The Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation appears to concentrate its philanthropy locally in Madison, WI, with large, targeted gifts to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Both recorded grants support a capital/civic project (L&S Building), indicating a priority for higher-education infrastructure and university-linked community service. The foundation gives infrequently but at substantial dollar amounts to a single institutional partner.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants directed to a single local institutional grantee (repeat funding to the UW Foundation), suggesting focused capital or project-driven support rather than broad, diversified giving.
A defining feature of the Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Foundation is its repeated support for the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s L&S Building, with a $1,000,000 grant in 2023 followed by a $500,000 grant in 2024. That pattern points to a funder that backs large, institution-linked projects rather than broad, diffuse giving. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s philanthropy stays close to Madison and centers on higher education, civic institutions, and hospital-related research. Grants to UW Foundation - Carbone Cancer Center, the Madison Public Library Foundation, and the Wisconsin State Historical Society show that the foundation supports both academic and community-serving organizations. It also appears to maintain relationships with a small set of recipients over time, including UW Foundation - Waisman Center and Madison Jewish Federation. The overall grant profile is consistent with a family foundation making targeted awards to local organizations, with a strong emphasis on university-connected initiatives and Madison-area civic life.
Higher education infrastructure is a core theme. The foundation gave $1,000,000 in 2023 and $500,000 in 2024 to UW Foundation - L&s Building, a clear sign of support for a major campus project. It also funded university-based research and academic units, including $35,000 to UW Foundation - Carbone Cancer Center in both 2023 and 2024. Civic and cultural organizations also appear in the record. The foundation granted $30,000 to Madison Public Library Foundation in 2023 and $25,000 to Madison Symphony Orchestra in 2023, alongside support for the Wisconsin State Historical Society in both 2023 and 2024. Religious and campus-based student life is another visible area, with grants to UW-Madison Hillel, Chabad Lubavitch, and UW Campus - Chabad House.
The typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s largest awards: p25 is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and p75 is $25,000. The record also shows occasional very large gifts, including seven-figure support for the L&S Building. Grants appear recurring rather than one-time in several cases, with the same recipient appearing in multiple years and at the same amount or near the same amount. The foundation is a family foundation and does not fund individuals or program-related investments. The available data does not show an open application process.
$5.8M
$10M
$1.2M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: UW Foundation - L&S Building (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Giving is highly concentrated in Wisconsin: 93% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the top state by grant count is WI. Madison dominates the recipient map, with many awards going to organizations there, including the Madison Public Library Foundation, Madison Symphony Orchestra, and Porchlight Inc. Outside Wisconsin, the only named recipient city in the recent grants list is Rochester, MN, through Mayo Clinic grants in 2023 and 2024. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grants list shows support for university-linked institutions, civic and cultural organizations, hospital-related research, and religious/student-life groups. Examples include UW Foundation - Carbone Cancer Center, Madison Public Library Foundation, Wisconsin State Historical Society, and UW-Madison Hillel.
Typical grants are in the $10,000 to $25,000 range, with a median of $15,000 and a p75 of $25,000. The foundation also makes much larger awards, including $1,000,000 and $500,000 grants for the L&S Building.
Yes. 93% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin, and WI is the top state by grant count. Madison is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, with most listed organizations located there.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the UW Foundation - L&s Building in 2023 and 2024, Mayo Clinic in 2023 and 2024, and UW Foundation - Carbone Cancer Center in 2023 and 2024. That pattern suggests recurring support for selected institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW FOUNDATION - PHILLIP A LEVY ENGINEERING HALL | MADISON, WI | $5,000,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| UW FOUNDATION - L&S BUILDING | MADISON, WI | $500,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH |
| UW FOUNDATION - CARBONE CANCER CENTER | MADISON, WI | $35,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| ST MARYS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH |
| UW FOUNDATION - WAISMAN CENTER | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF OPTHAMOLOGY | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW-MADISON HILLEL | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF UROLOGY | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| UW CAMPUS - CHABAD HOUSE | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| BETH ISRAEL CENTER | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| TEMPLE BETH EL | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICES | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - CHAZEN ART MUSEUM | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | CIVIC AND COM |
| CONGREGATION SONS OF ABRAHAM - LA CROSSE | LA CROSSE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - BADGER CHAPTER | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER - EVJUE CLINIC | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| THE RIVER FOOD PANTRY | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| PORCHLIGHT INC | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| UW FOUNDATION - PHILLIP A LEVY ENGINEERING HALL | MADISON, WI | $5,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| UW FOUNDATION - L&S BUILDING | MADISON, WI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH |
| UW FOUNDATION - CARBONE CANCER CENTER | MADISON, WI | $35,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| UW FOUNDATION - WAISMAN CENTER | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| ST MARYS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH |
| MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF OPTHAMOLOGY | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF UROLOGY | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| UW CAMPUS - CHABAD HOUSE | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW-MADISON HILLEL | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| BETH ISRAEL CENTER | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - CHAZEN ART MUSEUM | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | CIVIC AND COM |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICES | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| TEMPLE BETH EL | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - BADGER CHAPTER | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| THE RIVER FOOD PANTRY | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| PORCHLIGHT INC | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER - EVJUE CLINIC | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| CONGREGATION SONS OF ABRAHAM - LA CROSSE | LA CROSSE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - L&S BUILDING | MADISON, WI | $500,000 | 2024 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH |
| UW FOUNDATION - CARBONE CANCER CENTER | MADISON, WI | $35,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
| MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| UW FOUNDATION - WAISMAN CENTER | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL |
| WISCONSIN STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF OPTHAMOLOGY | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH |
UW FOUNDATION - PHILLIP A LEVY ENGINEERING HALL
$5,000,000EDUCATIONAL
UW FOUNDATION - L&S BUILDING
$500,000EDUCATIONAL
MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION
$50,000HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
UW FOUNDATION - CARBONE CANCER CENTER
$35,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
ST MARYS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
UW FOUNDATION - WAISMAN CENTER
$25,000EDUCATIONAL
MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION
$25,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF OPTHAMOLOGY
$20,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
CHABAD LUBAVITCH
$15,000RELIGIOUS
UW-MADISON HILLEL
$15,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF UROLOGY
$15,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
UW CAMPUS - CHABAD HOUSE
$15,000RELIGIOUS
BETH ISRAEL CENTER
$10,000RELIGIOUS
TEMPLE BETH EL
$10,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - CHAZEN ART MUSEUM
$10,000CIVIC AND COM
CONGREGATION SONS OF ABRAHAM - LA CROSSE
$5,000RELIGIOUS
AMERICAN RED CROSS - BADGER CHAPTER
$5,000CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
UW FOUNDATION - PHILLIP A LEVY ENGINEERING HALL
$5,000,000EDUCATIONAL
UW FOUNDATION - L&S BUILDING
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL
MAYO CLINIC
$50,000HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
UW FOUNDATION - CARBONE CANCER CENTER
$35,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
UW FOUNDATION - WAISMAN CENTER
$25,000EDUCATIONAL
ST MARYS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION
$25,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF OPTHAMOLOGY
$20,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF UROLOGY
$15,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
UW CAMPUS - CHABAD HOUSE
$15,000RELIGIOUS
CHABAD LUBAVITCH
$15,000RELIGIOUS
UW-MADISON HILLEL
$15,000RELIGIOUS
BETH ISRAEL CENTER
$10,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - CHAZEN ART MUSEUM
$10,000CIVIC AND COM
TEMPLE BETH EL
$10,000RELIGIOUS
AMERICAN RED CROSS - BADGER CHAPTER
$5,000CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER - EVJUE CLINIC
$5,000CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
CONGREGATION SONS OF ABRAHAM - LA CROSSE
$5,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - L&S BUILDING
$500,000CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
MAYO CLINIC
$50,000HOSPITAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
UW FOUNDATION - CARBONE CANCER CENTER
$35,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
MADISON JEWISH FEDERATION
$25,000RELIGIOUS
UW FOUNDATION - WAISMAN CENTER
$25,000EDUCATIONAL
WISCONSIN STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$25,000CIVIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
UW FOUNDATION - DEPT OF OPTHAMOLOGY
$20,000EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH