The Hartwig Family Foundation concentrates its giving locally in and around Appleton, WI, making a handful of large, one-off grants to civic and community institutions. Their support favors cultural assets (visual arts, public library), child health, local faith-based education, and community services that serve everyday life transitions (cemetery/bereavement). Grants are sizable and targeted rather than numerous, suggesting a strategy of making meaningful single gifts to key local organizations.
Hartwig Family Foundation Inc gives locally and repeatedly to institutions that shape daily life in the Appleton area. The largest recent gifts in the record went to Riverside Cemetery Association and Trout Museum of Art, each at $100,000 in 2024, showing a pattern of meaningful, single-purpose support for community assets rather than broad, dispersed grantmaking. Alongside those awards, the foundation has backed Appleton Public Library with an unrestricted $100,000 grant and supported Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin with $100,000 in 2023, linking cultural, civic, and child-serving priorities within a compact geographic footprint. Its recent grants also include support for local historical organizations, a performing arts center, a community center for aging adults, and faith-based education in Appleton. The recurring appearance of the same local institutions across multiple years suggests a funder that returns to familiar organizations with substantial grants instead of making many small awards. Overall, the foundation’s profile is shaped by targeted giving to nearby nonprofits that maintain cultural heritage, public access, health, and community support services.
Cultural heritage and the arts are a clear thread in the foundation’s grant history. In 2024, it gave $100,000 to Trout Museum of Art for promoting the visual arts, and another $60,000 to History Museum at the Castle for exhibition, education, and collections related to Fox Valley history. Public-facing arts programming also appears in support for Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, which received $20,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024. The foundation also funds child and teen behavioral health. Catalpa Health received $20,000 in 2023 and $20,000 in 2024 for mental health care to children and teens, while Nami - Fox Valley received $25,000 in 2023 and $20,000 in 2024 to support those affected by mental illness. Education and building upkeep are another pattern, with St Francis Xavier receiving $68,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2024, and $25,000 in 2024 for education and maintenance purposes.
Typical grants cluster at a relatively high level: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $18,750. The recent record also shows many gifts above that range, including repeated awards of $20,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 to the same organizations in different years. That pattern points to selective, recurring support rather than one-off microgrants. The foundation is an independent family foundation, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. Recent grants include both unrestricted charitable support and purpose-restricted awards tied to capital, maintenance, education, and direct service.
$713K
$7.4M
$272K
$750K
Most grants fall between $5K and $19K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$19K
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Concentrated local giving: few (5) relatively large grants that fully exhaust annual giving, primarily one-time or non-restricted awards to established community organizations rather than many small or national grants.
Notable grantees: Trout Museum of Art, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Friends of Appleton Public Library, Riverside Cemetery Association, St. Francis Xavier
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Wisconsin, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Appleton is the main center of activity, appearing repeatedly across arts, education, health, and community-service grants. Other Wisconsin recipient cities in the recent record include Milwaukee, where Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin received support, and Little Chute, home to Little Chute Windmill Association. Menasha appears in a capital-campaign grant to New 2023 Samaritan Inc, showing that giving extends beyond Appleton while staying within the same local region.
Recent grants show support for arts and museums, public library and literacy work, child health, mental health care for children and teens, faith-based education, aging-adult services, and cemetery or bereavement services. Examples in the record include arts, health, education, and community-serving nonprofits in Appleton and nearby Wisconsin cities.
The distribution is fairly sizable: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $18,750. The recent grants list also includes larger recurring awards such as $20,000, $25,000, $50,000, $60,000, and $100,000.
It returns to the same organizations across years. St Francis Xavier appears in 2023 and 2024, Fox Valley Lutheran appears in 2023 and 2024, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin appears in 2023 and 2024, and several other recipients also repeat with multiple grants.
Its giving is local and entirely within Wisconsin in the provided record. Appleton is the most frequent recipient city, with additional grants to Milwaukee, Little Chute, and Menasha.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals as well as organizations, alongside its grants to nonprofits and community institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER | APPLETON, WI | $200,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| RIVERSIDE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION | APPLETON, WI | $75,000 | 2026 | CHAPEL CONSTRUCTION |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER FUND | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FOX VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | NEENAH, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| LITTLE CHUTE WINDMILL ASSOCIATION | LITTLE CHUTE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | APPLETON, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MARY BETH NIENHAUS ACTIVITY CENTER | APPLETON, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CATALPA HEALTH | APPLETON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ST PAUL ELDER SERVICES - PROVIDENCE | KAUKAUNA, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| YMCA OF THE FOX CITIES | APPLETON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | APPLETON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER FOUNDATION | APPLETON, WI | $12,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| HEARTHSTONE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| LEAVEN | MENASHA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SPIERINGS CANCER FOUNDATION | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SISTERS OF ST FRANCIS OF THE HOLY CROSS | GREEN BAY, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SAMARITAN INC | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FOX VALLEY SYMPHONY | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| TROUT MUSEUM OF ART | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH TRANSITIONAL SERVICES | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BUILDING FOR KIDS | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ST JOSEPH FOOD PROGRAM INC | MENASHA, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BUBOLZ NATURE PRESERVE | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SOAR FOX CITIES | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET | MENASHA, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| PILLARS | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOX VALLEY | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| HARBOR HOUSE | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| WOMEN'S FUND FOR THE FOX VALLEY REGION | APPLETON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | NEENAH, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FOX VALLEY MEMORY PROJECT | MENASHA, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ASCENSION WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | BROOKFIELD, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SPIRITUS MINISTRIES | MENASHA, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| EXCEPTIONAL EQUESTRIANS | DE PERE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| YOU BELONG WISCONSIN | APPLETON, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FRIENDS OF APPLETON PUBLIC LIBRARY | APPLETON, WI | $100,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| TROUT MUSEUM OF ART | APPLETON, WI | $100,000 | 2024 | FURTHER PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THE VISUAL ARTS |
| RIVERSIDE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION | APPLETON, WI | $100,000 | 2024 | OUR GOAL IS FOR THE BREAVED IS TO MAKE A DIFFICULT TIME IN LIFE AS EASY AS POSSIBLE |
| HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE | APPLETON, WI | $60,000 | 2024 | TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO DISCOVER AND APPRECIATE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE FOX VALLEY THROUGH EXHIBITION, EDUCATION, AND COLLECTIONS. |
| APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | PROMOTE EDUCATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | DEDICATED SOLELY TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER FUND | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL |
| THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTER | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | FURTHER PURPOSE OF ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE OF AGING ADULTS |
| LITTLE CHUTE WINDMILL ASSOCIATION | LITTLE CHUTE, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | MAINTAIN AND OPERATE AN AUTHENTIC DUTCH WINDMILL FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR ALL AGES |
| HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO DISCOVER AND APPRECIATE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE FOX VALLEY THROUGH EXHIBITION, EDUCATION, AND COLLECTIONS. |
ST FRANCIS XAVIER
$200,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
RIVERSIDE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
$75,000CHAPEL CONSTRUCTION
ST FRANCIS XAVIER FUND
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
FOX VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
LITTLE CHUTE WINDMILL ASSOCIATION
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ST PAUL ELDER SERVICES - PROVIDENCE
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ST FRANCIS XAVIER FOUNDATION
$12,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
HEARTHSTONE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SPIERINGS CANCER FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SISTERS OF ST FRANCIS OF THE HOLY CROSS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SAMARITAN INC
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
FOX VALLEY SYMPHONY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
BUILDING FOR KIDS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
BUBOLZ NATURE PRESERVE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
WOMEN'S FUND FOR THE FOX VALLEY REGION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ASCENSION WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SPIRITUS MINISTRIES
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
YOU BELONG WISCONSIN
$2,500UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
RIVERSIDE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
$100,000OUR GOAL IS FOR THE BREAVED IS TO MAKE A DIFFICULT TIME IN LIFE AS EASY AS POSSIBLE
HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE
$60,000TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO DISCOVER AND APPRECIATE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE FOX VALLEY THROUGH EXHIBITION, EDUCATION, AND COLLECTIONS.
APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ST FRANCIS XAVIER
$50,000PROMOTE EDUCATION
DEDICATED SOLELY TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN
ST FRANCIS XAVIER FUND
$25,000TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTER
$25,000FURTHER PURPOSE OF ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE OF AGING ADULTS
LITTLE CHUTE WINDMILL ASSOCIATION
$25,000MAINTAIN AND OPERATE AN AUTHENTIC DUTCH WINDMILL FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR ALL AGES
HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE CASTLE
$25,000TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO DISCOVER AND APPRECIATE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE FOX VALLEY THROUGH EXHIBITION, EDUCATION, AND COLLECTIONS.