The Scott & Kathryn Happ Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of large, targeted awards, primarily in Wisconsin. Their grants emphasize supporting women's recovery and social services (notably Meta House), higher-education capacity-building via endowed professorships at the University of Wisconsin, and medical research into breast cancer. The foundation makes repeat, substantial grants—including capital campaign and endowed positions—rather than many small gifts.
A defining feature of Scott & Kathryn Happ Foundation Inc is its repeated use of large, targeted grants for a few priorities rather than broad, high-volume giving. The clearest example is Meta House in Milwaukee, which received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for general purpose and capital campaign support. That kind of multi-year backing also appears in higher education, where the foundation funded the University of Wisconsin Foundation for an economics professorship and professorship fund, and in health philanthropy through breast cancer research support. The pattern suggests a funder that returns to the same institutions when it is backing capital, endowment, or research needs. The foundation’s recent grants also show attention to social services and nonprofit infrastructure. Children’s Wisconsin Foundation received multiple awards for general purpose and research support, while Wisconsin Humane Society and other nonprofits received smaller unrestricted gifts. Alongside those core areas, the foundation has made event-linked and disaster-response grants, including support tied to Hurricane Helene and the American Red Cross. Across the recent record, its giving combines a few six-figure commitments with a longer tail of modest grants.
Women’s residential recovery is a central theme. Meta House in Milwaukee received $250,000 in 2023, $250,000 in 2024, and $250,000 in 2025, with the purpose split between general purpose and capital campaign support. Higher education is another recurring area. The University of Wisconsin Foundation in Milwaukee received $125,000 in 2024 for a professorship fund in economics, followed by $100,000 in 2023 for an endowed professorship and $75,000 in 2025 for the same professorship fund. The foundation also supports medical research. Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation in Chicago received $100,000 in 2025 and $25,000 in 2024 for research. Cure Epilepsy in Chicago received $5,000 in 2024 for research. Smaller grants extend to social impact and community organizations, including the American Heart Association for a social impact fund and National Ramah Commission Inc for general purpose support.
Typical gifts are clustered around a modest middle, with a p25 of $1,854, median of $5,000, and p75 of $10,000. The distribution includes a few very large awards, especially three $250,000 grants to Meta House and six-figure gifts to the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation. The record also shows repeat funding over multiple years, especially for the same institutions and purposes. Grants are mostly general purpose, research, capital campaign, or endowed-position support, which points to flexible operating help as well as longer-term institutional funding. The foundation is a private family foundation and does not fund individuals.
$548K
$14.5M
$425K
$619K
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated giving with large gifts to a few repeat grantees; mix of capital/campaign support and endowed academic funding rather than dispersed small grants.
Notable grantees: Meta House, University of Wisconsin Foundation, Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation
Grant recipients are almost entirely in the United States, with 45 grants going to U.S. organizations. Wisconsin is the top state by grant count and accounts for 38% of grants, with Milwaukee appearing repeatedly through Meta House, the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and Children’s Wisconsin Foundation. Other cited recipient cities include Chicago, New York, Bronx, Big Sky, Saukville, Burlington, Lakewood, and Washington, DC. The foundation’s giving is national in scope, but the strongest concentration is in Wisconsin.
The recent record shows support for women’s residential recovery services, higher education, breast cancer research, children’s health, humane services, faith/community organizations, and disaster response. Examples include Meta House, the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation, Children’s Wisconsin Foundation, Wisconsin Humane Society, and the American Red Cross.
The foundation’s grant sizes are usually modest, with a p25 of $1,854, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $10,000. The distribution also includes a smaller number of much larger awards, including repeated $250,000 grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years. Meta House received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the University of Wisconsin Foundation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation received grants in 2024 and 2025.
Wisconsin is the top state by grant count, and 38% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin. Milwaukee is a recurring recipient city, especially through Meta House, the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and Children’s Wisconsin Foundation.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| META HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2026 | PROJECT HORIZON CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | PROFESSORSHIP FUND IN ECONOMICS |
| LYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | HAPP FAMILY FUND GIFT |
| SPANISH PEAKS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BIG SKY, MT | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL GIFT |
| NATIONAL RAMAH COMMISSION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | PAWS AND CLAWS ANNUAL GALA |
| TURNING POINT CENTER OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY | BURLINGTON, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | TIP-UPS FOR TIM |
| NEXT DOOR | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | DETROIT, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MILWAUKEE PBS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY | NEWTON, MA | $1,854 | 2026 | RACE FOR HOPE |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY (LIGHT THE NIGHT) | NEW YORK, NY | $1,800 | 2026 | LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER (CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL) | NEW YORK, NY | $1,800 | 2026 | CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL |
| MILWAUKEE AREA YOUTH GOLF ACADEMY | GLENDALE, WI | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| META HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| LYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | PROFESSORSHIP FUND IN ECONOMICS |
| CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL RAMAH COMMISSION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | SAUKVILLE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SPANISH PEAKS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BIG SKY, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $6,800 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE | LAKEWOOD, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,050 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE |
| MILWAUKEE PBS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ASPCA | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HUMANE SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE |
| NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY | NEWTON, MA | $1,854 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MSK CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $1,800 | 2025 | CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL |
| SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL SUPPLIES |
| MANNA FOODBANK | ASHEVILLE, NC | $500 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE |
| META HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $125,000 | 2024 | PROFESSORSHIP FUND IN ECONOMICS |
| CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| LYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH |
| SPANISH PEAKS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BIG SKY, MT | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL RAMAH COMMISSION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | SAUKVILLE, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE ADATH ISRAEL OF RIVERDALE | BRONX, NY | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CURE EPILEPSY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH |
| TURNING POINT CENTER OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY | BURLINGTON, VA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE | LAKEWOOD, CO | $2,060 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MILWAUKEE PBS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY | NEWTON, MA | $1,854 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,800 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MARCH OF DIMES | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,030 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| META HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2023 | ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP |
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$100,000PROFESSORSHIP FUND IN ECONOMICS
CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$25,000HAPP FAMILY FUND GIFT
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
TURNING POINT CENTER OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY
$5,000TIP-UPS FOR TIM
NEXT DOOR
$5,000GENERAL DONATION
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
$5,000GENERAL DONATION
MILWAUKEE PBS
$2,000GENERAL DONATION
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY (LIGHT THE NIGHT)
$1,800LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER (CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL)
$1,800CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL
MILWAUKEE AREA YOUTH GOLF ACADEMY
$500GENERAL DONATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$75,000PROFESSORSHIP FUND IN ECONOMICS
CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
$6,800GENERAL PURPOSE
MILWAUKEE PBS
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,000HURRICANE HELENE
MSK CANCER CENTER
$1,800CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL
SALVATION ARMY
$1,000SCHOOL SUPPLIES
MANNA FOODBANK
$500HURRICANE HELENE
WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE ADATH ISRAEL OF RIVERDALE
$6,000GENERAL PURPOSE
TURNING POINT CENTER OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
MILWAUKEE PBS
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION
$100,000ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP