Health and human services funders that cover food security, mental health, and community wellness tend to blur together on paper. These two differ sharply in scale and geography, which makes them worth comparing side by side.

What we know: The foundation funds basic needs, mental health, capacity building, and community collaboration for 501(c)(3) organizations. Recent grantmaking skews toward concrete human services work: food access, housing, dental care, youth mentoring, and literacy. Educational institutions, private foundations, and individuals are explicitly excluded.

Realistic fit: community-based nonprofits in Northeast Wisconsin delivering direct services in food, housing, health, or youth development.

What we know: Across 1,197 lifetime grants, the foundation-wide median is $1,000, with a 75th percentile of $5,000. That said, a large share of total dollars has flowed through intermediaries like Blackbaud Giving Fund ($2.3 million) and to major partners like Project HOPE ($909,000). About 24% of grants went to North Carolina organizations, with California, New York, and Texas following.

Realistic fit: US-based nonprofits working in food access, patient services, STEM education, or preventive health, especially those with a community health angle.

The Keller Foundation's pre-application meeting requirement for large grants is worth noting. If you're considering a request over $25,000, reach out to their staff before drafting a full proposal.