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Charles E. Benidt Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$7.8M
Grant Range
$55K - $0.3M

Charles E. Benidt Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,757,000
  • Number of Grants: 28 annually
  • Grant Range: Varies (median $55,000; average $277,900)
  • Total Assets: $65.9 million
  • Geographic Focus: Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties), Phoenix, Arizona, and international
  • Application Deadlines: May 1st and September 1st
  • Accepts Unsolicited Applications: No

Contact Details

Address: Elm Grove, WI
EIN: 36-4522803
Website: charlesebenidtfoundation.org (currently not accessible)

Overview

The Charles E. Benidt Foundation Inc was established in 2003 by Charles E. ("Chuck") Benidt, a Milwaukee-area entrepreneur who rose from humble beginnings to build a thriving supermarket chain and real estate company. Born in 1928 and passing in 2006, Benidt grew up poor as the oldest of six children and started refurbishing bicycles at age 13 during World War II when materials were scarce. The foundation is committed to continuing the support of charities that espouse the Christian values and concepts that Charles E. Benidt followed during his lifetime. With assets of approximately $65.9 million, the foundation awards $7.7 million annually through 28 grants. The foundation operates as a Wisconsin private foundation, classified as a Private Independent Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation gives primarily for:

  • Education for Disadvantaged People: Supporting educational opportunities for underserved populations
  • Lutheran Missionaries via LCMS: Supporting Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod missionary work internationally
  • Lutheran Pastor Training: Supporting theological education and pastoral formation
  • Shelters for Abused Women and Children: Providing safe housing and services for domestic violence survivors
  • Medical Research: Particularly through the Mayo Clinic for heart disease and cancer research
  • Social Services: After-school programs and other community support services in Milwaukee
  • Christian Organizations: Organizations that align with Christian values and mission

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports causes across multiple states, including:

  • Primary: Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Waukesha County areas)
  • Secondary: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Other States: Colorado, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, and New York
  • International: Support for Lutheran missionaries serving globally

Grant Amounts

  • Median Grant: $55,000
  • Average Grant: $277,900
  • Total Annual Distribution: $7,757,000 across 28 grants

The significant difference between median and average suggests the foundation makes both smaller grants (around $55,000) and some substantially larger grants that pull the average upward.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must:

  • Be IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Meet the criteria listed in the foundation's mission statement
  • Align with the Christian values and concepts that Charles E. Benidt followed during his lifetime

Governance and Leadership

President/Secretary: Amanda M. Hiatt

Board Members/Directors:

  • Nancy M. Bonniwell
  • Mark W. Miller
  • James L. Mohr
  • Shobha Warren
  • Jerry Wick

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Charles E. Benidt Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. This means the foundation does not accept applications from organizations that reach out to them directly without a prior relationship or invitation.

Application Deadlines

For organizations that are invited to apply or have an established relationship with the foundation:

  • May 1st - Spring deadline
  • September 1st - Fall deadline

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation does not have a public application process and does not respond to unsolicited requests. Organizations interested in their funding would need to be proactively identified by the foundation or have an existing relationship through:

  • LCMS Network Connections: Given the foundation's strong support of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod initiatives, organizations connected to the LCMS network may have relationship pathways
  • Concordia Seminary Connection: The foundation has a significant relationship with Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, having established the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Professor of Homiletics and Literature in 1997 in memory of Charles Benidt's son
  • Milwaukee/Waukesha Community: Organizations operating in the Southeastern Wisconsin area where the foundation has historical roots
  • Phoenix, Arizona: Organizations in the Phoenix area appear to receive consistent support

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that receive invitations should note:

  • Christian Values Alignment: The foundation explicitly seeks to support organizations that "espouse the Christian values and concepts that Charles E. Benidt followed during his lifetime"
  • LCMS Affiliation: Strong preference for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affiliated programs, particularly missionary work and pastoral training
  • Founder's Legacy Focus Areas: Programs serving abused women and children, educational opportunities for disadvantaged people, and medical research (especially heart disease and cancer through Mayo Clinic)
  • Geographic Connection: Organizations in Milwaukee, Waukesha County, or Phoenix, Arizona, or those serving international Lutheran mission fields
  • Long-term Relationships: As a foundation that doesn't accept unsolicited applications, they likely work with organizations they've supported historically or those brought to their attention through trusted networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional grant-seeking strategies will not work
  • Invitation-Only Model: Focus on building relationships through LCMS networks, Milwaukee/Phoenix community connections, or Concordia Seminary affiliations
  • Christian Mission Essential: The foundation's commitment to Christian values is central to its mission; secular organizations are unlikely to receive support
  • Significant Grant Capacity: With an average grant of nearly $278,000 and median of $55,000, the foundation makes substantial investments in selected organizations
  • Bi-Annual Decision Cycles: For invited applicants, the foundation operates on May 1st and September 1st deadlines
  • Founder's Personal Values Drive Giving: Understanding Charles Benidt's life story (rising from poverty, Lutheran faith, entrepreneurship, family tragedy with the loss of his son Gregg) provides insight into funding priorities
  • LCMS Pipeline: Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod organizations, particularly those focused on missionary work and pastoral training, are core beneficiaries

References

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