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Judd S Alexander Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,350,750 (2024)
  • Cumulative Giving: Over $55 million since 1973
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Marathon County, Wisconsin only
  • Number of Awards: 35 grants (2024)
  • Application Cycle: Rolling basis, monthly board reviews

Contact Details

Address: 500 First Street, Suite 10, P.O. Box 2137, Wausau, WI 54402-2137

Phone: (715) 845-4556

Website: https://juddsalexanderfoundation.org

Primary Contact: Gary W. Freels, President (office@alexanderprop.org)

For preliminary eligibility questions before submitting a full proposal, applicants may email Gary Freels.

Overview

Founded in 1973, the Judd S. Alexander Foundation has distributed over $55 million in grants to support quality of life and economic development in the Wausau area. The Foundation is managed by a board of community leaders who award grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 to worthy projects that directly benefit Marathon County, Wisconsin residents. The Foundation operates as a private foundation and takes a proactive approach to community development, both responding to grant requests from local project leaders and initiating funding for important community projects. Their strategic focus emphasizes fostering strong public-private partnerships to engage the whole community in programs and projects for current and future generations in Marathon County.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation awards grants through a single grant program with rolling deadlines. Grants range from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with an average of 35 awards made annually totaling approximately $2.35 million. Applications are reviewed monthly by the board of directors.

Primary Focus: Selective special projects and community-wide capital campaigns

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports worthy projects in the following areas:

  • Economic Development: Downtown redevelopment, property acquisition, business development initiatives, and projects that create jobs or strengthen the local economy
  • Arts and Culture: Museums, arts centers, cultural facilities, and arts programming
  • Education: K-12 programs, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship education, financial literacy, and technical college initiatives
  • Children and Human Services: Youth programs, services for special needs populations, and community support organizations
  • Enrichment Programs: Camps and programs for youth and adults with special needs
  • Recreation: Athletic facilities, community centers, and recreational infrastructure
  • Historic Preservation: Projects that preserve historically significant buildings and sites in Marathon County

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation explicitly excludes funding for:

  • General operating support
  • Annual fundraising campaigns
  • Operating deficits
  • Endowments
  • Service club charities
  • Medical research
  • Religious propagation activities
  • Political candidate support
  • Memorials
  • Media production costs
  • International programs
  • Repeated capital campaign requests
  • Conferences
  • Group travel
  • Guest honoraria

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is led by a six-member Board of Directors consisting of community leaders:

  • Gary W. Freels - President and CEO (also serves as President and CEO of Alexander Properties, Inc. since 1995)
  • John D. Dudley - Vice President
  • Lon E. Roberts - Secretary/Treasurer
  • Dennis M. DeLoye - Director
  • Kathy J. Strasser - Director
  • John T. Tubbs - Director

Gary Freels has articulated the Foundation's philosophy: "On behalf of the Judd S. Alexander Foundation and our board of directors, we are delighted to help support this amazing modernization and expansion project at the Woodson YMCA. We believe this undertaking will contribute greatly to the future economic development of Wausau and the health and wellness of our residents. Judd and Anne Alexander would be proud to know the community they cherished is continuing to thrive."

Regarding the Foundation's approach to innovation and economic development, Freels has stated: "I have seen firsthand how BrightStar leverages its venture philanthropy model to launch businesses and create tech jobs throughout the state. As the President of the Judd S. Alexander Foundation and an active participant in business development in Central Wisconsin, I can say that we are a proud donor and supporter of BrightStar Wisconsin and its mission."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, with no specific deadlines except for special initiatives. Applications must be submitted by mail only—fax and email submissions are not accepted.

Submission Requirements:

  1. One original and one copy of the complete proposal packet
  2. Proposals should be concise (preferably under 3 pages for the main narrative)
  3. Materials should be unbound and not placed in protective covers or presentation formats
  4. Supplementary materials such as videos are discouraged

Required Components:

Cover Page:

  • Organization name and location
  • Contact person name, title, phone, and email

Project Overview:

  • Description of the organization
  • Detailed project description
  • Specific outcomes and goals (must be quantifiable and attainable within a specific timeframe)
  • Methods for measuring success
  • Implementation timeline

Project Budget:

  • Revenue page showing all funding sources
  • Expense page with detailed costs
  • Budget narrative explaining major line items

Required Attachments:

  • Current annual operating budget for the organization
  • List of governing body members
  • Letters of support from partner organizations or beneficiaries
  • Most recent audited financial statements
  • IRS determination letter proving 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and confirmation that the organization is not a private foundation under section 509(a)

Mail proposals to: Gary W. Freels The Judd S. Alexander Foundation, Inc. 500 1st Street, Suite 10 P.O. Box 2137 Wausau, WI 54402-2137

Decision Timeline

  • Proposals reviewed on a monthly basis by the board of directors
  • Typically one month between submission and board review (assuming proposal is complete and appropriate)
  • Written notification of decision provided within two weeks of Directors' meeting
  • Total timeline: Approximately 6-8 weeks from submission to notification

Success Rates

The Foundation made 35 awards in 2024. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation reviews proposals for appropriateness and completeness before scheduling for board review, suggesting a pre-screening process occurs.

Reapplication Policy

Important restriction: The Directors prefer not to consider proposals from any institution or organization more frequently than once every 12 months. Organizations are encouraged to develop diverse funding sources rather than relying repeatedly on the Foundation.

The Foundation also explicitly states they will not fund repeated capital campaign requests from the same organization.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and past grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Clear Community Benefit for Marathon County: The Foundation exclusively funds projects that directly benefit Marathon County residents. Projects must articulate specific, measurable impacts on the local community.

  2. Quantifiable Outcomes: The Foundation explicitly asks applicants to "clearly identify the terms of success and outcomes for their projects, which should be attainable and quantifiable within a specific time frame." Successful applications include concrete metrics and measurement methods.

  3. Capital Projects and Special Initiatives: The Foundation prioritizes "selective special projects" and "community-wide capital campaigns" rather than general operating support. Past awards demonstrate a strong preference for tangible infrastructure projects with lasting impact.

  4. Economic Development Angle: Many successful grants have economic development components. Projects that create jobs, strengthen the local economy, attract investment, or catalyze broader community development align well with the Foundation's mission.

  5. Public-Private Partnerships: The Foundation states it "fosters and promotes strong public-private partnerships." Applications that demonstrate collaboration with multiple stakeholders, leverage matching funds, or engage diverse community partners are more competitive.

  6. Conciseness and Clarity: The Foundation explicitly requests proposals "preferably under 3 pages" and discourages supplementary materials. Successful applicants communicate complex projects clearly and concisely.

  7. Alignment with Past Funding Patterns: Review of past grants shows strong support for:

    • Major community facilities (Woodson YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Arts Block)
    • Downtown redevelopment and property acquisition (Marathon Box site, Dudley Tower)
    • Workforce development and education (Junior Achievement, Northcentral Technical College Foundation)
    • Organizations serving vulnerable populations (Operation Fresh Start, Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association)

  8. Long-term Community Impact: The Foundation emphasizes projects that benefit "current and future generations in Marathon County." Applications should articulate how the project creates lasting value beyond the immediate grant period.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations serving Marathon County, Wisconsin residents are eligible—no exceptions
  • Project-specific funding only: Do not apply for general operating support, annual campaigns, or endowments—these are explicitly excluded
  • Timing flexibility: Rolling deadlines allow organizations to apply when ready, but plan for 6-8 week decision timeline
  • One shot per year: Organizations can only apply once every 12 months, so make your application count
  • Keep it concise: The Foundation values brevity—under 3 pages is preferred for the main narrative
  • Emphasize measurability: Quantifiable outcomes with specific metrics and timelines are essential
  • Show economic development impact: Projects that strengthen Wausau's economy and create jobs align with the Foundation's core mission
  • Leverage partnerships: Demonstrate collaboration with other organizations and funding sources to strengthen your application
  • Pre-application inquiry welcome: Contact Gary Freels before submitting a full proposal if you have questions about eligibility or fit

References

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