Herbert H Kohl Charities concentrates its philanthropy almost exclusively on education in Wisconsin, routing very large grants to its own Herb Kohl Educational Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Foundation to support public charitable educational initiatives. Its giving appears focused on expanding access to and strengthening public education and higher-education programs within the state, often via pass-through or designated support to approved public charities. The foundation operates with a narrow programmatic focus and strong ties to statewide education institutions.
Highly concentrated: very few, very large grants (10 grants totaling $14.3M) with repeated multi-year support to a small set of core grantees; local/state focus on Wisconsin public education.
Herbert H Kohl Charities Inc directs nearly all of its philanthropy into Wisconsin education, with large recurring grants flowing to the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Foundation. Those awards sit alongside smaller support for Milwaukee-area public charities, showing a pattern that favors approved public education organizations and statewide education initiatives rather than a broad multi-issue portfolio. The foundation’s recent grants include $2,000,000 to the University of Wisconsin Foundation in 2025 and $1,756,430 to Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc in 2024, both listed as support for approved public charities. Other sizable grants reached Historic Haymarket Milwaukee, Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Donorschooseorg, all within the same Wisconsin-centered giving pattern. The grant record also shows repeat funding to the same core institutions across multiple years, especially the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc, indicating an ongoing relationship rather than one-off support. Within that narrow frame, the foundation’s work is organized around public charities, education, and local Wisconsin institutions.
Education is the clearest throughline in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, it gave $500,000 to Donorschooseorg for approved public charities, and in 2024 it made a $350,000 grant to the same recipient for the same purpose. It also supported Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation with $380,000 in 2023 and $240,000 in 2024, both as approved public charity funding. Milwaukee-based intermediaries appear often, including Greater Milwaukee Foundation, which received $300,000 in 2023 and $250,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The portfolio also includes school-focused grantees such as Carmen Schools of Science & Technology and Forward Scholars, each funded at $250,000 in 2025 or 2024. Across these grants, the foundation emphasizes education-related public charities, school support, and local system partners in Wisconsin.
The typical grant size is small relative to the foundation’s largest awards: p25 is $250, median is $500, and p75 is $5,000. At the other end of the range, the recent record includes million-dollar grants to statewide education intermediaries, showing a wide spread between routine awards and core institutional support. The same recipients appear across multiple years, especially the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc, the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and Greater Milwaukee Foundation, which points to recurring relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a regular funder and does not fund individuals. Its public-facing grant programs include invitation-only collaboration work and an RFP for civic engagement, while Homegrown Grants accepts unsolicited requests.
$14.2M
$3.6M
$9.8M
$14.3M
Most grants fall between $250 and $5K, with a median of $500.
25th Percentile
$250
Median
$500
75th Percentile
$5K
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Notable grantees: Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc, University of Wisconsin Foundation, Approved public charities (via designated/pass-through grants)
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Wisconsin: 95% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also WI. Milwaukee dominates the recipient map, with many grants going to organizations located there, including the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc, Historic Haymarket Milwaukee, Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation. Outside Wisconsin, the only recipient country in the data is the United States, with 968 grants in total. The geographic pattern is local and heavily Milwaukee-centered rather than multi-state or international.
The grant record centers on IRS-approved public charities and Wisconsin education-related organizations. Recent recipients include the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc, Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and Milwaukee-area school and community groups, all funded as approved public charities.
Typical grant size is modest: the p25 is $250, the median is $500, and the p75 is $5,000. The record also includes much larger awards, including million-dollar grants to major Wisconsin education intermediaries.
Repeat funding is a clear pattern. The University of Wisconsin Foundation and Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc each received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Greater Milwaukee Foundation also appears repeatedly in the recent grants list.
Yes. Homegrown Grants accepts unsolicited requests, and the Fostering Civic Engagement for a Healthy Democracy RFP also accepts unsolicited proposals. Other listed programs, including collaboration funding and the teacher/principal awards, are invitation-based or otherwise not open to unsolicited applications.
Giving is concentrated in Wisconsin. The top state by grant count is WI, and 95% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Milwaukee recipients appear repeatedly in the recent grants list, including education, health, and community organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Herbert H Kohl Charities that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Detailed eligibility criteria were not included in the scraped content.
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from July 1 through March 31 each fiscal year.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| HERB KOHL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,550,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| HERB KOHL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,275,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $800,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| HISTORIC HAYMARKET MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $750,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| DONORSCHOOSEORG | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $500,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UWM FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $300,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| FORWARD SCHOLARS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| CARMEN SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| RIVERWORKS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $117,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| MILWAUKEE COLLEGE PREP | MILWAUKEE, WI | $105,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UNITED WAY GREATER MILWAUKEE & WAUKESHA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $102,500 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| ROCKETSHIP SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| ACTS HOUSING | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UNITED PERFORMING ARTS FUND | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UWM FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| PASTORS UNITED COMMUNITY ADVOCACY INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| DR HOWARD FULLER COLLEGIATE ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| BRUCE GUADALUPE COMMUNITY SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| CITY YEAR INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| SEEDS OF HEALTH | MILWAUKEE, WI | $90,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $87,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| LOCAL MEDIA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $70,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WI EDUC FUND | MADISON, WI | $60,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER LACROSSE | LA CROSSE, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WAUSAU AREA | WAUSAU, WI | $52,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| OCONTO COUNTY 4-H | OCONTO, WI | $52,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BAY AND LAKES REGION | GREEN BAY, WI | $50,500 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| CALUMET COUNTY 4 - H | CHILTON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| MILWAUKEE JEWISH FEDERATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| UNITED WAY OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| 4 - H MARATHON COUNTY | WAUSAU, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| LUMIN SCHOOLS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
HERB KOHL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC
$1,550,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
HERB KOHL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC
$1,275,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
HISTORIC HAYMARKET MILWAUKEE
$750,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
DONORSCHOOSEORG
$500,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
$250,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
CARMEN SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
$250,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
MILWAUKEE COLLEGE PREP
$105,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
ROCKETSHIP SCHOOL
$100,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
BRUCE GUADALUPE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
$100,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
CITY YEAR INC
$100,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
SEEDS OF HEALTH
$90,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
$87,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WI EDUC FUND
$60,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER LACROSSE
$55,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
OCONTO COUNTY 4-H
$52,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BAY AND LAKES REGION
$50,500TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
CALUMET COUNTY 4 - H
$50,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
4 - H MARATHON COUNTY
$50,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES
LUMIN SCHOOLS
$50,000TO FUND APPROVED PUBLIC CHARITIES