Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation

Also listed in some databases as "Gainey Foundation"

Quick Stats

• EIN: 20-5632706
• Annual Giving: $1,936,000 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: National (with documented activity in Wisconsin and California)
• Foundation Type: Private Foundation
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Number of Awards: 28 (2023), 26 (2022), 20 (2021)
• Assets: Approximately $33 million (2016 data)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 634, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0634

Trustee: c/o US Bank NA, 101 E 5th St, 14th Floor, St. Paul, MN 55101-1860

Phone: 855-452-4015

Note: No public website identified

Overview

The Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2006 in Minnesota and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The foundation is professionally managed by US Bank National Association as trustee. Named in honor of Elaine and her late husband Edward Stepanek, the foundation reflects the couple's longstanding commitment to philanthropy, particularly in healthcare and community support.

The foundation distributed $1,936,000 in grants across 28 awards in 2023, continuing a pattern of steady grantmaking that dates back to at least 2009. With assets of approximately $33 million (as of 2016), the foundation supports publicly supported charitable organizations and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The foundation has demonstrated geographic flexibility, supporting initiatives in both the Midwest and California, including a notable $500,000 restaurant relief program in Santa Barbara County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foundation operates as a traditional private foundation with US Bank serving as institutional trustee, suggesting a professionally managed grantmaking operation. The Stepaneks' personal philanthropy extends beyond the foundation, including a $500,000 gift to the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara in 2009, which led to the naming of the center's planned giving society in their honor.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation's stated mission is to support publicly supported charitable organizations and 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation may also provide scholarships, with schools and geographical areas to be determined by the trustees.

Documented Grant Activities:

• Community Support Grants: The foundation made 28 awards in 2023 totaling $1,936,000
• COVID-19 Relief: Restaurant Fund (2021) - Partnered with Santa Barbara Foundation to provide up to $10,000 grants to 71 small, independently-owned restaurants in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley ($500,000 total)
• Scholarship Programs: The foundation's mission statement indicates potential scholarship funding, though specific programs are not publicly documented

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the foundation appears to support:

• Healthcare and Medical Facilities: Evidenced by the Stepaneks' major gift to Cancer Center of Santa Barbara
• Small Business Support: Restaurant relief during COVID-19 pandemic
• Community Organizations: General support to 501(c)(3) organizations
• Education: Mission statement includes provision for scholarships

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation managed by a corporate trustee, it likely follows standard exclusions such as:

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Individuals (except potentially through scholarship programs)
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• For-profit entities (exception: COVID-19 restaurant program)

Governance and Leadership

Trustee

US Bank National Association serves as institutional trustee for the foundation, managing the foundation's operations from their St. Paul, Minnesota office.

Foundation Origins

The foundation honors Elaine and Edward Stepanek, longtime philanthropists with connections to both Wisconsin and California. Edward Stepanek passed away before 2009. Elaine Stepanek was a resident of Montecito, California, and together they were recognized as generous supporters of healthcare and community initiatives, particularly the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara.

The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara named their Planned Giving Donor Club "The Elaine and Edward Stepanek Society" in recognition of the couple's years of generous support and a $500,000 donation in 2009.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private foundation with an institutional trustee (US Bank), the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

The foundation appears to make grants through:

• Trustee-initiated grantmaking
• Pre-existing relationships and identified charitable purposes
• Specific programmatic initiatives (such as the Restaurant Fund partnership)
• Discretionary decisions by US Bank as trustee

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Not Applicable - This foundation operates without a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustee (US Bank National Association) based on the foundation's mission to support publicly supported charitable organizations and 501(c)(3) entities.

For Organizations Seeking Support

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. The foundation identifies and supports charitable causes through its trustee's discretionary grantmaking process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is a private foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications - organizations cannot directly apply for funding
• Institutional Trustee: US Bank manages the foundation's grantmaking, suggesting professional, structured decision-making
• Flexible Geography: While based in Milwaukee, the foundation has supported initiatives in both Wisconsin and California
• Responsive Grantmaking: The $500,000 Restaurant Fund demonstrates capacity for timely, focused initiatives addressing urgent community needs
• Healthcare Connection: The Stepaneks' significant support for cancer care suggests potential interest in healthcare-related causes
• Substantial Resources: With approximately $33 million in assets and nearly $2 million in annual grantmaking, this is a significant regional foundation
• Broad Mission: The foundation's mission allows for diverse grantmaking across charitable causes and potential scholarship support
• Not a Target for Grant Applications: Grant writers should not invest time developing proposals for this foundation as it does not have an open application process

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Gainey Foundation (EIN 20-5632706): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205632706 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Elaine F Stepanek Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/elaine-f-stepanek-foundation,205632706/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation Agency: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=STEP334 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Santa Barbara Foundation - Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation Restaurant Fund Grant Program: https://sbfoundation.org/covid-19-business-community-resources/restaurant-grant-program/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Noozhawk - "Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation Restaurant Fund Awards $500,000 to 71 Restaurants," April 2021 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• The Santa Barbara Independent - "City 11-5," November 12, 2009: https://www.independent.com/2009/11/12/city-11-5/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Santa Barbara.com - "Restaurant fund awards $500,000 to 71 local eateries," April 20, 2021 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Instrumentl - Elaine F Stepanek Foundation 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/elaine-f-stepanek-foundation (Accessed February 25, 2026)