The Mars Family Foundation concentrates its giving into a small number of sizable gifts that support local children’s health, parochial school programming, and nonprofit fundraising/capacity. Grants indicate a preference for tangible program support (medical equipment, school programs) and underwriting major fundraising activities. The foundation appears locally focused in the Milwaukee/Franklin, WI area and comfortable funding both faith-based education and healthcare-related causes.
Mars Family Foundation Inc puts a clear emphasis on local, project-specific giving, with several of its largest recent grants tied to program support, school programming, and children’s health. In 2025, the foundation gave $75,000 to Charityez Inc for program support, and $59,260 to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Inc for the Children Miracle Network Marathon and IT equipment for children on the cancer unit. Those grants show a pattern of funding both nonprofit infrastructure and direct service to children. Education is another visible thread. The foundation backed Journeys Lutheran School with $52,000 for financial support for programs, and later supported Milwaukee Youth Theater Inc with $20,000 for increased space. It also funded capital and expansion needs at other schools and ministries, including Trinity Lutheran School and Ozaukee Christian School. The grant list also shows targeted support for disability-related services and family-facing community programs, alongside faith-based organizations. Grants to Blue Lotus for a motorized wheelchair and to The Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center for a day program for adults with disabilities indicate interest in practical assistance for specific populations. Overall, the foundation’s recent giving is concentrated in Wisconsin and leans toward tangible, designated uses rather than broad unrestricted philanthropy.
Children’s health appears in the foundation’s largest healthcare-related awards. Mars Family Foundation Inc gave $59,260 to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Inc for the Children Miracle Network Marathon and IT equipment for children on the cancer unit, and $25,000 to Children’s Wisconsin Foundation for financial support for programs. Those gifts point to support for pediatric care and hospital-linked fundraising. In education, the foundation supported parochial and Lutheran schools with awards such as $52,000 to Journeys Lutheran School for financial support for programs and $11,000 to Trinity Lutheran School for the groundbreaking for new classrooms capital program. It also gave $6,000 to Ozaukee Christian School for school expansion. The foundation has also funded disability and mental-health related services. It awarded $15,000 to Blue Lotus for a motorized wheelchair, $10,000 to Cornerstone of Grace for fees for mental health of women, and $10,000 to The Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center for a day program for adults with disabilities.
$289K
$2.7M
$141K
$290K
Most grants fall between $2K and $11K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$11K
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Highly concentrated: very few, relatively large grants per cycle focused on a mix of program support and fundraising/capacity building. Funding is local/regional and targeted rather than broadly distributed; limited evidence of repeat grantees in this sample.
Notable grantees: CharityEZ Inc, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Inc, Journeys Lutheran School
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,625, a median of $6,250, and a p75 of $10,750. The recent list still includes several larger, designated awards, which suggests a blend of small community gifts and fewer major project grants. The foundation appears to be active across multiple years, with grants shown in both 2023 and 2025. Its giving is local and highly concentrated in Wisconsin. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in Wisconsin: 90% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and all listed grants are in the United States. Milwaukee appears repeatedly, including grantees such as Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Inc, Milwaukee Youth Theater Inc, Marcus Center for Performing Arts, and The Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Other Wisconsin recipient cities include West Bend, Watertown, Wauwatosa, Hales Corners, and East Troy. Outside Wisconsin, the list includes Kauai, Hawaii; San Antonio, Texas; and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The foundation backs children’s health, school programming, disability services, mental health support for women, veterans and families in crisis, and faith-based education. Recent grants include awards to hospitals, Lutheran schools, a community center serving adults with disabilities, and a veterans-focused nonprofit.
The typical grant size is $6,250 at the median, with a p25 of $1,625 and a p75 of $10,750. Recent awards range from smaller gifts to larger designated grants, including several in the $50,000+ range.
Yes. 90% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin, and the top state by grant count is WI. The recent recipient list is entirely U.S.-based and includes many organizations in Milwaukee and nearby communities.
Yes. Recent school-related grants include $52,000 to Journeys Lutheran School for financial support for programs, $11,000 to Trinity Lutheran School for the groundbreaking for new classrooms capital program, and $6,000 to Ozaukee Christian School for school expansion.
Yes. The recent list includes $15,000 to Blue Lotus for a motorized wheelchair and $10,000 to The Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center for a day program for adults with disabilities. The topic list also points to assistive devices and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHARITYEZ INC | FRANKLIN, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $59,260 | 2025 | CHILDREN MIRACLE NETWORK MARATHON AND IT EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN ON THE CANCER UNIT |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | INCREASED SPACE |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF WISCONSIN | WAUWATOSA, WI | $18,500 | 2025 | WISH NIGHT TABLE 10PARTNERSHIP WITH MARCUS PREFORMING ARTS |
| BLUE LOTUS | WEST BEND, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR |
| MARCUS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS I | MILWAUKEE, WI | $12,500 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP WITH MAKE A WISH |
| SIEBERT LUTHERAN FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORNERSTONE OF GRACE | WATERTOWN, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | FEES FOR MENTAL HEALTH OF WOMEN |
| THE HARRY AND ROSE SAMSON FAMILY JE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | DAY PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| KAUAI ANIMAL EDUCATION CENTER | KAPAA, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | 3 YEAR PLEDGE |
| BLOOM360 LEARNING COMMUNITY INC | EAST TROY, WI | $8,207 | 2025 | PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
| WISH FOR OUR HEROES INC | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $5,075 | 2025 | HELPING VETERANS AND FIMILIES IN LIFE CRISIES |
| OAKDALE PARK CHURCH | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | FOOD FOR HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY |
| A DOLL LIKE ME INC | NEW BERLIN, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | PERSONLIZED DOLLS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND MEDICAL NEEDS |
| LIFECAMP USA INC | DELIFIELD, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES |
| YOU BEDAZZLE LTD | DEPERE, WI | $4,800 | 2025 | FISH TANK AND HEADBANDS FOR CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS |
| BLUE LOTUS FARM RETREAT CENTER | WEST BEND, WI | $4,400 | 2025 | GIVEN AT FISH TANK |
| ATK MINISTRIES INC | NEW BERLIN, WI | $2,500 | 2025 | CONCERT SERIES |
| 703 WARRIORS | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | ONLINE GRANT COMPLETED |
| FISHING FOR THE HEART INC | SUSSEX, WI | $2,000 | 2025 | EIN XXX-XX-XXXX MATCH FOR GIVING TUESDAY |
| FAITH HOPE LOVE INC | RACINE, WI | $1,800 | 2025 | GIVEN AT FISH TANK EVENT |
| WISCONSIN LUTHEREN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,570 | 2025 | SCHOOL ASSISTANCE |
| LGBT CENTER SE WISCONSIN | RACINE, WI | $1,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $35,000 | 2024 | MOVEABLE THEATER & MUSIC STAGE WITH THE ACOUSTICAL BACKGROUNDPANELS AND 20 MUSIC INSTRUMENTS |
| OZAUKEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | WEST BEND, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | SCHOOL EXPANSION |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH INITITAVE |
| WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2024 | SCHOOL ASSISTANCE |
| MILWAUKEE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $12,000 | 2024 | CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | THEATER PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE |
| SHARE THE GOSPEL JOHN SELLERS | DELAFIELD, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KAUA'I ANIMAL EDUCATION CENTER | KAPAA, HI | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL RESCUE HAWAII. NEW LAWN MOWER FOR THE HUGE PROPERTY |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | 2023 THEATER SUPPORT |
| JOURNEYS LUTHERAN SCHOOL | HALES CORNERS, WI | $9,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS |
| WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,368 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KAUA'I NORTH SHORE FOOD PANTRY | KILAUEA, HI | $5,000 | 2024 | FOOD SHELTER KAUA'I, HAWAII SUPPORT |
| GOD TOUCH | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COPS N KIDS | RACINE, WI | $3,350 | 2024 | FISH TANK JAN 13TH |
| WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH |
| JACARRIE KICKS FOR KIDS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,900 | 2024 | CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL | RACINE, WI | $2,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS |
| WISCONSIN LUTHERAN INSTITUTIONAL MI | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EBENEZER STONE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,950 | 2024 | CHRISTMAS GIVING PROJECT |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL | WEST BEND, WI | $1,512 | 2024 | GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW CLASSROOMS CAPITAL PROGRAM |
| FAITH HOPE LOVE | RACINE, WI | $1,400 | 2024 | FISH TANK JAN 13TH |
| NAMI | RACINE, WI | $1,150 | 2024 | FISH TANK JAN 13TH |
| LUTHERDALE BIBLE CAMP | ELKHORN, WI | $1,150 | 2024 | FISH TANK JAN 13TH |
| BLOOM360 | EAST TROY, WI | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITY ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| ATK MINISTRY | EUSTIS, FL | $1,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WISCONSIN LUTHERAN CHILD FAMILY SER | GERMANTOWN, WI | $600 | 2024 | CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT - SIBERT COLL |
| SERENITY INNS INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $600 | 2024 | CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT - SIEBERY COLLABORATION EVENT |
CHARITYEZ INC
$75,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHILDREN MIRACLE NETWORK MARATHON AND IT EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN ON THE CANCER UNIT
MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATER INC
$20,000INCREASED SPACE
WISH NIGHT TABLE 10PARTNERSHIP WITH MARCUS PREFORMING ARTS
BLUE LOTUS
$15,000MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR
MARCUS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS I
PARTNERSHIP WITH MAKE A WISH
SIEBERT LUTHERAN FOUNDATION INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CORNERSTONE OF GRACE
$10,000FEES FOR MENTAL HEALTH OF WOMEN
KAUAI ANIMAL EDUCATION CENTER
$10,0003 YEAR PLEDGE
BLOOM360 LEARNING COMMUNITY INC
$8,207PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
WISH FOR OUR HEROES INC
$5,075HELPING VETERANS AND FIMILIES IN LIFE CRISIES
OAKDALE PARK CHURCH
$5,000FOOD FOR HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY
A DOLL LIKE ME INC
$5,000PERSONLIZED DOLLS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND MEDICAL NEEDS
LIFECAMP USA INC
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES
YOU BEDAZZLE LTD
$4,800FISH TANK AND HEADBANDS FOR CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS
BLUE LOTUS FARM RETREAT CENTER
$4,400GIVEN AT FISH TANK
ATK MINISTRIES INC
$2,500CONCERT SERIES
703 WARRIORS
$2,500ONLINE GRANT COMPLETED
FISHING FOR THE HEART INC
$2,000EIN XXX-XX-XXXX MATCH FOR GIVING TUESDAY
FAITH HOPE LOVE INC
$1,800GIVEN AT FISH TANK EVENT
WISCONSIN LUTHEREN
$1,570SCHOOL ASSISTANCE
LGBT CENTER SE WISCONSIN
$1,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$35,000MOVEABLE THEATER & MUSIC STAGE WITH THE ACOUSTICAL BACKGROUNDPANELS AND 20 MUSIC INSTRUMENTS
CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
$25,000MENTAL HEALTH INITITAVE
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000SCHOOL ASSISTANCE
MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE
$10,000THEATER PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE
SHARE THE GOSPEL JOHN SELLERS
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KAUA'I ANIMAL EDUCATION CENTER
$10,000ANIMAL RESCUE HAWAII. NEW LAWN MOWER FOR THE HUGE PROPERTY
MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE
$10,0002023 THEATER SUPPORT
JOURNEYS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$9,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$5,368PROGRAM SUPPORT
KAUA'I NORTH SHORE FOOD PANTRY
$5,000FOOD SHELTER KAUA'I, HAWAII SUPPORT
GOD TOUCH
$5,000CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT
COPS N KIDS
$3,350FISH TANK JAN 13TH
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000MENTAL HEALTH
JACARRIE KICKS FOR KIDS
$2,900CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL
$2,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN INSTITUTIONAL MI
$2,000CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT
EBENEZER STONE
$1,950CHRISTMAS GIVING PROJECT
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$1,512GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW CLASSROOMS CAPITAL PROGRAM
FAITH HOPE LOVE
$1,400FISH TANK JAN 13TH
NAMI
$1,150FISH TANK JAN 13TH
LUTHERDALE BIBLE CAMP
$1,150FISH TANK JAN 13TH
BLOOM360
$1,000CHARITY ROOF REPLACEMENT
ATK MINISTRY
$1,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN CHILD FAMILY SER
$600CHARITY PROGRAM SUPPORT - SIBERT COLL