The John H. Witte Jr. Foundation Trust concentrates giving locally in and around Burlington/Milwaukee-area communities, prioritizing core operating support for institutions that sustain local education and community services. Most grants are unrestricted/general operating awards to a small set of repeat grantees—notably a regional community college foundation, the local United Way, and the Burlington Area Development Foundation—indicating a preference for stable, place-based civic infrastructure rather than project-specific philanthropy.
Concentrated, large awards to a few repeat local grantees; multiple general operating grants rather than many small or one-off gifts.
Southeastern Community College Foundation, United Way - Burlington Area, Burlington Area Development Foundation
John H Witte Jr Foundation Trust stands out for a tightly repeated pattern of unrestricted support to a small cluster of Burlington-area institutions, especially Southeastern Community College Foundation and United Way-burlington Area. The largest recent awards are $84,000 general operating grants to Southeastern Community College Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing sustained support rather than one-time project funding. Around that core, the trust backs local civic and community organizations with the same operating-style approach, including Burlington Area Development Foundation, Burlington Capitol Theatre, and Burlington Area Homeless Shelter. The grant list also shows support for Burlington Stem Foundation, City Hope Foundation, Friends of Burlington Parks, Heartsong Inc, and other place-based groups in Burlington and West Burlington. This is a foundation that appears to prioritize the organizational backbone of a regional civic ecosystem: education, human services, economic development, arts, parks, and community infrastructure. Its recent record is dominated by general operating grants, and the recurring awards suggest long-term relationships with a defined set of recipients rather than a broad competitive grant portfolio.
Education is a clear anchor in the trust’s giving. It gave $84,000 to Southeastern Community College Foundation for general operating support in 2025, following the same amount in 2024 and 2023. Human services also receive sustained support: United Way-burlington Area received $60,000 for general operating support in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Burlington Area Homeless Shelter received $28,500 in 2025 and $20,000 in 2023. The foundation also funds local community and economic development through Burlington Area Development Foundation, including $40,000 in 2023, $35,000 in 2024, and $25,000 in 2025. Arts and culture appear in the portfolio as well, with Burlington Capitol Theatre receiving repeated general operating awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $15,000, and p75 of $25,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially 2023 through 2025, which points to ongoing operating relationships rather than isolated gifts. The trust’s grants are overwhelmingly general operating support and unrestricted in character. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The distribution of awards also suggests a concentrated, relationship-based pattern rather than a broad application-driven portfolio.
$401K
$8M
$289K
$506K
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in IA.
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Giving is concentrated in a small regional footprint, with recipients clustered in Burlington and West Burlington, Iowa. West Burlington appears often through Southeastern Community College Foundation and Burlington Stem Foundation, while Burlington shows up repeatedly with United Way-burlington Area, Burlington Area Development Foundation, Burlington Capitol Theatre, Burlington Area Homeless Shelter, and Friends of Burlington Parks. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 72 grants to U.S. recipients. Although the trust is headquartered in Milwaukee, its recent grants land elsewhere and do not cluster there.
The recent record is dominated by general operating support. That includes repeated unrestricted awards to Southeastern Community College Foundation, United Way-burlington Area, Burlington Area Development Foundation, and Burlington Capitol Theatre, along with other operating grants to local civic and community groups.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger recurring awards such as $84,000 and $60,000 to long-standing grantees.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Southeastern Community College Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; United Way-burlington Area in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Burlington Capitol Theatre in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Its giving includes education, human services, community and economic development, arts and culture, parks, and local civic infrastructure. Recent grants name Southeastern Community College Foundation, United Way-burlington Area, Burlington Area Development Foundation, Burlington Capitol Theatre, and Friends of Burlington Parks.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | WEST BURLINGTON, IA | $84,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FND | WEST BURLINGTON, IA | $84,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNITED WAY-BURLINGTON AREA | BURLINGTON, IA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON STEM FOUNDATION | WEST BURLINGTON, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON CAPITOL THEATRE | BURLINGTON, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON CAPITOL THEATRE | BURLINGTON, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TRANSITIONS DMC INC | BURLINGTON, IA | $28,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTER | BURLINGTON, IA | $28,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA DEVELOPMENT FDN | BURLINGTON, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTSONG INC | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON CIVIC MUSIC | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEART SONG INC | WEST BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON PARKS | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON PARKS | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON STEM FOUNDATION INC | W BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON | BURLINGTON, IA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TRANSITIONS DMC INC | BURLINGTON, IA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTER | BURLINGTON, IA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT | MOLINE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON | BURLINGTON, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA DEVELOPMENT FDN | BURLINGTON, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL | CINCINNATI, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BART HOWARD FOUNDATION INC | W BURLINGTON, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BART HOWARD FOUNDATION INC | BURLINGTON, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOMESTEAD 1839 | W BURLINGTON, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHEAST IOWA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | MT PLEASANT, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHEAST IOWA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | MT PLEASANT, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BEL CANTO CHORALE | BURLINGTON, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON MUNICIPAL BAND FND | BURLINGTON, IA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BEL CANTO CHORALE | BURLINGTON, IA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | WEST BURLINGTON, IA | $84,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNITED WAY-BURLINGTON AREA | BURLINGTON, IA | $60,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CITY HOPE FOUNDATION | Burlington, IA | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA DEVELOPMENT FDN | BURLINGTON, IA | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON CAPITOL THEATRE | BURLINGTON, IA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION A DES MOINES COUNTY FOUNDATION | BURLINGTON, IA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON RIVERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DES MOINES CTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY C/O AUSTIN SCHWARTZ | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON CIVIC MUSIC | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON PARKS | BURLINGTON, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTER | BURLINGTON, IA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TRANSITIONS DMC INC | BURLINGTON, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON | BURLINGTON, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE HEARTLAND | MOLINE, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHEAST IOWA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | MT PLEASANT, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BURLINGTON AREA YMCA INC | BURLINGTON, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BEL CANTO CHORALE | BURLINGTON, IA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FND
$84,000GENERAL OPERATING
UNITED WAY-BURLINGTON AREA
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON STEM FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON CAPITOL THEATRE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON CAPITOL THEATRE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
TRANSITIONS DMC INC
$28,500GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTER
$28,500GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA DEVELOPMENT FDN
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTSONG INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON CIVIC MUSIC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
HEART SONG INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON PARKS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON PARKS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON STEM FOUNDATION INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
TRANSITIONS DMC INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA DEVELOPMENT FDN
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
BART HOWARD FOUNDATION INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
BART HOWARD FOUNDATION INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
HOMESTEAD 1839
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
SOUTHEAST IOWA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
SOUTHEAST IOWA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
BEL CANTO CHORALE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON MUNICIPAL BAND FND
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
BEL CANTO CHORALE
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
UNITED WAY-BURLINGTON AREA
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING
CITY HOPE FOUNDATION
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA DEVELOPMENT FDN
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON CAPITOL THEATRE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION A DES MOINES COUNTY FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON RIVERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT
$20,500GENERAL OPERATING
DES MOINES CTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY C/O AUSTIN SCHWARTZ
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON CIVIC MUSIC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRIENDS OF BURLINGTON PARKS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
TRANSITIONS DMC INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
SOUTHEAST IOWA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
BURLINGTON AREA YMCA INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
BEL CANTO CHORALE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING