The Sub‑Zero Group Foundation concentrates its giving on strengthening local community wellbeing in Madison/Dane County through large, unrestricted gifts to service providers and civic intermediaries. Its grants support emergency relief and health services, basic needs like food security, and youth and family programs—often via repeat, sizable awards to a small set of trusted organizations. The foundation also makes pass‑through or partner grants to other philanthropic entities, indicating a focus on flexible, general operating support rather than project‑restricted funding.
Sub-zero Group Foundation Inc C/o Sub-zero Group Inc made its largest recent gift to YMCA of Dane County, a $1,860,000 unrestricted charitable grant in 2025. That award fits a clear pattern in the foundation’s giving: large, flexible support to local organizations that work on health, food access, youth services, and emergency assistance in the Madison area and nearby Dane County communities. The foundation’s recent grants also show repeated support for United Way of Dane County and River Food Pantry, alongside funding for community centers and human services providers. The foundation’s grantmaking reaches beyond one-off project support. Many awards are described as unrestricted charitable grants or greatest-need support, suggesting a preference for letting recipient organizations direct dollars where needs are most pressing. Its portfolio includes service providers, civic intermediaries, and nonprofit partners working with children, families, and vulnerable households. The grant list also includes gifts to other foundations, pointing to a willingness to use intermediary organizations when that fits the local funding strategy. Across the recent record, the emphasis stays close to practical community needs rather than narrow program sponsorship.
In youth and community health work, the foundation gave $1,860,000 to YMCA of Dane County for unrestricted charitable support. It also backed Madison Public Schools Foundation Inc with a $50,000 unrestricted charitable grant, linking youth-serving institutions with broader community wellbeing. Food access is another visible theme. River Food Pantry received a $250,000 unrestricted charitable grant, and Second Harvest Food Bank received $25,000 in 2025. The grant list also includes Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens and Reap Food Group, showing a clear connection to local food security and food-system support. Human services and emergency response appear repeatedly as well. United Way of Dane County received $270,000 in 2023 and $104,500 in 2025, while American Red Cross received $150,000 in 2023 and $110,170 in 2024. These awards point to support for direct assistance, crisis response, and local coordination.
$2.8M
$3.6M
$744K
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $750 and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$750
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, local giving characterized by a small number of large, often unrestricted grants; frequent repeat funding to established community institutions and occasional pass‑through grants to other foundations.
Notable grantees: YMCA of Dane County, United Way of Dane County, American Red Cross, River Food Pantry, Ed Nebbins Foundation
Typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s largest awards: p25 is $750, median is $1,500, and p75 is $5,000. The recent grant list also shows a small number of much larger charitable gifts, including seven-figure and six-figure awards. Giving appears recurring rather than strictly one-time. United Way of Dane County, American Red Cross, Goodman Community Center, and Ed Nebbins Foundation each appear in multiple years, often with different grant descriptions. The foundation funds individuals and does not make program-related investments. It also uses unrestricted charitable grants frequently, which suggests flexible operating support is a regular part of its approach.
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly Wisconsin-based: 89% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Wisconsin is also the top state by grant count. Madison appears often, with recipients such as YMCA of Dane County, United Way of Dane County, River Food Pantry, and Madison Public Schools Foundation Inc. Other Wisconsin cities in the recent list include Verona, Middleton, Sun Prairie, and Blue Ash is outside the state. All recorded recipient-country grants are in the US, with 145 grants in that country.
The recent grants show support for community health, food security, youth programs, and human services. Examples include YMCA of Dane County for unrestricted charitable support, River Food Pantry for unrestricted charitable support, and American Red Cross for human services and greatest-need support.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including United Way of Dane County, American Red Cross, Goodman Community Center, and Ed Nebbins Foundation. Some of those repeat grants also change in label, shifting between unrestricted charitable support and human services or greatest-need support.
The reported grant-size distribution is p25 $750, median $1,500, and p75 $5,000. That sits alongside a smaller number of much larger awards, including six-figure and seven-figure gifts in the recent grant list.
Its giving is local, with Wisconsin as the top state by grant count and 89% of grants going to recipients in Wisconsin. Madison and nearby Dane County cities such as Verona, Middleton, and Sun Prairie appear frequently in the recent grants.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, in addition to making grants to nonprofit organizations and charitable intermediaries.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Sub-Zero Group Foundation Inc C/O Sub-Zero Group that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organizations focused on youth education, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle programs near Sub-Zero facilities.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $1,860,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| RIVER FOOD PANTRY | MADISON, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| UNITED WAY OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $104,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NETWORK | VERONA, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CHEF ANN FOUNDATION | BOULDER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| REAP FOOD GROUP | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BAYVIEW FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MADISON AREA FOOD PANTRY GARDENS | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SUNSHINE PLACE INC | SUN PRAIRIE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| WAYFORWARD RESOURCES INC | MIDDLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| EAST MADISON COMMUNITY CENTER | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES | BLUE ASH, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AGRACE HOSPICECARE INC | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| HAWKEYE AREA COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM | HIAWATHA, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BEYOND TYPE 1 | SAN MATEO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| WISCONSIN LIONS FOUNDATION | ROSHOLT, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| LUSSIER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BADGER ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| URBAN FARMING EDUCATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| THE FIRST TEE | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SPECIALTY CARE FREE CLINIC | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| KEEP WISCONSIN WARMCOOL FUND | MADISON, WI | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CLEAN LAKES ALLIANCE | MADISON, WI | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ALDO LEOPOLD NATURE CENTER | MONONA, WI | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BABIES AND BEYOND | MADISON, WI | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| KAMMER FAMILY FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $500 | 2025 | UNIVERSITY AVENUE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS |
| RSVP OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ED NEBBINS FOUNDATION | VERONA, WI | $500,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $110,170 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| UNITED WAY OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $72,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| JDRF WISCONSIN CHAPTER | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AGRACE HOSPICECARE INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| APPARO ACADEMY | AUGUSTA, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MACC FUND | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| THE PLAYING FIELD | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| EASTER SEALS WISCONSIN INC | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL | MADISON, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FIRST TEE | WEST ALLIS, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
YMCA OF DANE COUNTY
$1,860,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
BREAKTHROUGH T1D
$30,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
REAP FOOD GROUP
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
MADISON AREA FOOD PANTRY GARDENS
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SUNSHINE PLACE INC
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
WAYFORWARD RESOURCES INC
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
EAST MADISON COMMUNITY CENTER
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
AGRACE HOSPICECARE INC
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
WISCONSIN LIONS FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
LUSSIER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
BADGER ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
URBAN FARMING EDUCATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
THE FIRST TEE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SPECIALTY CARE FREE CLINIC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
KEEP WISCONSIN WARMCOOL FUND
$2,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
$1,500UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
$1,500UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
CLEAN LAKES ALLIANCE
$1,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
BABIES AND BEYOND
$1,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
KAMMER FAMILY FOUNDATION
$500UNIVERSITY AVENUE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
RSVP OF DANE COUNTY
$500UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ED NEBBINS FOUNDATION
$500,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
JDRF WISCONSIN CHAPTER
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
AGRACE HOSPICECARE INC
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
EASTER SEALS WISCONSIN INC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
FIRST TEE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT