The Theodore W Batterman Family Foundation makes a small number of large, local gifts focused on building educational and youth-serving facilities and programs in the Milwaukee area. Their support concentrates on faith-affiliated schooling (notably Lutheran), youth music infrastructure, and after-school/early childhood program expansion, often via capital campaigns and multi-year commitments. They tend to fund a handful of repeat grantees with multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million dollar grants that finance bricks-and-mortar projects and sustained program support.
A defining pattern of Theodore W Batterman Family Foundation Inc is its use of seven-figure, repeated commitments for school and facility expansion. The same grantee, Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School in Hartland, received $1,002,500 in both 2024 and 2025 for an early childhood and school expansion capital campaign, showing the foundation’s willingness to sustain multi-year projects. Another major line of support has gone to Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Foundation Inc in Madison, with grants for percussion instruments and the campaign to build the WYSO Center for Music. Those gifts point to a funder that backs education, youth development, and arts infrastructure rather than short-term program bursts. The foundation also appears to favor organizations with concrete build-out or capacity needs, including school technology upgrades, playgrounds, neighborhood renovations, and scholarship support. Its recent record includes faith-affiliated schools, youth music institutions, and student aid intermediaries, with several grants structured around capital campaigns, endowment-like support, or specific equipment purchases. The pattern is consistent with a family foundation making a limited number of targeted gifts to institutions serving children, students, and youth-facing communities.
Early childhood and K-12 expansion is a core theme. Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School in Hartland received $1,002,500 in 2025 for an early childhood and school expansion capital campaign, while St Marcus Church and School in Milwaukee received $160,000 in 2024 for upgrading technology for 21st century learning. The same school network also drew $100,000 in 2023 for Harambee Community School renovations, additions, and development. Music education is another clear focus. Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Foundation Inc received $543,334 in 2023 for percussion instrument purchase and $533,333 in both 2024 and 2025 for the campaign to build the WYSO Center for Music. The foundation also supports student access and workforce preparation. Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities received $116,667 in 2024 and $116,666 in 2025 for the WAICU nonprofit internship program, and Milwaukee School of Engineering received $114,800 in 2024 for its annual scholarship program.
$4.9M
$57.2M
$5.2M
$6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, large-scale grants to a small set of repeat local grantees, primarily funding capital campaigns and multi-year program support rather than many small or one-off gifts.
Notable grantees: Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Foundation, Badgerland Afterschool Enrichment Program (BASE)
Typical grants are relatively large: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. The recent grants list shows a much higher upper tier as well, including multiple awards above $500,000 and several seven-figure commitments. Recipients often reappear across years, especially for campaigns and ongoing program support. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, and it makes grants to individuals. Its recent gifts show a mix of capital campaign support, mission support, scholarships, and specific purchases such as instruments and technology.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Wisconsin, with 63% of grants going to recipients in the headquarters state. Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville, Oconomowoc, Hartland, and Fort Atkinson appear repeatedly in recent grants. Outside Wisconsin, Florida is the top state by grant count, and the recent list includes Orlando through Wycliffe Bible Translators. The foundation also gives nationally to organizations such as Boone, North Carolina; Federal Way, Washington; and other U.S. locations, but the recipient country distribution is entirely domestic: 282 grants, or 100.0%, went to U.S. recipients.
The recent record shows repeated support for capital campaigns and facility development, especially early childhood and school expansion, youth music infrastructure, school technology upgrades, playground construction, and neighborhood renovations. It also supports scholarships, internship programs, and mission support for youth-serving and faith-affiliated organizations.
Yes. Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School received $1,002,500 in both 2024 and 2025 for the same capital campaign, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Foundation Inc received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Badgerland Afterschool Enrichment Program received $510,000 in both 2024 and 2025.
The grant-size distribution centers on $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent giving also includes much larger awards, so the distribution is skewed by a small number of major commitments.
Most grants go to recipients in Wisconsin, which accounts for 63% of grants in the data. Recent Wisconsin recipients include organizations in Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville, Oconomowoc, Hartland, and Fort Atkinson.
Yes. Recent examples include $209,000 to Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin for the Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation Scholarship, $109,000 for Janesville Parker and Craig High School scholarships, $114,800 to Milwaukee School of Engineering for its annual scholarship program, and $116,667 in 2024 plus $116,666 in 2025 for the WAICU nonprofit internship program.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIVINE REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL | HARTLAND, WI | $1,002,500 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL EXPANSION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WISCONSIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $533,333 | 2025 | THE CAMPAIGN TO BUILD THE WYSO CENTER FOR MUSIC |
| BADGERLAND AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (BASE) | FORT ATKINSON, WI | $510,000 | 2025 | MISSION SUPPORT |
| CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER | MADISON, WI | $205,000 | 2025 | MISSION SUPPORT/GREATEST NEED |
| ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | ST. PAUL'S PLAYGROUND |
| WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS | ORLANDO, FL | $135,000 | 2025 | MORRIS & WENDY JOHNSON MINISTRY SUPPORT 2024-2025 |
| WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES | MADISON, WI | $116,666 | 2025 | WAICU NONPROFIT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN | JANESVILLE, WI | $109,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR JANESVILLE PARKER AND CRAIG HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS - GRADUATING CLASSES OF 2023-2027 |
| GLACIAL COMMUNITY YMCA | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $105,000 | 2025 | WATERTOWN YMCA MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL |
| CENTER FOR URBAN TEACHING | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | 2024 & 2025 CENTER FOR URBAN TEACHING SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $90,000 | 2025 | MISSION SUPPORT |
| CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN | MEQUON, WI | $82,633 | 2025 | ERNA BATTERMAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT GAP FUNDING 2024 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | 2023 HYDROCEPHALUS UGANDA PROJECT |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD (LCMS) | ST LOUIS, MO | $72,500 | 2025 | ENRICHING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN AFRICA |
| JOURNEYS LUTHERAN SCHOOL | HALES CORNER, WI | $63,500 | 2025 | JOURNEYS LUTHERAN SCHOOL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM UPDATE |
| WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $60,000 | 2025 | TUITION GAP FUNDING FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS |
| WORLD VISION | FEDERAL WAY, WA | $55,000 | 2025 | WORLD VISION HONDURAS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT/THRIVE PROGRAM |
| LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES | ST LOUIS, MO | $55,000 | 2025 | MISSION SUPPORT |
| LUTHERAN HOME INC | WAUWATOSA, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | READYCNA TRAINING/CERTIFICATION PROGRAM |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | IMPACT--SCHOOL EXPANSION |
| KANDU INDUSTRIES | JANESVILLE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | "REMARKABLE WORK HAPPENING INSIDE" CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL OF FREISTADT | MEQUON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | CLASSROOM EXPANSION AND PIANO LAB PROJECT |
| KETTLE MORAINE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | JACKSON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | KML FACILITY EXPANSION |
| COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | COMPASSIONS GLOBAL SURVIVAL INITIATIVES |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY - $8 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ZACHARIAH'S ACRES | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | GREATEST NEED/GENERAL SUPPORT GIFT |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK | MANHATTAN BEACH, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PANCAN PATIENT SERVICES: OFFERING HOPE AND SUPPORT TO PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS |
| KINGDOM PREP LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL KITCHEN INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION |
| CHRISTIAN FAMILY SOLUTIONS | GERMANTOWN, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | MILWAUKEE SCHOOL AND CHURCH BASED COUNSELING PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MADISON COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FORT ATKINSON STUDENTS |
| LAKESIDE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | LAKE MILLS, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | STEM PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| YMCA OF NORTHERN ROCK COUNTY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $45,000 | 2025 | FRIENDS OF YOUTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE |
| KINGDOM WORKERS | WAUKESHA, WI | $45,000 | 2025 | MALAWI DISABILITY EXPANSION |
| ORANGE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION | TRUSTIN, CA | $37,000 | 2025 | VILLAGE OF HOPE |
| WOODCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM | RIVERSIDE, CA | $34,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | WEST ALLIS, WI | $29,335 | 2025 | STARFISH FUND |
| TIME OF GRACE MINISTRY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | TIME OF GRACE TELEVISION MEDIA MARKET EXPANSION |
| LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH CENTER FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH CENTER - GARDEN HOMES FLOORING |
| SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN EXPANSION |
| SALTY EARTH PICTURES | LAKE MILLS, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | ONE BY ONE FEATURE FILM AND MOVIE CRITTERS SEASON 2 |
| LUTHERAN COUNSELING AND FAMILY SERVICES OF WISCONSIN | WAUWATOSA, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | IN SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING |
| SALVATION ARMY JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT |
| COME REASON MINISTRIES | RIVERSIDE, CA | $24,400 | 2025 | 2024 FAMILY GRANT |
| CROWN OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | FORT ATKINSON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | 4K EXPANSION |
| FORT ATKINSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | FORT ATKINSON, WI | $18,000 | 2025 | RENEWAL OF THEODORE W. BATTERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| AMAZING GRACE VIRTUAL ACADEMY | NEW ULM, MN | $18,000 | 2025 | AMAZING GRACE VIRTUAL ACADEMY SENIOR CURRICULUM AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN |
| SALVATION ARMY MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT |
| MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION FOR SELECTED BATTERMAN FOUNDATION LUTHERAN SCHOOLS |
| ECHO INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT |
| BETHEL UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | MARILYN H. BATTERMAN MEMORIAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS |
DIVINE REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL
$1,002,500EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL EXPANSION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
WISCONSIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS FOUNDATION INC
$533,333THE CAMPAIGN TO BUILD THE WYSO CENTER FOR MUSIC
BADGERLAND AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (BASE)
$510,000MISSION SUPPORT
CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER
$205,000MISSION SUPPORT/GREATEST NEED
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL JANESVILLE
$150,000ST. PAUL'S PLAYGROUND
WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS
$135,000MORRIS & WENDY JOHNSON MINISTRY SUPPORT 2024-2025
WAICU NONPROFIT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
SUPPORT FOR JANESVILLE PARKER AND CRAIG HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS - GRADUATING CLASSES OF 2023-2027
2024 & 2025 CENTER FOR URBAN TEACHING SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN
$82,633ERNA BATTERMAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT GAP FUNDING 2024
LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD (LCMS)
$72,500ENRICHING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN AFRICA
JOURNEYS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$63,500JOURNEYS LUTHERAN SCHOOL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM UPDATE
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$60,000TUITION GAP FUNDING FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
$55,000MISSION SUPPORT
LUTHERAN HOME INC
$50,000READYCNA TRAINING/CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$50,000IMPACT--SCHOOL EXPANSION
KANDU INDUSTRIES
$50,000"REMARKABLE WORK HAPPENING INSIDE" CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL OF FREISTADT
$50,000CLASSROOM EXPANSION AND PIANO LAB PROJECT
KETTLE MORAINE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000KML FACILITY EXPANSION
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL
$50,000COMPASSIONS GLOBAL SURVIVAL INITIATIVES
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY
$50,000CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY - $8 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
PANCAN PATIENT SERVICES: OFFERING HOPE AND SUPPORT TO PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS
KINGDOM PREP LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL INC
$50,000SCHOOL KITCHEN INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION
CHRISTIAN FAMILY SOLUTIONS
$50,000MILWAUKEE SCHOOL AND CHURCH BASED COUNSELING PROGRAM SUPPORT
MADISON COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$50,000SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FORT ATKINSON STUDENTS
LAKESIDE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000STEM PROGRAM EXPANSION
FRIENDS OF YOUTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF GREATER MILWAUKEE
$29,335STARFISH FUND
LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$25,000LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH CENTER - GARDEN HOMES FLOORING
SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN OF WISCONSIN
$25,000SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN EXPANSION
SALTY EARTH PICTURES
$25,000ONE BY ONE FEATURE FILM AND MOVIE CRITTERS SEASON 2
LUTHERAN COUNSELING AND FAMILY SERVICES OF WISCONSIN
$25,000IN SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
SALVATION ARMY JANESVILLE
$25,000FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT
COME REASON MINISTRIES
$24,4002024 FAMILY GRANT
CROWN OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$20,0004K EXPANSION
RENEWAL OF THEODORE W. BATTERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
AMAZING GRACE VIRTUAL ACADEMY
$18,000AMAZING GRACE VIRTUAL ACADEMY SENIOR CURRICULUM AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN
SALVATION ARMY MILWAUKEE
$15,000FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT
EDUCATION FOR SELECTED BATTERMAN FOUNDATION LUTHERAN SCHOOLS