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Johnson Family Foundation Tr

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,461,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,300,000
  • Total Assets: $63.7 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Wisconsin, Virginia, New York, and other states including Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas

Contact Details

No public website or direct contact information is available. The foundation is based in Racine, WI.

Overview

The Johnson Family Foundation Tr is a private grantmaking foundation established in February 1995 and based in Racine, Wisconsin. With total assets of approximately $63.7 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $1,461,500 in grants across 26 awards in 2023. The foundation is led by trustees from the prominent SC Johnson family, including S. Curtis Johnson, Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, and H. Fisk Johnson, with Winifred J. Marquart serving as President. The foundation operates as a private non-operating foundation, focusing its grantmaking on education, human services, and philanthropy/voluntarism. The foundation's giving reflects the Johnson family's long-standing commitment to philanthropy in Racine and beyond, continuing a tradition established by the SC Johnson company founder in the 1880s of giving back to the community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

  • Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $2,300,000
  • Average of 26-35 grants awarded annually
  • Grants distributed throughout the year

Priority Areas

Based on available tax filing information, the foundation's primary focus areas include:

  • Education: Supporting educational institutions and programs
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Supporting other philanthropic organizations and initiatives
  • Human Services: Supporting organizations providing social services

Geographic Focus

The foundation makes grants in multiple states with concentration in:

  • Wisconsin (primary focus)
  • Virginia
  • New York
  • Additional states including Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • S. Curtis Johnson: Trustee
  • Helen P. Johnson-Leipold: Trustee and Chair of Johnson Financial Group and Johnson Outdoors Inc.
  • H. Fisk Johnson: Trustee and Chairman/CEO of SC Johnson
  • Winifred J. Marquart: President

All trustees serve without compensation. The trustees are members of the prominent SC Johnson family, whose company has maintained a commitment to donating 5% of pre-tax profits to charitable causes since 1937.

Helen Johnson-Leipold has stated about family philanthropy: "Give back more than you take," reflecting the family's core values around charitable giving and community support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees. The foundation does not maintain a public website or published application guidelines.

Organizations seeking funding from this foundation would need to have established relationships with the Johnson family or trustees, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications through a formal process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 26 awards in 2023, 27 awards in 2022, 35 awards in 2021, and 19 awards in 2020, indicating selective grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not have a public application process, the following factors are relevant:

  • Family Connection: The foundation is operated by the SC Johnson family and appears to support organizations aligned with family interests and values
  • Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for Wisconsin-based organizations, particularly those serving Racine and surrounding communities
  • Mission Alignment: Organizations working in education, human services, and philanthropic capacity-building appear to receive priority
  • Established Track Record: As a private foundation making discretionary grants, they likely support organizations with proven impact and strong reputations
  • SC Johnson Company Values: The family has emphasized environmental sustainability, community development, and education through their corporate and personal philanthropy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Grants are made at the discretion of trustees, all of whom are members of the SC Johnson family
  • The foundation has substantial assets ($63.7 million) and makes meaningful grants (up to $2.3 million)
  • Primary geographic focus is Wisconsin, with additional grantmaking in Virginia, New York, and other states
  • Focus areas include education, human services, and supporting other philanthropic organizations
  • Organizations seeking funding would need to cultivate relationships with the Johnson family or trustees
  • The foundation reflects the SC Johnson family's long tradition of community philanthropy dating back to the 1880s

References

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