The Brookby Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,112,645 (FY 2023)
• Total Assets: $49.6 million (FY 2023)
• Number of Grants: 144 awards (2023)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $400,000
• Geographic Focus: Wisconsin and Michigan (national scope)
• Review Cycles: Three times per year (Spring, Summer, Winter)

Contact Details

Website: https://brookbyfoundation.org
Phone: (262) 478-0629
Email: info@brookbyfoundation.org
Address: 1313 N Franklin Pl Apt 2002, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Overview

The Brookby Foundation was founded by Wendy and Paul Greeney and their family, building on a family legacy of supporting arts and education in the Grand Rapids area. Paul Greeney served as a teacher and chair of the science department at the University School of Milwaukee, retiring in 2011. The foundation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, seeks to promote community well-being by supporting endeavors that advance artistic and scientific literacy, with a special interest in those that protect or improve the environment. With assets of approximately $49.6 million and annual giving of $3.1 million in 2023, the foundation focuses primarily on Wisconsin and Michigan, particularly on Great Lakes protection and conservation efforts. In 2022, the foundation made a significant $1 million commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a new research vessel to advance Great Lakes research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Brookby Foundation operates two main funding streams:

• General Grantmaking: $10,000 - $400,000 (rolling applications through Letter of Inquiry system, reviewed three times annually)
• Edith Blodgett Legacy Fund: Restricted to former Blodgett Foundation grantees, reviewed during spring cycle only

Application deadlines: Spring (before February 15), Summer (before May 15), Winter (before October 15)

Priority Areas

Environment and Conservation:

• Great Lakes protection and water quality research
• Land conservation and trusts
• Environmental advocacy and policy
• Climate and conservation education
• Sustainable agriculture

Arts and Culture:

• Symphony orchestras and performing arts
• Arts education and accessibility

Scientific Literacy:

• Environmental science research
• Science education programs
• Freshwater science initiatives

Civic Engagement:

• Democracy and civic education
• Civil liberties organizations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Based on giving patterns, the foundation focuses on environmental conservation, arts, and science education rather than social services, healthcare, or direct service programs.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Wendy Greeney, President/Secretary
• Paul Greeney, Vice President/Treasurer
• Daniel Greeney, Trustee
• Jonathan Greeney, Trustee

The foundation is governed by the Greeney family. Wendy and Paul Greeney, who split their time between Milwaukee and Traverse City, Michigan, have expressed their commitment to environmental stewardship. In announcing their $1 million gift for the UWM research vessel, they stated: "We believe in making a difference where we can. That is why we have chosen to make a gift that will advance research and help protect Lake Michigan and all of the Great Lakes. We have a deep appreciation for science, and it's the responsibility of us all to make the world a better place."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant requests must be initiated with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) submitted through the foundation's online grant portal at brookbyfoundation.org. The LOI is reviewed to determine alignment with the foundation's grantmaking strategies. If approved, applicants will be invited to submit a full application with supporting documents. Applicants will be notified if additional information is required prior to the review meeting.

Important Application Restrictions:

• New applicants can only apply during Summer and Winter review cycles
• Spring review is restricted to Edith Blodgett Legacy Fund requests (former Blodgett Foundation grantees only)
• Applicants may request funding once per calendar year

Application Deadlines:

• Spring: Before February 15 (Blodgett Legacy Fund only)
• Summer: Before May 15
• Winter: Before October 15

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The foundation reviews applications three times per year following the deadline dates.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation awarded 144 grants in 2023, 153 in 2022, 144 in 2021, and 146 in 2020, showing consistent grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants are limited to one funding request per calendar year.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission: The foundation's giving patterns show strong support for organizations that advance scientific literacy, particularly related to water and environmental issues, and arts organizations including symphony orchestras. Projects that demonstrate clear connections to environmental protection, Great Lakes conservation, or advancing artistic and scientific literacy are well-positioned.

Recent Funded Projects (2023):

• Environmental: $190,000 to Urban Ecology Center; $160,000 to Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship; $90,000 to Environmental Law and Policy Center; $70,000 to Wisconsin Conservation Voices; $60,000 to Milwaukee Riverkeeper; $60,000 to Gathering Waters: Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts; $50,000 to Alliance for the Great Lakes; $40,000 to Trout Unlimited; $35,000 to Clean Wisconsin; $33,333 to Mequon Nature Preserve
• Arts: $400,000 to Oregon Symphony; $164,512 to Grand Rapids Symphony
• Education: $205,000 to UWM Foundation; $1 million commitment for UWM research vessel
• Civic Engagement: $25,000 to ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation

Geographic Preference: While the foundation has national scope, giving is heavily concentrated in Wisconsin and Michigan. Organizations working in these states, particularly on Great Lakes-related issues, appear to be priorities.

Environmental Focus: The foundation's special interest in projects that "protect or improve the environment" is evident in their grantmaking. Water quality, land conservation, climate advocacy, and sustainable agriculture projects receive significant support.

Scientific Rigor: Given Paul Greeney's background as a science educator and the foundation's commitment to "scientific literacy," projects with strong research components or educational outcomes are valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Lead with environmental impact: If your project has environmental benefits, particularly related to Great Lakes protection or land conservation, emphasize this prominently in your LOI
• Wisconsin and Michigan focus: Organizations based in or serving these states have the strongest alignment with the foundation's geographic priorities
• Demonstrate scientific literacy: Projects that advance understanding of environmental science, water quality, or conservation science align with the foundation's core mission
• Arts and environment intersection: The foundation supports both environmental conservation and arts organizations, suggesting potential interest in projects at this intersection
• Multi-year relationship building: Large grants (e.g., $400,000 to Oregon Symphony, $190,000 to Urban Ecology Center) suggest the foundation may support organizations with multi-year commitments
• Apply in the right cycle: New applicants must apply during Summer or Winter cycles only - do not submit during Spring unless you are a former Blodgett Foundation grantee
• One shot per year: With only one application allowed per calendar year, ensure your LOI is well-prepared and strategically timed to either the summer or winter deadline

References

• Brookby Foundation official website: https://brookbyfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - The Brookby Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/383202330-the-brookby-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - The Brookby Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/brookby-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• InfluenceWatch - Brookby Foundation: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/brookby-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)
• UWM Foundation press release: "Brookby Foundation gives $1 million for UWM research vessel": https://uwm.foundation/brookby-foundation-gives-1-million-for-research-vessel/ (accessed January 2026)
• BizTimes Milwaukee: "Milwaukee-based Brookby Foundation gifts $1 million for new UWM research vessel": https://biztimes.com/milwaukee-based-brookby-foundation-gifts-1-million-for-new-uwm-research-vessel/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Brookby Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/383202330 (accessed January 2026)