Mead Witter Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Mead Witter Foundation supports higher education, youth, social services and arts and culture in Wisconsin.

IP TAKE: This is an accessible family funder that prioritizes higher education but also awards grants each year to organizations that provide direct services in Wisconsin. However, it does not have a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines.

PROFILE: Established in 1951, the Mead Witter Foundation is a private foundation based in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This is the foundation of George W. Mead and his family members who are shareholders in Consolidated Papers. While it does not have a website, tax filings suggest that it funds local efforts for education, youth, social services and arts and culture.

The Mead Witter Foundation giving is centered primarily on higher education and some local community causes. Most higher education grants stay within the state of Wisconsin, where the Mead Witter company operates. The foundation gave $25 million to the University of Wisconsin’s School of Music for its new performance space in 2015, and the school was renamed The Mead Wittter School of Music. This funder also prioritizes organizations that provide direct services in the areas of heath, housing and employment opportunities. Grants typically go towards unrestricted operating support, capital support and scholarships for students.

Most Mead Witter grants remain under $25,000, and almost all grants stay in the state of Wisconsin. Grantmaking focuses on the state of Wisconsin. Past local grantees include Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Olbrich Botanic Society and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records.

This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits at any time of the year. These LOIs should be one page long and describe the organization, mission and project. The funder invites selected organizations to submit full proposals for funding. Direct general questions to the staff at 715-424-3004.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Mead Witter Foundation

P.O. Box 39

Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-0039

(715) 424-3004