The Gardner Foundation concentrates its giving on Greater Milwaukee nonprofits, providing unrestricted operating support across safety-net services, arts and cultural institutions, and youth education programs. Grants are typically modest but recurring, supporting food security, emergency shelter/recovery services, local arts organizations, and programs that advance school readiness and college access. The foundation favors established local organizations and funds a mix of direct service providers and cultural institutions that serve broad community needs.
Gardner Foundation’s recent giving centers on unrestricted operating support for Milwaukee organizations serving basic needs and community access. Across the latest grants listed, the foundation repeatedly backs emergency food providers, shelter and recovery programs, arts institutions, and youth-serving nonprofits, all with modest awards that help cover ongoing expenses rather than one-time projects. That pattern is visible in repeated support for Hunger Task Force Inc and The Gathering, each receiving $10,000 in multiple recent years for operating expenses. Milwaukee Rescue Mission also appears as a recurring recipient, with grants of $7,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for operating expenses. The foundation’s mix of grantees suggests a focus on local organizations that provide direct services or preserve access to community resources, from hunger relief and homelessness services to cultural and educational programs. It also extends operating support to institutions such as Pabst Mansion and Arts at Large, showing that the portfolio reaches beyond safety-net services into Milwaukee’s civic and cultural fabric.
In hunger relief, Gardner Foundation supported Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin with $10,000 in 2023 and again in 2025 for operating expenses, alongside repeat support for Hunger Task Force Inc. Homelessness and crisis services are another clear area: The Gathering received $10,000 in 2023, $10,000 in 2024, and $5,000 in 2025, all for operating expenses, while Hope House of Milwaukee Inc received $5,000 in 2023 and 2024. The foundation also funds youth and family support. Walkers Point Youth & Family Center received $5,500 in 2025, and St Marcus School received $5,000 in 2025. In health-related support, Ascension Wisconsin Foundation received $5,000 in 2024 and 2025.
Typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $3,000, the median is $4,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent grants list shows repeat awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including several three-year patterns, which points to ongoing support rather than one-off giving. The foundation funds nonprofit organizations and appears to favor operating support, with grants consistently labeled for operating expenses. It also does not fund individuals and makes no program-related investments.
$233K
$1.6M
$422K
$255K
Most grants fall between $3K and $5K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$5K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated local giving characterized by many small-to-midsize, repeat grants that predominantly fund operating expenses; the foundation spreads support across multiple sectors but consistently renews commitments to core Milwaukee organizations.
Notable grantees: Hunger Task Force Inc, Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Milwaukee Art Museum, College Possible Milwaukee, Meta House
Gardner Foundation gives locally and all of its grants in the data go to Wisconsin recipients. Milwaukee is the main recipient city, with additional grants landing in West Allis and Wauwatosa. Examples include West Allis recipients such as Hear Wisconsin Inc and the Center for Deaf-blind Persons Inc, plus Wauwatosa-based The Salvation Army and Versity Blood Research Institute. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 165 grants in the United States.
The recent grants are consistently labeled operating expenses, and the foundation’s stated philosophy emphasizes general operating support, overhead support, unrestricted support, and organizational sustainability. That points to flexible funding for staffing, facilities, and other ongoing costs rather than restricted project grants.
Typical awards are modest. The 25th percentile is $3,000, the median is $4,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Recent grants commonly fall in that range, with several awards at $5,000 and a smaller set at $7,000 or $10,000.
The data shows a local geographic scope, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Wisconsin. Recent recipients are in Milwaukee, West Allis, and Wauwatosa, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Hunger relief, homelessness and shelter services, arts and cultural institutions, youth education, and health-related support appear repeatedly. The recent list includes multiple grants to organizations serving food security, crisis shelter, youth programming, and community arts access.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, showing recurring support. Examples in the recent list include multiple-year awards to organizations such as Milwaukee Rescue Mission, The Gathering, Hope House of Milwaukee Inc, and Ascension Wisconsin Foundation.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HUNGER TASK FORCE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| GRAND AVENUE CLUB | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PATHFINDERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WALKERS POINT YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ARTS & DESIG | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,600 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SHEPHERDS MINISTRIES | UNION GROVE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ASCENSION WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SE WI | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WISCONSIN LUTHER CHILD & FAMILY SER | GERMANTOWN, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BEYOND VISION | WEST ALLIS, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LA CAUSA INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HEAR WISCONSIN INC | WEST ALLIS, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ALVERNO COLLEGE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WELLPOINT CARE NETWORK | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE GUEST HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| VERSITY BLOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE | WAUWATOSA, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ST MARCUS SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| NEXT ACT THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| VISION FORWARD ASSOCIATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LUTHERAN COUNSELING AND FAMILY SERV | WAUWATOSA, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CENTER FOR DEAF BLIND PERSONS INC | WEST ALLIS, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| META HOUSE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CIVIC MUSIC ASSC OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| RIVEREDGE NATURE CENTER | NEWBURG, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE BALLET | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE TENNIS EDUCATION FUND | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SECUREFUTURES FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| KINGDOM WORKERS | WAUKESHA, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| DISCOVERY WORLD | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO M | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| AWE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| FIRST STAGE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BROADSCOPE DISABILITY SVC INC | GREENFIELD, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PLAYWORKS EDUCATION ENERGIZED | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE FLORENTINE OPERA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ST ANTHONY SCHOOL MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CORE EL CENTRO | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
PATHFINDERS
$7,000OPERATING EXPENSES
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$7,000OPERATING EXPENSES
OPERATING EXPENSES
ASCENSION WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SE WI
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES
WISCONSIN LUTHER CHILD & FAMILY SER
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES
ALVERNO COLLEGE
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES
ST MARCUS SCHOOL
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES
VISION FORWARD ASSOCIATION
$4,000OPERATING EXPENSES
LUTHERAN COUNSELING AND FAMILY SERV
$3,500OPERATING EXPENSES
CENTER FOR DEAF BLIND PERSONS INC
$3,500OPERATING EXPENSES
CIVIC MUSIC ASSC OF MILWAUKEE
$3,500OPERATING EXPENSES
MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
MILWAUKEE TENNIS EDUCATION FUND
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
DISCOVERY WORLD
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
AWE
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
BROADSCOPE DISABILITY SVC INC
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
PLAYWORKS EDUCATION ENERGIZED
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL MILWAUKEE
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES
RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN
$3,000OPERATING EXPENSES