FundersWisconsin

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc

Milwaukee, WI · EIN 39-6037928. Reported 1,550 grants totalling $205.4M to 480 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$75,000median grant
$205.4Mgranted, 2021-2024
480organizations funded
74%of grantees funded again the next year
$993.4Massets, latest filing

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. The Lynde and Harry Bradley 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.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $75,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $25,000 and $150,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $6,620,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
7 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
62 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
18 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
286 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
180 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
344 grants
$100,000 and Up
653 grants

Every organization it funded

All 480 recipients appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which this organization received money -- the clearest signal of who this foundation actually has a relationship with.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
The Caroline D Bradley Association of ScholarsPasadena, CA$25.4M542024
Bradley Impact Fund IncMilwaukee, WI$12.1M6342024
Milwaukee Symphony OrchestraMilwaukee, WI$5,251,000742024
Encounter for Culture and EducationNew York, NY$4,200,0002242024
Wisconsin Institute for Law and LibertyMilwaukee, WI$3,560,000942024
Foundation for Excellence in Higher EducationPrinceton, NJ$3,200,000442024
American Legislative Exchange CouncilArlington, VA$2,100,000442024
Center for Urban TeachingMilwaukee, WI$2,019,605642024
Foundation for Government AccountabilityNaples, FL$2,000,000442024
Historic Haymarket Milwaukee I IncMilwaukee, WI$2,000,000112024
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy StudiesWashington, DC$2,000,000542024
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research IncNew York, NY$1,750,000642024
National Center for Public Policy Research IncWashington, DC$1,750,000332023
Philanthropy RoundtableWashington, DC$1,700,000442024
Badger InstituteMilwaukee, WI$1,400,000442024
Kingdom Prep Lutheran High SchoolWauwatosa, WI$1,400,000642024
Mercatus Center IncArlington, VA$1,400,000642024
St Marcus Lutheran Church and SchoolMilwaukee, WI$1,376,200642024
Franklin News FoundationChicago, IL$1,350,000442024
Mackinac Center for Public PolicyMidland, MI$1,350,000322024
Sagamore InstituteIndianapolis, IN$1,300,000442024
George Mason University FoundationFairfax, VA$1,295,0002542024
The Buckeye InstituteColumbus, OH$1,295,000842024
Cato InstituteWashington, DC$1,250,000442024
Freedomworks FoundationWashington, DC$1,250,000322022
State Financial Officers Foundation IncShawnee, KS$1,250,000332024
Seton Catholic Schools IncMilwaukee, WI$1,207,360742024
Capital Research CenterWashington, DC$1,200,000542024
Competitive Enterprise InstituteWashington, DC$1,200,000332024
Leadership Program of the RockiesDenver, CO$1,200,000332024
Freedom FoundationOlympia, WA$1,160,000522022
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityStanford, CA$1,150,000512024
Hoover InstitutionStanford, CA$1,125,000812022
University of ChicagoChicago, IL$1,125,0002342024
Parent Choice IncWest Allis, WI$1,110,000542024
Milwaukee Repertory Theater IncMilwaukee, WI$1,100,000432023
Lincoln Network IncSan Francisco, CA$1,095,000332024
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin SystemMadison, WI$1,095,000622024
Institute for Educational AdvancementPasadena, CA$1,080,000442024
National Taxpayers Union FoundationWashington, DC$1,035,000542024
Public Interest Legal Foundation IncAlexandria, VA$1,035,000432024
Concordia University Wisconsin FoundationMequon, WI$1,001,600422024
Acts Community Development CorporationMilwaukee, WI$1,000,000322024
Concordia University WisconsinMequon, WI$1,000,000222022
Ethics and Public Policy Center IncWashington, DC$1,000,000442024
Georgia Center for Opportunity IncNorcross, GA$975,000442024
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy ResearchWashington, DC$950,000842024
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI$940,0001222022
The James Madison Institute for Public Policy StudiesTallahassee, FL$915,000542024
The Fund for American StudiesWashington, DC$901,000542024
Foundation for Cultural Review IncNew York, NY$900,000442024
Running Rebels Community OrganizationMilwaukee, WI$897,000542024
Arizona State University Foundation for a New American UniversityTempe, AZ$870,000732024
Evergreen Freedom FoundationOlympia, WA$870,000422024
American Institute for Economic Research IncGreat Barrington, MA$850,000442024
Real Clear FoundationWashington, DC$850,000442024
Becket Fund IncWashington, DC$815,000842024
National Review InstituteNew York, NY$808,500742024
America's FutureWashington, DC$800,000442024
The Reason FoundationLos Angeles, CA$800,000742024
Center for American GreatnessPhoenix, AZ$775,000442024
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs IncOklahoma City, OK$775,000442024
State Policy NetworkArlington, VA$775,000442024
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy AlternativesHarrisburg, PA$775,000442024
Lucy Burns InstituteMiddleton, WI$750,000442024
Tax FoundationWashington, DC$750,000442024
The Heritage FoundationWashington, DC$750,000422022
The Fairness CenterHarrisburg, PA$730,000742024
The Witherspoon InstitutePrinceton, NJ$730,0002142024
Independent Women's ForumWinchester, VA$725,000442024
Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation IncPlymouth, VT$700,000222024
Millennial Debt FoundationChattanooga, TN$700,000332024
Uwm Research Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI$700,000442024
Foundation for the ConstitutionWashington, DC$695,000212024
Institute for Reforming Government IncMadison, WI$670,000642024
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC$665,000742024
Beacon Center of TennesseeNashville, TN$660,000422024
Illinois Policy InstituteChicago, IL$650,000442024
Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service IncGermantown, WI$650,000442024
City on a Hill IncMilwaukee, WI$645,000432024
Messmer Catholic SchoolsMilwaukee, WI$625,430322022
Institute for Free SpeechWashington, DC$620,000642024
Teens Grow GreensMilwaukee, WI$620,000542024
Clemson University FoundationClemson, SC$600,000332024
Community Warehouse IncMilwaukee, WI$600,000432024
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education IncPhiladelphia, PA$600,000332024
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design IncMilwaukee, WI$600,000442024
Notre Dame School of MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI$600,000222024
Young America's FoundationReston, VA$600,000442024
Texas Public Policy FoundationAustin, TX$575,000442024
Fdrlst Media FoundationNorthbrook, IL$550,000442024
Foundation for Economic Education IncAtlanta, GA$550,000442024
Hope Street MinistriesMilwaukee, WI$550,000542024
Independence InstituteDenver, CO$550,000442024
Institute for Family StudiesCharlottesville, VA$550,000442024
Zoological Society of Milwaukee CountyMilwaukee, WI$550,000432024
National Bureau of Economic ResearchCambridge, MA$544,987542024
California Policy CenterTustin, CA$525,000542024
Serenity Inns IncMilwaukee, WI$525,000542024
Jack Miller Center for Teaching Americas Founding Principles and HistoryBala Cynwyd, PA$501,845322024
Lighthouse Youth Center IncMilwaukee, WI$500,000442024
Seton Education PartnersNew York, NY$500,000112023
STEM Academy IncBrookfield, WI$500,000222024
Vmts Education IncBrooklyn, NY$500,000222024
Institute for JusticeArlington, VA$490,000842024
The Milwaukee Ballet CompanyMilwaukee, WI$490,000542024
Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy ResearchPhoenix, AZ$475,000112024
John K Maciver Institute for Public PolicyMadison, WI$475,000332024
Milwaukee Academy of ScienceMilwaukee, WI$475,000312022
National Right to Work Legal Defense & Education Foundation IncSpringfield, VA$475,000442024
Cardinal Institute for West Virginia PolicyCharleston, WV$472,250432024
Government Accountability InstituteTallahassee, FL$460,000442024
Fair Lines America Foundation IncAlexandria, VA$450,000332024
Milwaukee Christian Center IncMilwaukee, WI$450,000442024
New Civil Liberties AllianceArlington, VA$450,000112024
National Association of ScholarsNew York, NY$441,000442024
Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy CenterSaukville, WI$435,000442024
Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative IncMilwaukee, WI$430,000442024
American Constitutional Rights UnionNaples, FL$425,000332024
Ashland UniversityAshland, OH$425,000542024
The Mackinac CenterMidland, MI$425,000212021
Milwaukee Public Museum IncMilwaukee, WI$415,000442024
New Civil Liberties AllianceWashington, DC$410,000312022
David Horowitz Freedom CenterValencia, CA$406,250442024
Milwaukee Public Library Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI$405,000442024
Alma CenterMilwaukee, WI$400,000332023
Center for American Culture and IdeasTucson, AZ$400,000542024
Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political PhilosophyUpland, CA$400,000442024
Emergent Order Foundation IncAustin, TX$400,000222024
Milwaukee Science Education Consortium IncMilwaukee, WI$400,000212023
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY$400,000332024
San Juan Diego Institute CorpPhoenix, AZ$400,000112023
Florentine Opera Company IncMilwaukee, WI$390,000442024
University of Notre Dame Du LacNotre Dame, IN$386,000622024
Neu-Life Community Development IncMilwaukee, WI$385,000322024
Beacon CenterNashville, TN$375,000222022
Goldwater InstitutePhoenix, AZ$375,000222022
Virginia Institute for Public PolicyLexington, VA$375,000332024
Center for Individual RightsWashington, DC$360,000542024
Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC$351,593742024
Conservative Partnership InstituteWashington, DC$350,000332023
Do No HarmGlen Allen, VA$350,000322024
Edchoice IncIndianapolis, IN$350,000332024
Mhs Inc -- Messmer Catholic SchoolsMilwaukee, WI$350,000222024
Pabst Mansion IncMilwaukee, WI$350,000422024
Rector & Visitors of the University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA$350,0001842024
The Steamboat InstituteSteamboat Springs, CO$345,000442024
Risen Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church and SchoolMilwaukee, WI$340,000542024
Americans for Fair Treatment IncHarrisburg, PA$325,000442024
Discovery InstituteSeattle, WA$325,000332024
Pacific Research Institute for Public PolicyPasadena, CA$325,000442024
Public Interest Legal FoundationIndianapolis, IN$325,000112021
Strong TownsBrainerd, MN$325,000442024
Pacific Legal FoundationSacramento, CA$320,000642024
1000 Generations IncElkhorn, WI$315,000222024
Greater Milwaukee Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI$310,000442024
American TransparencyHinsdale, IL$300,000332023
Institute for Humane StudiesBaltimore, MD$300,000222022
Montana Community Choice Schools CommissionHelena, MT$300,000112024
Moving Picture InstituteNew York, NY$300,000442024
Paragon Health InstituteArlington, VA$300,000222024
People United for Privacy FoundationGlendale, AZ$300,000332024
Prager University FoundationSherman Oaks, CA$300,000332023
The Bill of Rights InstituteArlington, VA$300,000442024
The Mindful GroupMilwaukee, WI$300,000332024
Urban Ecology CenterMilwaukee, WI$300,000112022
Walnut Way Conservation CorpMilwaukee, WI$300,000442024
Wisconsin Inmate Education Association IncBrookfield, WI$300,000442024
Wisconsin Veterans Network IncWest Allis, WI$300,000442024
Network of Enlightened WomenWashington, DC$290,000442024
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music IncMilwaukee, WI$290,000442024
Georgia Public Policy Foundation IncAtlanta, GA$288,610432024
Pelican Institute for Public PolicyNew Orleans, LA$285,000322024
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and LibertyGrand Rapids, MI$276,000332024
The Foundation for Research on Equal OpportunityAustin, TX$275,000442024
Mount Vernon Ladies AssociationMount Vernon, VA$270,000222024
Victims of Communism Memorial FoundationWashington, DC$262,500442024
Frontier Institute IncHelena, MT$260,000222024
Meta HouseMilwaukee, WI$260,000542024
Wisconsin Historical FoundationMadison, WI$260,000532024
Bridge Builders IncMilwaukee, WI$255,000442024
4TH Dimension Sobriety IncMilwaukee, WI$252,500332024
Archbridge InstituteWashington, DC$252,500332024
Bradley Prize Program 2022-Chen GuangchengPotomac, MD$250,000112022
Bradley Prize Program 2022-Glenn LouryProvidence, WI$250,000112022
Bradley Prize Program 2022-Wilfred McclayJonesville, MI$250,000112022
Center of the American ExperimentMinnetonka, MN$250,000332024
Collateral GlobalLondon, United Kingdom$250,000112024
Economic Policy Innovation Center IncArlington, VA$250,000112024
Foundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionPhiladelphia, PA$250,000112022
Intercollegiate Studies InstituteWilmington, DE$250,000222022
Kite and Key MediaBrooklyn, NY$250,000112022
Love Your SchoolScottsdale, AZ$250,000222023
Stanford University Board of TrusteesStanford, CA$250,000212023
Liberty Justice CenterChicago, IL$245,000642024
Empire Center for Public PolicyAlbany, NY$240,000322023
The Philadelphia SocietyGrand Rapids, MI$240,000442024
Trustees of Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ$240,000222024
Racine Vocational Ministry IncRacine, WI$235,000442024
Kansas Policy InstituteWichita, KS$232,500632024
Empower Mississippi FoundationRidgeland, MS$230,000322023
Beyond VisionMilwaukee, WI$225,000112022
Middle Resolution Policy Foundation IncMechanicsville, VA$225,000222024
New York UniversityNew York, NY$225,0001242024
Skylight Music TheatreMilwaukee, WI$225,000332024
The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural RenewalMecosta, MI$225,000442024
Greater Galilee Community Development CorporationMilwaukee, WI$220,000432024
Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ$220,000222022
Transcenter for Youth IncMilwaukee, WI$215,000442024
The Yankee InstituteHartford, CT$210,000312021
The John Locke FoundationRaleigh, NC$202,500332024
American Conservation Coalition IncWashington, DC$200,000222024
American Juris LinkPhoenix, AZ$200,000222022
American Principles ProjectArlington, VA$200,000222022
Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KS$200,000332024
CO2 Coalition IncArlington, VA$200,000442024
Claremont Mckenna CollegeClaremont, CA$200,0001042024
Daily Caller News FoundationWashington, DC$200,000442024
Divine Savior MinistriesDoral, FL$200,000112022
Hmong American Peace Academy Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI$200,000222024
Judicial Education ProjectWashington, DC$200,000112023
Kings CollegeNew York, NY$200,000222023
Lutheran High School Association of Greater MilwaukeeWest Allis, WI$200,000112021
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA$200,0001032024
Paideia Institute for Humanistic StudyNew York, NY$200,000222024
Purdue Research FoundationWest Lafayette, IN$200,000112024
Read Wisconsin IncNeenah, WI$200,000222024
Religious Freedom Institute IncWashington, DC$200,000222024
Safe Families for Children WisconsinElkhorn, WI$200,000222022
St Thomas More High SchoolMilwaukee, WI$200,000442024
Stanford UniversityStanford, CA$200,0001412021
Steele Family FoundationScottsdale, AZ$200,000112024
Student Free Press AssociationHillsdale, MI$200,000442024
Troy UniversityTroy, AL$200,000222024
Asset Builders of America IncMadison, WI$195,000442024
Acts HousingMilwaukee, WI$190,000222022
Benjamin Rush InstituteDfw Airport, TX$190,000332023
Milwaukee Community Business CollaborativeMilwaukee, WI$190,000222024
University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN$185,000422022
Afar IncWauwatosa, WI$180,000212024
Neu-Life Community Resource CenterMilwaukee, WI$180,000212021
Frontier CenterPark Ridge, IL$175,000212021
Litigators for Liberty NetworkPhoenix, AZ$175,000222024
The Policy CircleWilmette, IL$175,000222022
University of Arizona FoundationTucson, AZ$175,000832023
University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY$175,000222024
Center for the Study of Technology and SocietyWashington, DC$170,000442024
Forge Leadership NetworkDayton, OH$170,000442024
Lighthouse Church IncMadison, WI$170,000222024
Wisconsin Lutheran High SchoolMilwaukee, WI$170,000332024

323 of 480 (67%) 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 74%, 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.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 1,135 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Education
389 grants
Arts & Culture
127 grants
Public & Societal Benefit
113 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
112 grants
Social Science
58 grants
Human Services
50 grants
Religion
48 grants
Crime & Legal
48 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2021434$45.0M$50,000
2022409$49.8M$50,000
2023346$54.1M$90,000
2024361$56.5M$100,000

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. The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc has 140 of them, worth $59.7M. 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.

OrganizationLocationApproved
The Caroline D Bradley Association of ScholarsPasadena, CA$6,620,000
The Caroline D Bradley Association of ScholarsPasadena, CA$6,510,000
The Caroline D Bradley Association of ScholarsPasadena, CA$6,340,000
The Caroline D Bradley Association of ScholarsPasadena, CA$6,220,000
Bradley Impact FundMilwaukee, WI$3,360,000
Bradley Impact Fund IncMilwaukee, WI$3,200,000
Bradley Impact Fund IncMilwaukee, WI$2,900,000
Bradley Impact Fund IncMilwaukee, WI$2,644,000
Historic Haymarket MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI$2,000,000
Center for Urban TeachingMilwaukee, WI$1,539,605
Encounter for Culture and EducationNew York, NY$1,000,000
Encounter for Culture and EducationNew York, NY$1,000,000
Encounter for Culture and EducationNew York, NY$1,000,000
Encounter for Culture and EducationNew York, NY$1,000,000
Collateral GlobalNew York, NY$700,000

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 33% 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.

Wisconsin
$67.6M
California
$34.5M
District of Columbia
$24.6M
Virginia
$14.0M
New York
$11.6M
Illinois
$4.8M
Arizona
$4.6M
New Jersey
$4.4M

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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.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund263 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc228 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program186 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust165 shared recipientsNatl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc149 shared recipientsDonors Trust Inc145 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $75,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Wisconsin.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding arts & culture in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in District of ColumbiaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding arts & culture in District of ColumbiaEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Lynde and Harry Bradley 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: 1400 North Water Street Suite 300, 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 39-6037928 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.