Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation supports Education, youth, arts and culture, environment, historical preservation, health, human services, libraries and other community needs in Wisconsin.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, youth, arts and culture, environment, historical preservation, health, human services, libraries
IP TAKE: This is a hyper-local foundation that is a good one to know for program support in a wide variety of nonprofit causes in Wisconsin.
PROFILE: Established in 1957, the Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation is a private family foundation based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The couple lived in Manitowoc, and a major portion of their estate was used to further the foundation’s efforts. John was the president and CEO of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. The foundation is managed by a five-member board of directors today. The foundation is committed to "organizations through the financial promotion of humanitarian, educational, cultural and civic or public purposes.” It funds local efforts for education, youth, arts and culture, environment, historical preservation, health, human services, libraries and other community needs.
The Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation only supports nonprofits that have been in operation for a minimum of two years. It has very broad philanthropic interests and supports nearly any type of nonprofit cause in a small geographic area. However, it does not make multi-year commitments or provide general operating support. The foundation also does not support K-12 school systems or political or religious causes. Additional support goes to the West of the Lake Gardens, which also accommodates tour groups.
Grants range between about $2,000 and $100,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining financials page of the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on the state of Wisconsin and especially the Lakeshore area and in Manitowoc. Past local grantees include Casa of East Central Wisconsin, Glacial Lakes Conservancy and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Download the application on the funder’s website and mail it to the foundation. The board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month to review new requests. Direct general questions to the staff at info@westfoundation.us or 920-684-6110.
PEOPLE:
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