Windhover Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Windhover Foundation supports social services, women and children, health, libraries, arts and culture, parks and playgrounds and basic needs in Wisconsin.

IP TAKE: This is a low-key, private foundation with corporate ties in Wisconsin and one that pays particularly close attention to human services needs in the Milwaukee area. It does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PROFILE: Established in 1983, the Windhover Foundation is a private foundation based in Sussex, Wisconsin. This is the foundation of Harry and Betty Quadracci. Harry V. Quadracci founded Quad/Graphics, the Western Hemisphere’s largest privately held printer of catalogs, magazines and other commercial products. The foundation gets its name and inspiration from a 19th century Gerard Manley Hopkins poem that describes how a Windhover hawk can hover despite strong winds and continue to soar. The foundation funds local efforts for social services, women and children, health, libraries, arts and culture, parks and playgrounds and basic needs.

The Windhover Foundation has a sparse website that offers limited information about its grantmaking procedures. However, past tax records show that Windhover supports a wide variety of local causes, including women’s centers, hospices, food pantries and art centers. Overall, the funder is committed to supporting projects that address unfilled social needs in its geographic area of interest. Grants typically go towards programs, annual campaigns, capital needs, equipment, building funds and scholarships.

Grants range between about $2,000 and $100,000.  Grantmaking focuses on communities in Wisconsin and other places where the family company does business. Specific areas of interest in Wisconsin include greater Milwaukee, Hartford, Lomira, Sussex, Pewaukee and West Allis. Past local grantees include the Academy of Basic Education, American Players Theatre of Wisconsin and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Direct general questions to the staff at 800-839-1754.

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