The Four-Four Foundation concentrates almost all of its giving on education and a small set of cultural organizations, favoring large, unrestricted gifts to private schools and higher‑education institutions as well as significant support for performing arts and historic preservation in Milwaukee. Its grantmaking is highly concentrated—two recipients (University Lake School and Dartmouth College) account for the vast majority of dollars—and it shows repeat support for at least one independent day/boarding school.
Very concentrated, large-dollar grants to a handful of organizations; repeat multi-year support for select grantees; emphasis on unrestricted/general exempt purpose funding rather than many small grants.
Four-four Foundation Inc C/o Bessemer Trust Company Na’s two largest 2025 grants reveal how concentrated its giving is: $15,891,170 to University Lake School in Hartland, Wisconsin, and $15,834,170 to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Those awards alone account for most of the foundation’s recent dollars, and they fit a broader pattern of large, broad-purpose support for independent schools and higher education. Alongside those education gifts, the foundation has also backed Milwaukee cultural and civic institutions with general exempt purpose grants, including the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Historic Haymarket Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Public Museum, and the Milwaukee Art Museum. Its portfolio shows repeat support across multiple years for some recipients, rather than one-off gifts only. The pattern is not limited to education: the grant list also includes support for health, conservation, and community-serving organizations such as Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Inc, Highlands Center for Natural History, Versiti Blood Research Institute, and Penfield Children's Center. Across the record, the common thread is flexible, unrestricted support rather than tightly targeted project funding.
Education is the clearest through line. The foundation gave $15,891,170 to University Lake School for general exempt purpose, then continued with additional support in later years, including $468,000 in 2024 and $467,000 in 2023. Higher education also appears at scale through Dartmouth College’s $15,834,170 grant for general exempt purpose. Beyond schooling, the foundation has funded Milwaukee’s arts ecosystem: Milwaukee Repertory Theatre received $1,230,000 in 2024, plus $275,000 in 2025 and $230,000 in 2023. Cultural heritage is another visible theme, with $1,000,000 to Historic Haymarket Milwaukee for general exempt purpose. Smaller but recurring gifts to Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Skylight Music Theatre reinforce the same broad support pattern.
Typical grants are modest relative to the largest awards: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $25,000. The distribution is highly skewed, with a small number of very large grants carrying most dollars. Recurring support is visible in the record, including multiple-year gifts to University Lake School, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Inc, and Versiti Blood Research Institute. The foundation is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants in the dataset are described as general exempt purpose or broadly flexible support.
$2.3M
$15.9M
$1.4M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 4% of grants go to recipients in WI.
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Notable grantees: University Lake School, Dartmouth College, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Historic Haymarket Milwaukee
Giving is national, but the grant record is concentrated in Wisconsin. The top state by grant count is WI, and only 4% of grants go to recipients in New York, the headquarters state. Milwaukee appears repeatedly through grants to Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Historic Haymarket Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Museum, Versiti Blood Research Institute, and Milwaukee Art Museum. Outside Wisconsin, the largest named recipient location in the list is Hanover, New Hampshire, and the dataset also includes grants to Hartland, Wisconsin, Bethesda, Maryland, and Prescott, Arizona. All recorded grants in the sample go to US recipients.
The record is centered on education and a smaller set of cultural organizations. Recent grants include large support for University Lake School and Dartmouth College, plus Milwaukee-area funding for the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Historic Haymarket Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Public Museum, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
The grant descriptions are consistently broad. Recent awards are labeled general exempt purpose, and the summary describes flexible, unrestricted support and general operating support rather than tightly targeted project funding.
Yes. University Lake School appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Milwaukee Repertory Theatre appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Inc appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Versiti Blood Research Institute appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The distribution is small for most grants, with p25 at $5,000, median at $10,000, and p75 at $25,000. The overall dollar total is driven by a few very large awards.
Wisconsin receives the highest share of grants by count, with Milwaukee appearing repeatedly among recipients. Only 4% of grants go to recipients in New York, even though the foundation’s headquarters is in New York, NY.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VERSITI BLOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $267,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HIGHLANDS CENTER FOR NATURAL HISTORY | PRESCOTT, AZ | $187,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AZ COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $175,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $156,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $135,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $85,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ARTISTS WORKING IN EDUCATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $77,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ALL HANDS BOATWORKS INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $77,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY LAKE SCHOOL | HARTLAND, WI | $69,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TALL PINES CONSERVANCY | NASHOTAH, WI | $62,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $58,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PENFIELD CHILDREN'S CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FAMILY HEART CAMP | MADISON, WI | $36,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNITED PERFORMING ARTS FUND | MILWAUKEE, WI | $33,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD - ARIZONA | PHOENIX, AZ | $31,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SOJOURNER FAMILY PEACE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $26,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MOM'S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE | CEDARBURG, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NOTRE DAME MIDDLE SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| LITERACY SERVICES OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $24,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $23,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CITY FORWARD COLLECTIVE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $23,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ECOLOGY LEARNING CENTER | UNITY, ME | $22,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE WOMEN'S CENTER | WAUKESHA, WI | $21,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OZAUKEE-WASHINGTON LAND TRUST | WEST BEND, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $19,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TEN CHIMNEYS FOUNDATION | GENESEE DEPOT, WI | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MILWAUKEE BALLET | MILWAUKEE, WI | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HOMELESS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION OF IRC | INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FL | $17,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $16,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OREGON WILD | PORTLAND, OR | $16,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $16,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP MANITO-WISH YMCA | BOULDER JUNCTION, WI | $14,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CASCADIA WILDLANDS | EUGENE, OR | $14,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| USA FOR UNFPA | NEW YORK NY, NY | $12,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PROHEALTH CARE FOUNDATION (ANGELS GRACE HOSPICE) | WAUKESHA, WI | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WUWM MILWAUKEE PUBLIC RADIO | MILWAUKEE, WI | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MILWAUKEE PBS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS | HANOVER, NH | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OLD WORLD WISCONSIN FOUNDATION INC | EAGLE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC INDIAN RIVER FOUNDATION | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
VERSITI BLOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$267,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
AZ COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$175,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN INC
$135,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATRE
$85,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ALL HANDS BOATWORKS INC
$77,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
FAMILY HEART CAMP
$36,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
MOM'S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NOTRE DAME MIDDLE SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
LITERACY SERVICES OF WISCONSIN
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$23,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ECOLOGY LEARNING CENTER
$22,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
TEN CHIMNEYS FOUNDATION
$18,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
HOMELESS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION OF IRC
$17,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$16,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OREGON WILD
$16,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER
$16,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
USA FOR UNFPA
$12,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
PROHEALTH CARE FOUNDATION (ANGELS GRACE HOSPICE)
$11,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WUWM MILWAUKEE PUBLIC RADIO
$11,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
MILWAUKEE PBS
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OLD WORLD WISCONSIN FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
CLEVELAND CLINIC INDIAN RIVER FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE