Antioch Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $821,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (October to January)
• Grant Range: Up to $40,000 (typical grants significantly smaller)
• Geographic Focus: Wisconsin and Minnesota primarily, but national/international grants accepted

Contact Details

• Website: www.antiochfoundation.org
• Phone: (608) 782-1148
• Email: info@theantiochfoundation.org
• Address: 230 Front Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601

Overview

The Antioch Foundation is a private foundation established in 2000 and based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. With net assets of approximately $13.1 million and annual grant distributions of $821,000 (2023), the foundation supports organizations across four primary areas: Faith, Education, Medicine, and Humanitarian Need. The foundation has a strong faith-based focus, with religious giving exclusively directed to Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) organizations and church bodies in fellowship with it. In 2023, the foundation made 47 grants with an average size of approximately $17,468, demonstrating a preference for distributing funds across multiple organizations rather than concentrating on a few large grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named programs but funds four priority areas:

• Faith Initiatives: Up to $40,000 (exclusively WELS and affiliated organizations)
• Education: Up to $40,000 (focus on Lutheran schools and educational programs)
• Medicine: Up to $40,000 (medical facilities, research, and training)
• Humanitarian Need: Up to $40,000 (various charitable causes)

All applications follow the same two-stage process with fixed annual deadlines.

Priority Areas

• Start-up costs for new programs
• Pilot programs and innovative initiatives
• Building and capital projects
• Programs demonstrating potential for significant impact
• Initiatives with matching fund opportunities

What They Don't Fund

• Operating budgets (explicitly stated as lower priority)
• Organizations that have received $40,000+ over 3 years (must take 1-year sabbatical)
• Faith-based grants outside WELS and affiliated church bodies
• Applications submitted outside designated application windows

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates as a private foundation filing Form 990-PF. While specific trustee names are not publicly available through the website, the foundation maintains a professional grants management structure with established processes and evaluation criteria. The foundation emphasizes careful stewardship and strategic giving, as evidenced by their structured application process and clear funding priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-stage electronic application process:

1. Letter of Inquiry: Submit between April 15 - July 15
2. Full Application: By invitation only, submit between September 15 - October 15

Applications must be submitted electronically through the foundation's online portal (no email applications accepted).

Decision Timeline

• Letter of Inquiry window: April 15 - July 15
• Review and invitation to full application: July - September
• Full application window: September 15 - October 15
• Final decisions announced: By January 1
• Total timeline: 6-8 months from initial inquiry to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 47 grants, down from 61 in 2022 and 65 in 2021, suggesting increased selectivity or larger average grant sizes.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations that have not received funding in the past 5 years must submit a Letter of Inquiry
• Organizations that have received $40,000 or more in grants over a 3-year period must take a mandatory 1-year sabbatical before reapplying
• Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years following standard procedures

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated evaluation criteria and funding patterns:

• Demonstrate Clear Impact: The foundation uses a scoring rubric that prioritizes projects affecting large numbers of people
• Show Innovation: Creative approaches and new initiatives score higher than routine program support
• Present Strong Budget Planning: Include evidence of diversified funding sources and well-planned budgets
• Leverage Matching Opportunities: The foundation appreciates projects with matching fund opportunities
• Focus on Start-up or Capital Needs: Avoid requesting operating support; emphasize pilot programs, start-up costs, or building projects
• Submit Within Windows: Applications are ONLY accepted during designated periods - missing these windows means waiting a full year
• Faith-Based Applicants: Religious organizations must be WELS or in fellowship with WELS to be eligible

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strict Application Windows: Mark calendars for April 15 (Letter of Inquiry opens) and September 15 (Full Application opens) - no exceptions
• Two-Stage Process Mandatory: All new applicants and those not funded in 5+ years must start with Letter of Inquiry
• $40,000 Cap: While this is the maximum, average grants are around $17,500 - adjust requests accordingly
• Faith Restrictions: Religious funding is exclusively for WELS and affiliated organizations
• Sabbatical Requirement: Track cumulative funding over 3 years to avoid mandatory pause
• Prioritize Innovation: Operating budget requests rank lowest - focus on new initiatives, pilots, or capital projects
• Geographic Flexibility: Despite Wisconsin base, national and international projects are funded

References

• Antioch Foundation Official Website (www.antiochfoundation.org) - Accessed March 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings for EIN 36-3779525 (2019-2023)
• Cause IQ Database - Antioch Foundation Profile
• Foundation Directory (Candid) - Antioch Foundation Entry
• GuideStar Profile - EIN 36-3779525
• Instrumentl Grant Database - Antioch Foundation Funding History