINERS ACADEMY
$50,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
NATIVITY JESUIT MIDDLE SCHOOL
$46,750CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$40,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE PAPAL FOUNDATION
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
COURAGE MKE
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
USO OF WISCONSIN
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KATHY'S HOUSE
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$22,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ST MARY'S PARISH
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WAUKESHA COUNTY CENTER FOR GROWTH
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
FOUNDATION FOR RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GREATER PRAISE COMM DEV CORP
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ST VINCENT DE PAUL - WAUKESHA
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
FISHER HOUSE WISCONSIN
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MIDWEST JESUITS
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ELMBROOK EDUCATION FOUNDATION CO ELMBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT
$6,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MW LAKES ASSOCIATION
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
OPERATION FINALLY HOME
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CUDWORTH AMERICAN LEGION POST 449
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ELM GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UNITED WAY OF GREATER MILWAUKEE
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME
$4,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
POTAWATOMI AREA COUNCIL - BSA
$4,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WAFAPA CO AMY DAWSON TREASURER
$3,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER
$2,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
VALLEY OF OUR LADY MONASTERY
$2,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION