The George Kress Foundation concentrates its giving on local community infrastructure and cultural projects in the Green Bay / northeast Wisconsin area, prioritizing tangible capital projects that serve families and preserve local heritage. Grants are targeted and sizable, supporting recreational facilities and museum preservation that increase public access and community amenities. The foundation shows a preference for funding visible, place-based projects that benefit wide swaths of the local population, including repeat support to flagship initiatives.
George Kress Foundation Inc often backs capital campaigns that change how local residents use shared spaces: a $500,000 commitment to the Cornerstone Community Ice Center in Green Bay, another $500,000 to the Bay Beach all-inclusive playground, and $500,000 for the Door County Maritime Museum archives building. Those awards point to a consistent pattern of funding tangible facilities rather than short-term programming, with projects that affect families, visitors, and community institutions across northeast Wisconsin. The foundation’s recent grants show recurring support for place-based amenities that are open to the public or tied to broad community use. Green Bay Botanical Gardens received support for the Nature Nurtures campaign, while the National Railroad Museum, The Children’s Museum of Green Bay, and On Broadway Inc each appear in the recent list with capital-focused projects. In Door County, the foundation has also supported museum preservation and community gathering spaces through grants to Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek organizations. Its giving reaches beyond cultural assets as well. Recent awards include support for Syble Hopp School, Bellin Health Foundation, Adult & Teen Challenge Northeastern Wisconsin, and Golden House, showing that the foundation also funds services and facilities connected to education, health, recovery, and housing in the same local geography.
A major theme in the foundation’s portfolio is inclusive recreation. It awarded $500,000 to Friends of Bay Beach Inc for the Bay Beach all-inclusive playground, reflecting direct support for accessible play infrastructure in Green Bay. Another clear area is museums and cultural heritage. The foundation gave $500,000 to Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society Inc for the Door County Maritime Museum archives building, and it supported Peninsula Players Theatre Foundation Inc with gifts for the Act II campaign to protect and preserve the theater’s future. It also funds child and family-oriented community assets. The Children’s Museum of Green Bay received $250,000 for its Reaching New Heights campaign, while Green Bay Botanical Gardens received $250,000 for the Nature Nurtures campaign, including the Tree House Project. These grants fit a broader pattern of support for local facilities that serve children, families, and neighborhood visitors.
$4.6M
$20M
$6.4M
$4.8M
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Very concentrated: only a few, large capital grants (two to one organization), primarily one-time gifts for construction/expansion of local facilities; mix of repeat support to a flagship project and single large gifts to other community institutions.
Notable grantees: Friends of Bay Beach Inc, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society Inc
George Kress Foundation Inc gives in a mid- to high-capital range, with a typical grant size of $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows repeated installment-style support: several grantees appear in multiple years or with numbered payments, including Bay Beach, Bellin Health Foundation, Syble Hopp School, Door County YMCA Inc, and Adult & Teen Challenge Northeastern Wisconsin. That pattern suggests multi-year pledges are common. The foundation funds individuals and does not make program-related investments. No application process is stated in the provided data.
Giving is concentrated in Wisconsin, which accounts for 84% of grants, and the top grant recipient state is also WI. The heaviest cluster is in Green Bay, with additional awards in Sturgeon Bay, De Pere, and Fish Creek. Outside Wisconsin, one recent grant went to Lyte Collective in Chicago, Illinois. The overall recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 437 grants recorded in the United States.
The recent grants point to capital campaigns and facility projects, especially in public recreation, cultural heritage, and family-serving amenities. Examples include the Cornerstone Community Ice Center, the Bay Beach all-inclusive playground, and the Door County Maritime Museum archives building.
Yes. Several recent grants are labeled as payments in multi-part campaigns, including Bay Beach all-inclusive playground (payment 2 of 2), the Heart of the Community campaign at Door County YMCA Inc, and the In Full Embrace campaign at Bellin Health Foundation.
The typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger capital gifts, including multiple awards at $250,000 and $500,000.
Its grantmaking is centered in Wisconsin, which accounts for 84% of grants. Green Bay appears most often in the recent grants list, with additional Wisconsin recipients in Sturgeon Bay, De Pere, and Fish Creek.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and its recent grantmaking also includes organizations serving recovery and housing needs, such as Adult & Teen Challenge Northeastern Wisconsin and Journey to Adult Success.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF BAY BEACH INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | BAY BEACH ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND (PAYMENT 2 OF 2) |
| DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM & LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM ARCHIVES BUILDING |
| GREATER GREEN BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY ICE CENTER |
| CP INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $262,500 | 2025 | CP TELETHON PROGRAM SUPPORT & CENTER UPDATES |
| NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | FULL STEAM AHEAD (PAYMENT 1 OF 4) |
| THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF GREEN BAY | GREEN BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | REACHING NEW HEIGHTS CAMPAIGN |
| ON BROADWAY INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | THE PUBLIC MARKET CAMPAIGN |
| GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDENS | GREEN BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | NATURE NURTURES CAMPAIGN (3 OF 4) |
| BELLIN HEALTH FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | IN FULL EMBRACE-NICU CAMPAIGN (3 OF 4) |
| THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE | GREEN BAY, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE |
| ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN | GREEN BAY, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR MEN (PAYMENT 2 OF 2) |
| THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE | GREEN BAY, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE (PAYMENT 1 OF 3) |
| CURATIVE CONNECTIONS | GREEN BAY, WI | $80,000 | 2025 | YESTER YEAR VILLAGE CAMPAIGN (3 OF 3) |
| FRIENDS OF PALS YOUTH AND FAMILIES INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | BROWN COUNTY FAMILY CENTER |
| BROWN COUNTY UNITED WAY | GREEN BAY, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | UNITED WAY ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | MAKING COLLEGE POSSIBLE |
| CESA 7 | GREEN BAY, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. |
| GREATER GREEN BAY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | GREEN BAY, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | RESTORE TRUCK |
| BRAIN CENTER OF GREEN BAY INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | OUTREACH PROGRAMS/EVENT SPONSOR/LEGACY FUND |
| FRIENDS WISCONSIN STATE PARKS | REEDSBURG, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | UPGRADE FOX RIVER TRAIL (PAYMENT 2 OF 2) |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOL COUNTS | MORRILTON, AR | $33,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS (PAYMENT 2 OF 3) |
| FAMILY SERVICES OF NORTHEAST WI | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | GREEN & GOLD GALA |
| NEVILLE PUBLIC MUSEUM FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | NEVILLE PUBLIC MUSEUM FOUNDATION - 2025 EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS |
| GREEN BAY AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | GBAPS EDUCATION FOUNDATION |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | CRITICAL ANIMAL CARE |
| GREATER GREEN BAY YMCA INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | YMCA ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATIONS HEALTH & WHOLENESS INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | ETHICS IN ACTION HONORS EVENT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER GREEN BAY | GREEN BAY, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREATER GREEN BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $21,503 | 2025 | GIVE BIG GREEN BAY |
| BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION | HOBART, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC |
| GREATER GREEN BAY CHAMBER FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS 2024 |
| DOWNTOWN GREEN BAY CHARITIES INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $17,500 | 2025 | ARTFEST GREEN BAY CO-SPONSORSHIP |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WI INC - GREATER GREEN BAY AREA | DE PERE, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT GREATER GB |
| FREEDOM HOUSE MINISTRIES INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CELLCOM GREEN BAY MARATHON | GREEN BAY, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | CELLCOM GREEN BAY MARATHON SPONSOR |
| FOOD ON THE MOVE INC | TULSA, OK | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD ON THE MOVE |
| US VENTURE OPEN | APPLETON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | U.S. VENTURE OPEN |
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND - SPIRIT OF CHILDREN | EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ | $15,000 | 2025 | SPIRIT OF CHILDREN 1026012 |
| COLLEGEREADY | GREEN BAY, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | LAMP OF KNOWLEDGE |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHEAST WISCONSIN | GREEN BAY, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | MISSION PARTNER |
| UNITED WAY KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $14,000 | 2025 | 2024 CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION | HOBART, WI | $12,500 | 2025 | CHANTICLEER CONCERT PRESENTED BY BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION |
| BELLIN HEALTH FOUNDATION | GREEN BAY, WI | $12,000 | 2025 | BELLIN RUN GOLD SPONSOR |
| RAWHIDE BOYS RANCH | NEW LONDON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | RAWHIDE YOUTH SERVICES |
| INTERNATIONAL CORRUGATED PACKAGING FOUNDATION | ITASCA, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | CIRCLE OF DISTINGUISHED LEADERS-PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF MARATHON COUNTY | WAUSAU, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNITED WAY ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| NEW NORTH | GREEN BAY, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | INVEST IN COLLABORATION |
| NASHVILLE COACHING COALITION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | NASHVILLE COACHING COALITION |
| ASHWAUBENON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - ASHWAUBENON SCHOOL DISTRICT | GREEN BAY, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP TO SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS |
| ROTARY FOUNDATION OF GREEN BAY INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FEA, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND GRANTS |
FRIENDS OF BAY BEACH INC
$500,000BAY BEACH ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND (PAYMENT 2 OF 2)
DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM & LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC
$500,000DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM ARCHIVES BUILDING
CP INC
$262,500CP TELETHON PROGRAM SUPPORT & CENTER UPDATES
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS CAMPAIGN
GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDENS
$250,000NATURE NURTURES CAMPAIGN (3 OF 4)
THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE
$100,000THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE
ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN
$100,000RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR MEN (PAYMENT 2 OF 2)
THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE
$100,000THE GATEWAY COLLECTIVE (PAYMENT 1 OF 3)
CURATIVE CONNECTIONS
$80,000YESTER YEAR VILLAGE CAMPAIGN (3 OF 3)
FRIENDS OF PALS YOUTH AND FAMILIES INC
$75,000BROWN COUNTY FAMILY CENTER
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC
$50,000MAKING COLLEGE POSSIBLE
CESA 7
$50,000SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH LITERACY DEVELOPMENT.
FRIENDS WISCONSIN STATE PARKS
$50,000UPGRADE FOX RIVER TRAIL (PAYMENT 2 OF 2)
ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOL COUNTS
$33,000PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS (PAYMENT 2 OF 3)
NEVILLE PUBLIC MUSEUM FOUNDATION - 2025 EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS
GREEN BAY AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$30,000GBAPS EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION
$20,000BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC
GREATER GREEN BAY CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$20,000GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS 2024
DOWNTOWN GREEN BAY CHARITIES INC
$17,500ARTFEST GREEN BAY CO-SPONSORSHIP
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT GREATER GB
FREEDOM HOUSE MINISTRIES INC
$15,000ANNUAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
CELLCOM GREEN BAY MARATHON
$15,000CELLCOM GREEN BAY MARATHON SPONSOR
US VENTURE OPEN
$15,000U.S. VENTURE OPEN
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND - SPIRIT OF CHILDREN
$15,000SPIRIT OF CHILDREN 1026012
COLLEGEREADY
$15,000LAMP OF KNOWLEDGE
UNITED WAY KALAMAZOO
$14,0002024 CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION
$12,500CHANTICLEER CONCERT PRESENTED BY BROWN COUNTY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION
INTERNATIONAL CORRUGATED PACKAGING FOUNDATION
$10,000CIRCLE OF DISTINGUISHED LEADERS-PROGRAM SUPPORT
NASHVILLE COACHING COALITION
$10,000NASHVILLE COACHING COALITION
ASHWAUBENON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - ASHWAUBENON SCHOOL DISTRICT
$10,000SPONSORSHIP TO SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS
ROTARY FOUNDATION OF GREEN BAY INC
$10,000FEA, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND GRANTS