The L E Phillips Family Foundation makes a small number of very large grants, frequently routing significant dollars through donor-advised or donor-directed vehicles while also investing in local institutions. Its direct programmatic giving highlights higher education in Eau Claire and regional arts capital projects, suggesting a combination of pass-through philanthropy and place-based support in Wisconsin.
L E Phillips Family Foundation Inc’s recent giving is marked by two large, repeated pass-through grants: $2,222,000 each in 2023 to Donors Trust and Fidelity Charitable, followed by $2,013,000 gifts to the same two intermediaries in 2024 and $1,420,000 to each in 2025. Alongside that donor-advised pattern, the foundation makes sizable direct grants to Wisconsin institutions, especially in education and arts. One of the clearest place-based commitments is a $1,300,000 capital campaign grant to Shell Lake Arts Center in 2025. The foundation also backed University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire through three annual educational-program grants of $729,000 in 2023, $768,800 in 2024, and $793,150 in 2025. That mix suggests a foundation that uses both intermediary channels and direct institutional support. Its named recipients include local organizations in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, regional universities, and a small set of national nonprofits. The result is a grantmaking profile that combines large-dollar pass-through philanthropy with targeted support for higher education, arts infrastructure, and community-serving institutions in Wisconsin.
Education appears in several forms. The foundation gave $793,150 in 2025 to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation for educational programs, after similar grants of $768,800 in 2024 and $729,000 in 2023. In workforce and adult learning, it provided $386,000 in 2023, $164,000 in 2024, and $117,000 in 2025 to L E Phillips Career Development Center for operating funds. Early childhood support is visible in a $25,000 grant in 2024 to Pbo of the United States for the Phyllis Berney Infant Room. Health and research also appear in the record. In 2025 and 2023, Mayo Clinic received $20,000 grants for medical school and urology research. The foundation’s support for higher education extends to the University of Minnesota Foundation, which received $400,000 in 2024 for a honey bee faculty endowment. Arts and youth programming show up through Shell Lake Arts Center’s 2025 capital campaign grant and a $25,000 2024 grant to Hope Gospel Mission for the Hope Learning Center Campaign.
Typical grants are small, with a p25 of $500, a median of $1,600, and a p75 of $5,000, even though the recent record includes several much larger awards. The pattern is split between recurring intermediary grants and recurring direct institutional support. Donors Trust and Fidelity Charitable each received repeated seven-figure operating grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation is a family foundation, not one that funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Its recent record also shows repeat support for some direct grantees over multiple years, including universities and local service organizations.
$5.7M
$40.4M
$5.3M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $500 and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 37% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Highly concentrated: few, very large grants with repeated payments to the same recipients (notably donor-advised funds), plus multi-grant support to a local university and a major regional arts capital campaign.
Notable grantees: Fidelity Charitable, Donors Trust, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Foundation, Shell Lake Arts Center
Grantmaking is national, with all recent grants landing in the United States. Wisconsin is especially prominent: 37% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and named Wisconsin recipients include Eau Claire, Shell Lake, Chippewa Falls, and Platteville. Outside Wisconsin, the recipient list includes Alexandria, Covington, Minneapolis, Rochester, Morristown, Miami, Arlington, Rochester Hills, Erie, and New York-area intermediaries. Kentucky stands out as the top state by grant count, reflecting the location of Fidelity Charitable in Covington.
The distribution is small at the middle of the range: p25 is $500, median grant size is $1,600, and p75 is $5,000. The recent record also includes several much larger operating and capital grants, so the average is not representative of most awards.
Yes. Donors Trust and Fidelity Charitable each received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Several direct recipients also recur across years, including University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation, L E Phillips Career Development Center, The Seeing Eye, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation.
The record shows support for education at multiple levels, early childhood programs, workplace literacy and adult basic skills, medical research and medical school support, parks and outdoor facilities, arts and music programming, youth counseling or therapeutic programs, and capital campaigns or endowment funding.
By recipient count, Kentucky is the top state, driven by grants to Covington-based Fidelity Charitable. Wisconsin is also a major destination, with 37% of grants going to recipients in the headquarters state and direct support in Eau Claire, Shell Lake, Chippewa Falls, and Platteville.
No. While Wisconsin recipients are a major part of the pattern, the grant list also includes organizations in Virginia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Michigan, and Missouri, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONORS TRUST | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $1,595,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | COVINGTON, KY | $1,595,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES | WEST ALLIS, WI | $1,500,000 | 2026 | TREATMENT CENTER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI-EAU CLAIRE FOUNDAT | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $598,300 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| VILLAGE OF FALL CREEK | FALL CREEK, WI | $250,000 | 2026 | PUBLIC LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| L E PHILLIPS CAREER DEVELOPMENT C | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $116,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| THE SEEING EYE | MORRISTOWN, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND | ROCHESTER HILLS, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI-PLATTEVILLE FOUND | PLATTEVILLE, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | SENIOR DESIGN PROJECTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WI FOUNDATION-MADISON | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | SECURITY UPGRADES |
| FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| REASON FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| LITERACY CHIPPEWA VALLEY | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | WORKPLACE LITERACY PROGRAM |
| 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY | XENIA, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| MARSHFIELD CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM FDN | MARSHFIELD, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | NICU CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WILLOW RIVER & KINNICKINNIC ST PARK | HUDSON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | KAYAK/CANOE LAUNCH |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | UROLOGY RESEARCH |
| NATIONAL REVIEW INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY | ELEVA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | BUILDING/GENERATOR UPGRADES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | SPIVAK INNOVATION FUND |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WI NORTHWEST | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $8,750 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| L E PHILLIPS SENIOR CENTER | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR |
| WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO | MADISON, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| LAND O' LAKES DISTRICT OF SPEBSQSA | GREENDALE, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| WISCONSIN HISTORICAL FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| PBS WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| GUTHRIE THEATRE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| CITY OF BLOOMER | BLOOMER, WI | $6,500 | 2026 | PARK IMPROVEMENTS |
| GLOBAL ACADEMY | NEW BRIGHTON, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| BOB'S HOUSE FOR DOGS | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| MABEL TAINTER CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MENOMONIE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| CHIPPEWA VALLEY WILDLIFE REHABILITA | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| CHIPPEWA VALLEY FAMILY MUSEUM | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| FLYING EAGLES SKI CLUB INC | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $3,500 | 2026 | TOW ROPE SAFETY PROJECT |
| AUDIO & BRAILLE LITERACY ENHANCEMEN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | AUDIO BOOKS PROGRAM |
| BEAVER CREEK RESERVE | FALL CREEK, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL MUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | K-9 FUND |
| CHIPPEWA HUMANE ASSOCIATION | CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| EAU CLAIRE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| DUNN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | MENOMONIE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| LITERACY CHIPPEWA VALLEY | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $2,220 | 2026 | SCRABBLE BEE FUNDRAISER |
| PROSPECT PARK ALLIANCE | BROOKLYN, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| CITY PARKS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| HISTORY THEATRE | ST PAUL, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| AM SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF NATURE | GREAT NECK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| BLOOMER AREA AQUATIC & RECREATION | BLOOMER, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUNDS |
VILLAGE OF FALL CREEK
$250,000PUBLIC LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
L E PHILLIPS CAREER DEVELOPMENT C
$116,000OPERATING FUNDS
THE SEEING EYE
$50,000OPERATING FUNDS
UNIVERSITY OF WI-PLATTEVILLE FOUND
$20,000SENIOR DESIGN PROJECTS
UNIVERSITY OF WI FOUNDATION-MADISON
$20,000MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIPS
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$20,000SECURITY UPGRADES
LITERACY CHIPPEWA VALLEY
$15,000WORKPLACE LITERACY PROGRAM
MARSHFIELD CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM FDN
$10,000NICU CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
WILLOW RIVER & KINNICKINNIC ST PARK
$10,000KAYAK/CANOE LAUNCH
MAYO CLINIC
$10,000UROLOGY RESEARCH
TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY
$10,000BUILDING/GENERATOR UPGRADES
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WI NORTHWEST
$8,750OPERATING FUNDS
L E PHILLIPS SENIOR CENTER
$7,500SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO
$7,500OPERATING FUNDS
LAND O' LAKES DISTRICT OF SPEBSQSA
$7,500OPERATING FUNDS
PBS WISCONSIN
$7,000OPERATING FUNDS
CITY OF BLOOMER
$6,500PARK IMPROVEMENTS
GLOBAL ACADEMY
$5,000OPERATING FUNDS
BOB'S HOUSE FOR DOGS
$5,000OPERATING FUNDS
MABEL TAINTER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$4,000OPERATING FUNDS
CHIPPEWA VALLEY WILDLIFE REHABILITA
$3,500OPERATING FUNDS
CHIPPEWA VALLEY FAMILY MUSEUM
$3,500OPERATING FUNDS
FLYING EAGLES SKI CLUB INC
$3,500TOW ROPE SAFETY PROJECT
AUDIO & BRAILLE LITERACY ENHANCEMEN
$3,000AUDIO BOOKS PROGRAM
BEAVER CREEK RESERVE
$3,000OPERATING FUNDS
CHIPPEWA HUMANE ASSOCIATION
$2,500OPERATING FUNDS
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,500OPERATING FUNDS
DUNN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,500OPERATING FUNDS
LITERACY CHIPPEWA VALLEY
$2,220SCRABBLE BEE FUNDRAISER
AM SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF NATURE
$2,000OPERATING FUNDS
BLOOMER AREA AQUATIC & RECREATION
$2,000OPERATING FUNDS
MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$2,000OPERATING FUNDS