The Schmidt Family Foundation concentrates on education and direct-service community grants, with a strong emphasis on faith-affiliated and independent primary schools, youth-focused programs, and basic-needs/housing services in the Fox Valley region and select larger urban partners (notably Chicago). They fund a mix of local human services (homelessness, housing stability, basic needs), youth employment/education innovations, regional philanthropic intermediaries, and some children’s health investments. Repeat multi-year support to several organizations indicates long-term relationships rather than one-off giving.
A defining feature of The William J and Barbara a Schmidt Family Foundation Inc is its sustained support for Chicago Jesuit Academy, including a $461,558 grant in 2025 and a $455,000 grant in 2023. That pattern sits alongside a broader portfolio that mixes faith-affiliated schooling, housing and shelter, youth employment, and basic-needs intermediaries. The foundation’s recent grants show a funder that works through both direct-service organizations and pooled local partners, with awards to schools, shelters, community funds, and human-services groups across Wisconsin and nearby Illinois. Education is a major thread in the portfolio, especially primary and elementary schooling. Grants to Chiaravalle Montessori School, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System, and North Shore Country Day School indicate attention to independent and Catholic school settings. At the same time, the foundation has backed homelessness and housing supports through organizations such as Connections for the Homeless, Pillars, and COTS, while also supporting youth employment efforts through Revolution Workshop. Health and family support also appear, including a grant to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation. The overall pattern suggests a regional foundation with repeated relationships rather than isolated gifts.
Education appears in several forms. The foundation gave $100,000 in 2023 to St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System in Appleton for education, and it supported Chiaravalle Montessori School in Evanston with $95,000 in 2024 and $80,000 in 2023 for primary and elementary schools. It also granted $25,000 in 2023 to North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka for education. Housing and shelter is another clear area. Connections for the Homeless received $175,000 in 2024 for housing and shelter, plus $50,000 in 2023 for homeless centers. Pillars in Appleton received $50,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for housing and shelter, along with $30,000 in 2023 for housing support. COTS in Appleton received $50,000 in 2025 and $25,000 in 2023 for homeless centers. The foundation also backs workforce and youth pathways. Revolution Workshop in Chicago received $75,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for employment and job-related work, while Headsup Fox Cities in Menasha received $147,393 in 2025 for human services.
$1.4M
$7M
$543K
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $23K and $76K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$23K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$76K
BARBARA SCHMIDT
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Moderately concentrated: a small number of repeat, multi-grant relationships receive a large share of dollars (several organizations received 2–3 grants and the largest few comprise a disproportionate share of funding). Grants are a mix of mid-size to large gifts (many five-figure to six-figure awards), focused locally in Appleton/Fox Valley with selective larger-city (Chicago) investments and occasional international giving.
Notable grantees: Chicago Jesuit Academy, Connections for the Homeless (Fox Valley), COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter), Chiaravalle Montessori School, WisdomEsther
Typical grants cluster around $25,000, with a median of $25,000, a 25th percentile of $22,875, and a 75th percentile of $76,250. The recent record shows repeat support across multiple years for several recipients, including Chicago Jesuit Academy, Chiaravalle Montessori School, Connections for the Homeless, Revolution Workshop, Pillars, Leaven, COTS, and Riverview Gardens. That indicates ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation is a family foundation, led by Barbara Schmidt, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants are made regionally rather than nationally.
Most grants go to Wisconsin recipients, with 62% of grants in the HQ state. Illinois is the top state by grant count, reflecting a strong Chicago-area presence alongside Wisconsin giving. Recent recipient cities include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Menasha, Appleton, Neenah, and Green Bay. All recorded grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients, so the geographic footprint is domestic and regional rather than international.
Recent grants cluster around Catholic and independent primary schools, housing and shelter providers, youth employment programs, and basic-needs intermediaries. Examples include Chicago Jesuit Academy, Chiaravalle Montessori School, Connections for the Homeless, Pillars, Revolution Workshop, and Basic Needs Giving Partnership.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Chicago Jesuit Academy, Chiaravalle Montessori School, Connections for the Homeless, Revolution Workshop, Pillars, Leaven, COTS, and Riverview Gardens. The pattern suggests continued relationships rather than isolated awards.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers around $25,000. The p25 is $22,875, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $76,250. Recent awards range from smaller $25,000 grants to larger six-figure gifts.
Most grants go to Wisconsin recipients, with 62% of grants in the HQ state. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and recent recipient cities include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Menasha, Appleton, Neenah, and Green Bay.
No. The foundation’s profile indicates it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its support is directed to organizations and intermediaries instead.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY | CHICAGO, IL | $461,558 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WISDOMESTHER | NEENAH, WI | $221,351 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM |
| HEADSUP FOX CITIES | MENASHA, WI | $147,393 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| LEAVEN INC | MENASHA, WI | $123,697 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| THOMPSON CENTER ON LOURDES INC | APPLETON, WI | $98,262 | 2025 | RECREATION & SPORTS |
| BASIC NEEDS GIVING PARTNERSHIP INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $76,090 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC (APPLETON) | APPLETON, WI | $65,000 | 2025 | RELIGION-RELATED |
| COTS | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | HOUSING & SHELTER |
| REVOLUTION WORKSHOP | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | EMPLOYMENT, JOB RELATED |
| PILLARS | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | HOUSING & SHELTER |
| RIVERVIEW GARDENS INC | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| US VENTURE ASSOCIATES CARING TOGETHER FUND INC | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SAFETY, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RELIEF |
| KENYA WORKS | APPLETON, WI | $21,261 | 2025 | INTERNATIONAL, FOREIGN AFFAIRS |
| COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET | MENASHA, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS INC | EVANSTON, IL | $175,000 | 2024 | HOUSING & SHELTER |
| GEANCO FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| CHIARAVALLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL | EVANSTON, IL | $95,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| REVOLUTION WORKSHOP | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2024 | EMPLOYMENT, JOB RELATED |
| BASIC NEEDS GIVING PARTNERSHIP INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $70,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| PILLARS | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | HOUSING & SHELTER |
| LEAVEN INC | MENASHA, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| RIVERVIEW GARDENS INC | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | ENVIRONMENT |
| COTS | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | HOUSING & SHELTER |
| KENYA WORKS | APPLETON, WI | $23,500 | 2024 | INTERNATIONAL, FOREIGN AFFAIRS |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC | APPLETON, WI | $16,000 | 2024 | RELIGION-RELATED |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | FOOD, AGRICULTURE & NUTRITION |
| WISDOMESTHER | NEENAH, WI | $7,500 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY | CHICAGO, IL | $455,000 | 2023 | PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO FDN | CHICAGO, IL | $225,000 | 2023 | HEALTH CARE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE FOX VALLEY REGION INC | APPLETON, WI | $141,000 | 2023 | HUMANITIES |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM | APPLETON, WI | $100,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION |
| CHIARAVALLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL | EVANSTON, IL | $80,000 | 2023 | PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS |
| CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS INC | EVANSTON, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | HOMELESS CENTERS |
| PILLARS | APPLETON, WI | $30,000 | 2023 | HOUSING SUPPORT |
| RIVERVIEW GARDENS | APPLETON, WI | $27,000 | 2023 | LAND RESOURCES CONSERVATION |
| REVOLUTION WORKSHOP | NORTHBROOK, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | EMPLOYMENT, JOB RELATED |
| NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | WINNETKA, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION |
| LEAVEN INC | MENASHA, WI | $25,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT N.E.C. |
| US VENTURE ASSOCIATES CARING TOGETHER FUND INC | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2023 | PUBLIC SAFETY, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RELIEF |
| COTS | APPLETON, WI | $25,000 | 2023 | HOMELESS CENTERS |
| KENYA WORKS | APPLETON, WI | $21,000 | 2023 | INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | APPLETON, WI | $16,000 | 2023 | RELIGION-RELATED |
| FOX RIVER ACADEMY | APPLETON, WI | $15,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION |
| DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN - FOX CITIES | APPLETON, WI | $15,000 | 2023 | DISEASES, DISORDERS & MEDICAL DISCIPLINES |
| WISDOMESTHER | NEENAH, WI | $7,500 | 2023 | FEDERATED GIVING PROGRAMS |
CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY
$461,558EDUCATION
HEADSUP FOX CITIES
$147,393HUMAN SERVICES
PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC (APPLETON)
$65,000RELIGION-RELATED
US VENTURE ASSOCIATES CARING TOGETHER FUND INC
$25,000PUBLIC SAFETY, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RELIEF
KENYA WORKS
$21,261INTERNATIONAL, FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CHIARAVALLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$95,000EDUCATION
CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY
$60,000EDUCATION
KENYA WORKS
$23,500INTERNATIONAL, FOREIGN AFFAIRS
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC
$16,000RELIGION-RELATED
CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY
$455,000PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
$100,000EDUCATION
CHIARAVALLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$80,000PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
US VENTURE ASSOCIATES CARING TOGETHER FUND INC
$25,000PUBLIC SAFETY, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RELIEF
KENYA WORKS
$21,000INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$16,000RELIGION-RELATED
FOX RIVER ACADEMY
$15,000EDUCATION
DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN - FOX CITIES
$15,000DISEASES, DISORDERS & MEDICAL DISCIPLINES