← Back to US Funders Directory

Kohler Foundation Inc.

Annual Giving
$66.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Kohler Foundation Inc.

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $66,580,870
  • Total Assets: $371 million
  • Grant Range: Up to $10,000
  • Typical Grant: $5,000 (median)
  • Annual Grants Awarded: 145 grants
  • Geographic Focus: Sheboygan County, Wisconsin (primary); rural Wisconsin communities (secondary)
  • Application Period: July 15 - September 15 (annual cycle)

Contact Details

Website: www.kohlerfoundation.org

Grant Program Contact:

Address: Kohler, WI

Overview

Founded in 1940 by Evangeline Kohler, Marie Christine Kohler, Lillie B. Kohler, Herbert V. Kohler Sr., and O. A. Kroos, the Kohler Foundation has long supported arts and education in Wisconsin. With $371 million in assets and annual giving of approximately $66.6 million, the foundation operates five major program areas: Art Preservation, Performing Arts (the Distinguished Guest Series), Grants, Scholarships, and Historic Site Management (the Waelderhaus). The grants program awards approximately 145 grants annually to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations, primarily in Sheboygan County, with most grants at $5,000 or less. The foundation has a particular commitment to rural Wisconsin communities with limited philanthropic capital and a strong interest in STEAM initiatives and expanding arts access.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Grants Program: Up to $10,000
    • Applications accepted annually July 15 - September 15 via online portal
    • Awards distributed twice yearly
    • Preference given to new projects and programs
    • Median grant: $5,000

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on arts and education programs with special interest in:

  • STEAM Initiatives: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics programming
  • Increasing Arts Access: Transportation support, visiting artists/distance learning, rural outreach, technology enhancements
  • High-Impact Programs: Projects with specific plans to create impact disproportionate to the grant amount
  • Rural Wisconsin Communities: Particularly those with little other philanthropic capital available or previous KFI investment through Art Preservation programs
  • Sheboygan County: Primary geographic focus area
  • Occasional Technology and Equipment Requests: When aligned with arts and education priorities

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not fund:

  • General operating support (salaries, overhead)
  • Capital campaigns or building projects
  • Fundraising drives
  • Event sponsorships

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • Natalie Black Kohler: President, Kohler Foundation
  • Angela Ramey: Executive Director
  • David Kohler: Board Member (also CEO and Board Chair of Kohler Co.)

Key Staff:

  • Carissa Klein: Staff Accountant
  • Beth Wiza: Preservation Project Manager
  • Dan Smith: Collections and Logistics Coordinator
  • Jen Balge: Program Coordinator and Waelderhaus Manager
  • Stephanie Price: Office Manager

Historical Leadership: Ruth DeYoung Kohler II served as former executive director and past president. Linda Karger Kohler served as executive director from 1972-1982.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Kohler Foundation Grant Portal, which opens annually from July 15 to September 15. Grants are awarded twice each year following the application cycle.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be tax-exempt public charities under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), OR
  • Public institutions such as schools or governmental entities
  • K-12 schools must submit a letter from their principal linking the request to the institution's strategic objectives

Application Support: Contact Angela Ramey at angela.ramey@kohler.com or 920-458-1972 with questions. The foundation recommends reviewing funding guidelines before completing the application.

Decision Timeline

Grants are awarded twice yearly following the September 15 application deadline. Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

The foundation receives many more requests than it can support. With approximately 145 grants awarded annually from a competitive applicant pool, applicants should expect a selective process. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Contact Angela Ramey for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Thoughtful Program Planning: "Successful requests often feature...forethought about program planning" - the foundation values applications showing careful consideration of implementation details

  2. Realistic Impact Goals: Applications should present "realistic goals for program impact" - avoid overpromising or setting unattainable objectives

  3. Compelling Necessity: Demonstrate "a compelling case for the necessity of the program" - clearly articulate why this program is needed and why your organization is positioned to deliver it

  4. Disproportionate Impact: The foundation specifically looks for "programs which have a specific plan to create an impact of greater proportion than a small grant might initially reflect" - show how a modest investment can create significant change

  5. New Initiatives: Preference is given to "new projects and programs" rather than ongoing operations

  6. STEAM Integration: Programs incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics are of special interest

  7. Access and Reach: Projects that expand arts access through transportation, visiting artists, distance learning, rural outreach, or technology are particularly valued

  8. Rural Focus: Organizations in rural Wisconsin communities, especially those with limited philanthropic options, are prioritized

  9. Clear Project Focus: Avoid requests for general operating support - applications must be for specific programs or initiatives

  10. Connection to Strategic Objectives: K-12 schools must demonstrate how requests align with institutional strategic goals (via principal letter)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is Critical: Applications are only accepted during the two-month window from July 15 to September 15 annually - mark your calendar well in advance
  • Show Disproportionate Impact: The foundation is particularly interested in small grants that create outsized change - make the case for how $5,000-$10,000 can be transformational
  • New Projects Favored: If proposing to expand an existing program, frame it as a new initiative or component rather than continuation funding
  • STEAM is a Sweet Spot: Projects integrating arts with science, technology, engineering, or mathematics align with current priorities
  • Rural Communities Have an Advantage: If you serve rural Wisconsin, especially areas with limited philanthropic resources, emphasize this
  • Skip the Operating Costs: Don't request salary or overhead support - focus on programmatic needs like materials, visiting artists, technology, or transportation
  • Connect with Angela Ramey: Don't hesitate to reach out before applying if you have questions about fit or approach - the foundation offers pre-application support
  • Think Beyond Sheboygan: While Sheboygan County is the primary focus, rural Wisconsin communities throughout the state are considered, especially those with prior connections to the foundation's Art Preservation work

References

← Back to US Funders Directory