Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation supports arts and culture, education and civic improvements in the Greater Milwaukee region of Wisconsin.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible family foundation that is all about making Milwaukee a better place to live, especially for local children. It accepts unsolicited preliminary online applications and considers outreach through email or by phone.
PROFILE: Established in 1997, the Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation is a private family foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Richard Herzfeld was the president of the Boston Store, which was sold to Federated Department Stores. Ethel Herzfeld was born in Chicago, attended college in Milwaukee and was active in the Milwaukee community with her husband. The foundation supports local efforts for arts and culture, education and civic improvements.
Herzfeld’s arts and culture grants support the long-term organizational health of nonprofit organizations and collaborations between organizations. It is also interested in programs that have the potential to become regional models. Education grants focus on early childhood education and arts education. There is also a foundation transportation program that helps local students visit cultural institutions for field trips. Civic improvement grants are available on an invitation-only basis to enhance the quality of life in the Milwaukee area. The funder does not support religious, political, labor or business organizations, nor does it provide grants to individuals, for loans or for fundraising.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $100,000. Grantmaking focuses on the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin but occasionally extends to other parts of Wisconsin. Past local grantees include the Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Penfield Children’s Center. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records and the what we support page of the funder’s website.
This foundation accepts unsolicited online preliminary applications from nonprofits. After a review process that takes about two weeks, the foundation invites selected applicants to submit full proposals. Preliminary request deadlines are the first day of the months of January, April and July. Direct general questions to the staff at lseib@herzfeldfoundation.org or 414-727-1136.
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