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    5. Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation
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    Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation

    ActiveMutual & Membership Benefit
    MANITOWOC, WIWebsite9206846110

    About Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation

    The Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation makes highly targeted, large restricted grants to local institutions in Manitowoc County focused on workforce development and behavioral health services. Their giving appears place-based and pragmatic — supporting a regional technical college and a local treatment provider rather than broad national causes.

    Focus Areas

    Workforce and vocational training support for Lakeshore Technical CollegeLocal behavioral health and substance-use treatment services (Core Treatment Services)Restricted, project-specific support for community institutions in Manitowoc, WI

    Giving Approach

    Very concentrated giving: only two large, restricted grants in this period directed to local organizations. Funds are sizable and purpose-restricted rather than many small or unrestricted awards; no evidence of broad geographic or sector diversification.

    Funding Style

    unrestricted supportgeneral operating supportflexible/core funding

    Notable grantees: Lakeshore Technical College Foundation, Core Treatment Services, Inc.

    About Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation

    Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc’s recent grantmaking is marked by large restricted awards to institutions in Manitowoc County and the surrounding lakeshore area. The biggest grant in the latest list is $500,000 to Lakeshore Technical College Foundation in Cleveland, followed by $375,000 to Core Treatment Services Inc in Manitowoc. Those two gifts capture the foundation’s pattern of backing local organizations that serve workforce development and behavioral health needs. The foundation also appears to support community infrastructure through grants such as $300,000 to Manitowoc Public School District Foundation and $250,000 to Lakeshore Humane Society. Other sizable awards go to recovery services, schools, and civic or cultural institutions in Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and nearby Wisconsin cities. Across the latest grants list, the awards are restricted rather than unrestricted, suggesting project-specific or designated support. The overall picture is a place-based funder with a strong concentration on local institutions in Wisconsin, especially organizations tied to education, care, and community services in the lakeshore region.

    What Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Funds

    Workforce and vocational training are a clear part of the foundation’s giving. It gave $500,000 to Lakeshore Technical College Foundation in Cleveland and later $150,000 to the same organization in 2025, both marked restricted. Behavioral health and recovery are another recurring theme. Core Treatment Services Inc received $375,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024, while Lighthouse Community Recovery Center Inc received $250,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports education and community-serving institutions. Manitowoc Public School District Foundation received $300,000 in 2025, and Lakeshore First Robotics Programs received $220,000 in 2023 and $140,000 in 2024. Grants also reached arts, heritage, and environmental organizations, including the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc County Historical Society, and Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve Inc.

    How Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Gives

    Typical grants cluster at modest-to-mid six figures: p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent-grants list also shows much larger restricted awards, so the distribution includes a small number of outsized project grants alongside many smaller awards. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off: several recipients appear in multiple years, including Lakeshore Technical College Foundation, Core Treatment Services Inc, Ascend Services Inc, Lakeshore First Robotics, and Woodland Dunes. The foundation’s active grant programs indicate that unsolicited applications are accepted through its grant application materials.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intake

    General Grants (Ruth St. John & John Dunham West Foundation)

    ArtsHumanitarianCultural+1 more

    Who can apply: Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRC section 501(c)(3) with a valid IRS Tax ID for at least two years. No grants to individuals, political organizations, church or religious groups, K-12 school systems, fraternal, social or veteran organizations. Preference for projects centered in the Lakeshore area and causes that benefit Manitowoc County residents.

    Deadline: Applications must be received at the foundation office no later than the first business day of each month to be considered at that month's board meeting (board meets fourth Wednesday of each month).

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $13M

    Total Assets

    $124.9M

    Total Revenue

    $14.5M

    Total Expenses

    $6.4M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.

    25th Percentile

    $5K

    Median

    $10K

    75th Percentile

    $25K

    Geographic Reach

    Local2 states funded

    About 100% of grants go to recipients in WI.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN: 39-6056375
    3 filings on record

    Topics

    no specific program focus specifiedorganizational sustainabilitycapacity flexibility

    Where Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Makes Grants

    Grant dollars are concentrated in Wisconsin, with 100% of grants to U.S. recipients and 100% to recipients in the HQ state. Manitowoc is the most frequent recipient city, followed by Two Rivers, Sheboygan, Cleveland, Green Bay, and Appleton. Recent grants also reach nearby places such as Mishicot, Whitelaw, and Manitowoc County institutions, reinforcing a local lakeshore footprint rather than a multi-state one.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does this foundation fund?

    Its recent grants support local institutions in Manitowoc County and the lakeshore region, including a technical college, a treatment provider, a school district foundation, a humane society, recovery services, and civic or cultural organizations. The active grant programs also mention gardens, horticulture, historic garden preservation, community education, arts, humanitarian, and civic/public purposes.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The grant-size distribution is relatively small at the center of the portfolio: p25 is $5,000, median grant size is $10,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent grants list also includes larger restricted awards, including $500,000 and $375,000 gifts.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. The active grant programs indicate that applicants can submit materials through the foundation’s grant application process, and the program notes state that unsolicited applications are accepted.

    Where does the foundation give?

    Its giving is local and entirely in Wisconsin. The grant recipient distribution shows 100% of grants to U.S. recipients, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, Wisconsin. Recent recipients include Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Sheboygan, Cleveland, Green Bay, and Appleton.

    Are grants usually one-time or recurring?

    Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, which suggests recurring support. Examples include Lakeshore Technical College Foundation, Core Treatment Services Inc, Ascend Services Inc, Lakeshore First Robotics, and Woodland Dunes.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    MANITOWOC PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATIONMANITOWOC, WI$300,0002025RESTRICTED
    LAKESHORE HUMANE SOCIETYMANITOWOC, WI$250,0002025RESTRICTED
    DEMENTIA INNOVATIONS INCSHEBOYGAN, WI$250,0002025RESTRICTED
    LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER INCMANITOWOC, WI$250,0002025RESTRICTED
    ASCEND SERVICES INCMANITOWOC, WI$150,0002025RESTRICTED
    LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINAPPLETON, WI$150,0002025RESTRICTED
    LAKESHORE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDAATION INCCLEVELAND, WI$150,0002025RESTRICTED
    MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETYMANITOWOC, WI$130,0002025RESTRICTED
    LAKESHORE REGIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERSHEBOYGAN, WI$100,0002025RESTRICTED
    ROGERS STREET FISHING VILLAGE INCTWO RIVERS, WI$100,0002025RESTRICTED
    CITY OF TWO RIVERS PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENTTWO RIVERS, WI$100,0002025RESTRICTED
    EXCEPTIONAL EQUESTRIANSDE PERE, WI$100,0002025RESTRICTED
    WOODLAND DUNESTWO RIVERS, WI$100,0002025RESTRICTED
    LAKESHORE FIRST ROBOTICSMANITOWOC, WI$95,0002025RESTRICTED
    PRODUCTION FARMWHITELAW, WI$76,8002025RESTRICTED
    MAGIC - MISHICOT COMMUNITY ATHLETIC COMPLEXMISHICOT, WI$75,0002025RESTRICTED
    HOPE HOUSE OF MANITOWOC COUNTY INCMANITOWOC, WI$75,0002025RESTRICTED
    UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GREEN BAY - MANITOWOC CAMPUSGREEN BAY, WI$75,0002025RESTRICTED
    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WISCONSIN SHORELINE INCMANITOWOC, WI$65,0902025RESTRICTED
    WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WAICU)MADISON, WI$60,0002025RESTRICTED
    GROW IT FORWARD INCMANITOWOC, WI$50,0002025RESTRICTED
    CASA OF EAST CENTRAL WISCONSINMANITOWOC, WI$50,0002025RESTRICTED
    NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER INCMANITOWOC, WI$50,0002025RESTRICTED
    ASSOCIATES FOR COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION INCGREEN BAY, WI$50,0002025RESTRICTED
    ST MARY'S HOME FOR THE AGED INCMANITOWOC, WI$50,0002025RESTRICTED
    HAMILTON WOOD TYPE AND PRINTING MUSEUMTWO RIVERS, WI$48,0002025RESTRICTED
    MANITOWOC COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTERMANITOWOC, WI$43,7802025RESTRICTED
    LIGHTHOUSE RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER INCMANITOWOC, WI$40,0002025RESTRICTED
    ABOVE AND BEYOND CHILDREN'S MUSEUMSHEBOYGAN, WI$35,0002025RESTRICTED
    LAKELAND UNIVERSITYPLYMOUTH, WI$35,0002025RESTRICTED
    TREEHOUSE THEATERMANITOWOC, WI$35,0002025UNRESTRICTED
    MANITOWOC-TWO RIVERS YMCAMANITOWOC, WI$35,0002025RESTRICTED
    THE MASQUERS INCMANITOWOC, WI$34,0002025RESTRICTED
    LESTER PUBLIC LIBRARYTWO RIVERS, WI$30,0002025RESTRICTED
    PAINTING PATHWAYSMANITOWOC, WI$30,0002025RESTRICTED
    CAPITOL CIVIC CENTREMANITOWOC, WI$30,0002025RESTRICTED
    MANITOWOC PUBLIC LIBRARYMANITOWOC, WI$30,0002025UNRESTRICTED
    GIRL SCOUTS OF MANITOU COUNCILSHEBOYGAN, WI$30,0002025RESTRICTED
    HMONG HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INCTWO RIVERS, WI$30,0002025RESTRICTED
    AURORA HEALTH FOUNDATIONTWO RIVERS, WI$25,7502025RESTRICTED
    RAHR WEST ART MUEUM CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONMANITOWOC, WI$25,0002025UNRESTRICTED
    REEDSVILLE AREA YOUTH SPORTS INC ON BEHALF OF REEDSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICTREEDSVILLE, WI$25,0002025RESTRICTED
    JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTERSHEBOYGAN, WI$25,0002025RESTRICTED
    MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETYMANITOWOC, WI$25,0002025UNRESTRICTED
    SALVATION ARMY OF MANITOWOCMANITOWOC, WI$25,0002025RESTRICTED
    HYGEIA CORPCATO, WI$25,0002025RESTRICTED
    LIGHTHOUSE RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER INCMANITOWOC, WI$25,0002025UNRESTRICTED
    RAHR WEST ART MUEUM CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONMANITOWOC, WI$25,0002025RESTRICTED
    GROW IT FORWARD INCMANITOWOC, WI$22,7192025RESTRICTED
    SHARON S RICHARDSON COMMUNITY HOSPICESHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI$22,3422025RESTRICTED

    MANITOWOC PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

    $300,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LAKESHORE HUMANE SOCIETY

    $250,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    DEMENTIA INNOVATIONS INC

    $250,000
    SHEBOYGAN, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER INC

    $250,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    ASCEND SERVICES INC

    $150,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

    $150,000
    APPLETON, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LAKESHORE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDAATION INC

    $150,000
    CLEVELAND, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

    $130,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LAKESHORE REGIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

    $100,000
    SHEBOYGAN, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    ROGERS STREET FISHING VILLAGE INC

    $100,000
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    CITY OF TWO RIVERS PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT

    $100,000
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    EXCEPTIONAL EQUESTRIANS

    $100,000
    DE PERE, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    WOODLAND DUNES

    $100,000
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LAKESHORE FIRST ROBOTICS

    $95,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    PRODUCTION FARM

    $76,800
    WHITELAW, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    MAGIC - MISHICOT COMMUNITY ATHLETIC COMPLEX

    $75,000
    MISHICOT, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    HOPE HOUSE OF MANITOWOC COUNTY INC

    $75,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GREEN BAY - MANITOWOC CAMPUS

    $75,000
    GREEN BAY, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WISCONSIN SHORELINE INC

    $65,090
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WAICU)

    $60,000
    MADISON, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    GROW IT FORWARD INC

    $50,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    CASA OF EAST CENTRAL WISCONSIN

    $50,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER INC

    $50,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    ASSOCIATES FOR COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION INC

    $50,000
    GREEN BAY, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    ST MARY'S HOME FOR THE AGED INC

    $50,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    HAMILTON WOOD TYPE AND PRINTING MUSEUM

    $48,000
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    MANITOWOC COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER

    $43,780
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LIGHTHOUSE RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER INC

    $40,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    ABOVE AND BEYOND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

    $35,000
    SHEBOYGAN, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LAKELAND UNIVERSITY

    $35,000
    PLYMOUTH, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    TREEHOUSE THEATER

    $35,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    UNRESTRICTED

    MANITOWOC-TWO RIVERS YMCA

    $35,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    THE MASQUERS INC

    $34,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

    $30,000
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    PAINTING PATHWAYS

    $30,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    CAPITOL CIVIC CENTRE

    $30,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    MANITOWOC PUBLIC LIBRARY

    $30,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    UNRESTRICTED

    GIRL SCOUTS OF MANITOU COUNCIL

    $30,000
    SHEBOYGAN, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    HMONG HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INC

    $30,000
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    AURORA HEALTH FOUNDATION

    $25,750
    TWO RIVERS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    RAHR WEST ART MUEUM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    UNRESTRICTED

    REEDSVILLE AREA YOUTH SPORTS INC ON BEHALF OF REEDSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

    $25,000
    REEDSVILLE, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER

    $25,000
    SHEBOYGAN, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

    $25,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    UNRESTRICTED

    SALVATION ARMY OF MANITOWOC

    $25,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    HYGEIA CORP

    $25,000
    CATO, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    LIGHTHOUSE RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER INC

    $25,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    UNRESTRICTED

    RAHR WEST ART MUEUM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    GROW IT FORWARD INC

    $22,719
    MANITOWOC, WI2025

    RESTRICTED

    SHARON S RICHARDSON COMMUNITY HOSPICE

    $22,342
    SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI2025

    RESTRICTED