The Francie Luke Silverman Foundation appears to support local, hands-on environmental and children’s education programming, as evidenced by a single grant to a botanical garden for children's education sessions in Appleton, WI. Their giving, at least in this sample, is locally focused and programmatic, prioritizing experiential nature education for youth.
A defining feature of the Francie Luke Silverman Foundation Under the F Silverman Charitable Tr is its repeated support for children’s nature and plant-science learning in Wisconsin. One of the largest recent grants went to Friends of Botanical Garden for children’s education sessions, and similar work appears again in grants to Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc for children’s plant science and environmental education. That pattern places experiential learning at the center of the foundation’s giving. The foundation also backs youth enrichment beyond environmental education. Girls Rock Camp Madison received support for a summer camp, while Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Inc received funding for community partnership programs and financial aid. Those grants show an interest in structured out-of-school experiences that combine access with participation. Alongside youth programming, the foundation supports practical community services. Recent grants include disaster cycle services in Wisconsin through the American Red Cross of Wisconsin, operating support for Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement Inc, and assistance for students at St. Lawrence Seminary. The overall profile points to a local Wisconsin funder with a mix of education, enrichment, and community support priorities.
Children’s environmental learning is a clear theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $25,000 to Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc for children’s plant science and environmental education, and $22,000 to the same organization for K-12 children’s nature education. Earlier, Friends of Botanical Garden received $52,000 for children’s education sessions. Youth arts and enrichment also appear in the grant record. Girls Rock Camp Madison received $19,000 for its summer camp in 2025 and $16,000 for summer camp in 2024, while Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Inc was funded for community partnership programs and financial aid. The foundation additionally supports services tied to health, literacy, and emergency response. American Red Cross of Wisconsin received grants for disaster cycle services in Wisconsin, Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement Inc received general operating support, and Meta House received support for a drug treatment program.
$545K
$12.8M
$937K
$839K
Most grants fall between $5K and $8K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$8K
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Highly concentrated and local: a single, modestly sized program grant rather than multiple grantees or broad geographic distribution.
Notable grantees: Friends of Botanical Garden
Typical awards are modest and repeatable: the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile are $5,000, $5,000, and $8,000. The recent-grant record shows both one-off and recurring support. Some organizations appear in multiple years, including Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc, Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement Inc, Girls Rock Camp Madison, and the American Red Cross of Wisconsin. The foundation is structured as a charitable trust and also funds individuals. Program-related investments are not part of the reported activity.
Grantmaking is entirely in Wisconsin, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the home state and Wisconsin also ranking first by grant count. The recipient map is concentrated in Milwaukee and nearby communities such as Hales Corners, West Allis, Madison, River Hills, Mt Calvary, and Appleton. Milwaukee appears frequently in the recent grants list, alongside multiple grants in Madison and Hales Corners.
The recent grants point to children’s environmental education, youth enrichment, literacy, disaster response, and human services. Examples include botanical garden education sessions, summer camp support, disaster cycle services in Wisconsin, and operating support for audio and braille literacy work.
Yes. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, and 100% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin. The recent grant list includes Milwaukee, Madison, Hales Corners, West Allis, River Hills, Mt Calvary, and Appleton.
The reported grant-size distribution is tightly clustered: p25 is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and p75 is $8,000. The recent grants also show larger awards, but many individual grants fall in the $5,000 to $8,000 range.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc, Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement Inc, Girls Rock Camp Madison, and the American Red Cross of Wisconsin. That pattern suggests recurring support for some organizations.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, and the recent grants also include support tied to students, such as financial assistance for students at St. Lawrence Seminary.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | DISASTER CYCLE SERVICES IN WISCONSIN |
| FRIENDS OF BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS INC (FBBG) | HALES COMERS, WI | $47,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PLANT SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION |
| GIRLS ROCK CAMP MADISON | MADISON, WI | $21,500 | 2026 | GIRLS ROCK CAMP MADISON SUMMER CAMP |
| AUDIO & BRAILLE LITERACY ENHANCEMENT INC (ABLE) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $21,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $19,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS & FINANCIAL AID |
| FRIENDS OF THE MITCHELL GALLERY OF FLIGHT | MILWAUKEE, WI | $18,000 | 2026 | WINGS TO GROW OUR FUTURE |
| HHM - HISTORIC HAYMARKET MILWAUKEE CO MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $17,000 | 2026 | WISCONSIN WONDERS |
| GUARDIAN WHISKERS | MADISON, WI | $16,000 | 2026 | BOOK BUDDIES READINE- PRO&1:RAM & TARADIDDLE YOUTH WRITING CONTESTS |
| HEAR WISCONSIN | WESTALLIS, WI | $14,000 | 2026 | EMPOWERING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH HEARING LOSS |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $13,000 | 2026 | VIOLINS OF HOPE WISCONSIN |
| CONGREGATION EMANU-EL B'NE JESHURUN | RIVER HILLS, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | THE MISSION IS THE KITCHEN: REFRESHING THE KITCHEN AT CEEBJ |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | FRANCIE H. LUKE SILVERMAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP & FOLEY COLLECTIVE |
| BLACK ARTS MKE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | BLACK ARTS MKE - ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING |
| META HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $9,000 | 2026 | COMPREHENSIVE SSERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN |
| ST LAWRENCE SEMINARY A MINISTRY OF THE PROVINCE OF ST JOSEPH OF THE CAPUC | MT CALVARY, WI | $9,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND ST. LAWRENCE SEMINARY |
| DEKOVEN CENTER INC | RACINE, WI | $9,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ACTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | WAUWATOSA, WI | $8,000 | 2026 | THE EMERGENCY LODGE HOMELESS SHELTER |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR MARQUETTE JOURNALISM STUDENTS |
| ACTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (ACTS HOUSING) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM |
| ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | ACCESS MKE ZOO |
| BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | AFTER-SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM |
| BEYOND VISION INC | WEST ALLIS, WI | $6,500 | 2026 | GROW BEYOND VISION |
| META HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,500 | 2026 | 450 (300 WOMEN AND 150 CHILDREN) |
| CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | LIFE LESSONS THROUGH MUSIC |
| PORTAL INC | GRAFTON, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | ALL ABILITIES, THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| UWM FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | GRADUATE STUDENT EXCELLENCE FUND |
| SERVING OLDER ADULTS OF SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LNC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR OLDER ADULTS |
| WISCONSIN ADAPTIVE SPORTS ASSOCIATION | BROOKFIELD, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND INCLUSION EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| WISCONSIN VETERANS NETWORK (VETSNET) | WEST ALLIS, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | VITAL SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND VETERAN FAMILIES |
| MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART AND DESIGN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | MIAD'S YOUTH + COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| LEMONS OF LOVE | PLYMOUTH, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | HEALING GARDEN |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BENEDICT CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | WOMEN'S HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM |
| MILWAUKEE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF WISCONSIN TNC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | PETS FOR LIFE |
| MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE |
| JOURNEY HOUSE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | THRIVE STEAM FORWARD PROERAM |
| IMAGINE MKE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| PORTAL INC | GRAFTON, WI | $4,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND ENGAGEMENT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WISCONSIN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SILVER SPRING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | FOOD SECURITY ON MILWAUKEE'S NORTHWEST SIDE |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | MEALS, SHELTER, & RECOVERY PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS SHELTER |
| VISION FORWARD ASSOCIATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | EXPANDING VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES |
| SOJOURNER FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHCOTT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | "TIS THE SEASON" |
| BEYOND VISION INC | WEST ALLIS, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | TRAINING & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| CORE EL CENTRO | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | INTEGRATIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM |
| MILWAUKEE WOMEN'S CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | MILWAUKEE WOMEN'S CENTER EMERGENCY SHELTER |
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF WISCONSIN
$50,000DISASTER CYCLE SERVICES IN WISCONSIN
FRIENDS OF BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS INC (FBBG)
$47,000CHILDREN'S PLANT SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
GIRLS ROCK CAMP MADISON
$21,500GIRLS ROCK CAMP MADISON SUMMER CAMP
AUDIO & BRAILLE LITERACY ENHANCEMENT INC (ABLE)
$21,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS & FINANCIAL AID
FRIENDS OF THE MITCHELL GALLERY OF FLIGHT
$18,000WINGS TO GROW OUR FUTURE
WISCONSIN WONDERS
GUARDIAN WHISKERS
$16,000BOOK BUDDIES READINE- PRO&1:RAM & TARADIDDLE YOUTH WRITING CONTESTS
CONGREGATION EMANU-EL B'NE JESHURUN
$10,000THE MISSION IS THE KITCHEN: REFRESHING THE KITCHEN AT CEEBJ
FRANCIE H. LUKE SILVERMAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP & FOLEY COLLECTIVE
ST LAWRENCE SEMINARY A MINISTRY OF THE PROVINCE OF ST JOSEPH OF THE CAPUC
$9,000FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND ST. LAWRENCE SEMINARY
DEKOVEN CENTER INC
$9,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ACTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
$8,500GENERAL OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$8,000THE EMERGENCY LODGE HOMELESS SHELTER
ACTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (ACTS HOUSING)
$7,500EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE
$7,000ACCESS MKE ZOO
CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF MILWAUKEE
$6,000LIFE LESSONS THROUGH MUSIC
PORTAL INC
$6,000ALL ABILITIES, THRIVING COMMUNITIES
HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR OLDER ADULTS
WISCONSIN ADAPTIVE SPORTS ASSOCIATION
$5,000ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND INCLUSION EDUCATION PROGRAM
WISCONSIN VETERANS NETWORK (VETSNET)
$5,000VITAL SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND VETERAN FAMILIES
LEMONS OF LOVE
$5,000HEALING GARDEN
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
BENEDICT CENTER
$5,000WOMEN'S HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM
MILWAUKEE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF WISCONSIN TNC
$5,000GENERAL FUND
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
JOURNEY HOUSE INC
$5,000THRIVE STEAM FORWARD PROERAM
IMAGINE MKE INC
$5,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
PORTAL INC
$4,500COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND ENGAGEMENT
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$4,000MEALS, SHELTER, & RECOVERY PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS SHELTER
MILWAUKEE WOMEN'S CENTER INC
$4,000MILWAUKEE WOMEN'S CENTER EMERGENCY SHELTER