Kelben Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI · EIN 39-1494625. Reported 245 grants totalling $18.5M to 117 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Kelben Foundation Inc did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $3,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,500 and $5,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $5,332,950. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Way Charities | Milwaukee, WI | $5,332,950 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County | Milwaukee, WI | $4,759,433 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way | Milwaukee, WI | $4,005,983 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cardinal Stritch University | Milwaukee, WI | $1,510,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Varsity Collective Charitable Fund | Madison, WI | $750,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| United Way of Greater Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $286,171 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Augustine Preparatory Academy | Milwaukee, WI | $250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Milwaukee World Festival Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Fiver Children's Foundation | New York, NY | $158,000 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Children's Wisconsin Foundation | Milwaukee, WI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Historic Haymarket Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Marcus School | Milwaukee, WI | $83,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lutheran Social Services | Milwaukee, WI | $80,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Hagerstown, MD | $35,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation | New York, NY | $34,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| All-in Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $32,282 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Pathways High School | Milwaukee, WI | $30,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Employ Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Milwaukee College Prep School | Milwaukee, WI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Milwaukee Film | Milwaukee, WI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ozaukee Family Services | Grafton, WI | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Teach for America | Milwaukee, WI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Wisconsin Humane Society | Saukville, WI | $24,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Seeds of Health Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $23,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Project Kindred | Milwaukee, WI | $21,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Sf Community Clinics | San Franscisco, CA | $21,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Christian Family Solutions | Germantown, WI | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Redgen | Shorewood, WI | $20,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Unicef USA | New York, NY | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Journey 21 | Oconomowoc, WI | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pat Connaughton Foundation | Milwaukee, WI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Sixteenth Street Community Health | Milwaukee, WI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Arlington, VA | $15,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Red Cross Northern Ca | San Francisco, CA | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Stars & Stripes Honor Flight | Menomonee Falls, WI | $13,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Red Cross | Milwaukee, WI | $13,000 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| American Red Cross | Boone, IA | $12,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Charles Kubly Foundation | Mequon, WI | $12,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Medical Students for Choice | Philadelphia, PA | $12,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| St Ann Center | Milwaukee, WI | $11,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Iva Relief Fund | Los Angeles, CA | $11,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative | West Allis, WI | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service | Milwaukee, WI | $11,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| San Francisco Parks Alliance | San Francisco, CA | $10,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Swim Mke | Milwaukee, WI | $10,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| College Possible | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Delta Gamma Foundation | Columbus, GA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grand Avenue Club | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mha of Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Omega Housing Corp | Columbus, GA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Unity in Motion Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wlcfs-Christian Family Solutions | Germantown, WI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Calpirg Charitable Trust | Sacramento, CA | $8,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Milwaukee Rescue Mission | Milwaukee, WI | $8,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Caps | Mequon, WI | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Haws | Waukesha, WI | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Kqed | San Francisco, CA | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Rogers Inhealth | Oconomowoc, WI | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Sf Community Clinic | San Francisco, CA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Surfrider Foundation | San Clemente, CA | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Community Project for Seniors | Milwaukee, WI | $6,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Running Rebels | Milwaukee, WI | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Next Door | Milwaukee, WI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Community Warehouse | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Fork Farms | Green Bay, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Humanity and Inclusion | Silver Spring, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Kinship Community Food Center | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Marquette University General Swim Fund | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mental Health America | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mha | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| National Forest Foundation | Missoula, MT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Radar Relief | Foster City, CA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| United Way of the Bay Area | Los Angeles, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wellpoint Care Network | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Serenity Inns | Milwaukee, WI | $4,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| North Suburban Special Olympics | Grafton, WI | $3,250 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Advocates of Ozaukee | Saukville, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Audio & Braille Library Enhancement | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco | San Franscisco, CA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| California Assn of Food Banks | Oakland, CA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Food Pantry Serving Waukesha County | Waukesha, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County | Saukville, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mel's Charities Inc | Cedarburg, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ozaukee County Jail Literacy Program | Port Washington, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Penfield Children Center | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Gathering | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Urban Ecology Center | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Milwaukee PBS | Milwaukee, WI | $2,750 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Reformed University Fellowship | Charlotte, NC | $2,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Women's Center | Waukesha, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Balance of Ozaukee | Grafton, WI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Herc | Milwaukee, WI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Kexp | Seattle, WA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Open Door Bible Church Elevator Fund | Port Washington, WI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Project Purple | Seymour, CT | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Raising the Bar | Milwaukee, WI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| UC Theatre Project | Oakland, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Upaf | Milwaukee, WI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Community Projects for Seniors | Milwaukee, WI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fox Point Lutheran Church | Fox Point, WI | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Marketplace | St Paul, MN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northcott Neighborhood House | Milwaukee, WI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rogers Foundation | Oconomowoc, WI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| San Francisco Bicycle Coalition | San Francisco, CA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Soulcare Mke | Milwaukee, WI | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Activity Department Lasata Care Center | Cedarburg, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| America's Frontline Doctors | Houston, TX | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Aurora Foundation | Milwaukee, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Smile Dental | Menomonee Falls, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| E Inspires LLC | Menomonee Falls, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Family Promise of Ozaukee | Port Washington, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Orange Hat Publishing | Waukesha, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Resurrection Presbyterian Church | Madison, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Teens Grown Greens | Milwaukee, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Kalw Public Media | San Franscisco, CA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Marketplace Co American Media | St Paul, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Foundation | Thiensville, WI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
58 of 117 (50%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 67%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- United Way Charities
VARIOUS UNITED WAY CHARITIES AS DIRECTED BY THE FOUNDATION - Varsity Collective Charitable Fund
TO SUPPORT STUDENT ATHLETES AT UW-MADISON - Milwaukee World Festival Inc
MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS - Journey 21
EDUC FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED - All-in Milwaukee
COLLEGE EDUCATION SUPPORT - The Nature Conservancy
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 102 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | $2,099,171 | $4,000 |
| 2022 | 78 | $6,980,232 | $3,000 |
| 2023 | 54 | $5,092,433 | $3,000 |
| 2024 | 61 | $4,345,983 | $3,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Kelben Foundation Inc has 37 of them, worth $22.9M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Medical College of Wisconsin | Milwauee, WI | $3,200,000 |
| Uw Foundation Madison | Madison, WI | $2,900,000 |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $2,400,000 |
| Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin | Milwauee, WI | $2,000,000 |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $1,600,000 |
| Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $1,500,000 |
| Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $1,000,000 |
| Macc Fund | Wauwatosa, WI | $800,000 |
| Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy | Milwauee, WI | $750,000 |
| Macc Fund | Wauwatosa, WI | $600,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Milwaukee | Milwauee, WI | $600,000 |
| Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy | Milwaukee, WI | $500,000 |
| Macc Fund | Wauwatosa, WI | $400,000 |
| Milwaukee Repertory Theater | Milwaukee, WI | $375,000 |
| Urban Ecology Center | Milwaukee, WI | $375,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 98% of this one's giving went to organizations in Wisconsin. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $3,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Wisconsin.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Kelben Foundation Inc's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 790 N Water Street 2175, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 39-1494625 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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