Kohler Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Kohler Foundation backs arts and education, with special interest in STEAM initiatives, wider access to the arts, and projects with a clear plan to achieve more impact than a small grant might initially suggest; it prefers new projects and programmes, so a fit here matters more than a general operating appeal.
- Keep requests modest: most grants are small, with half of its grants to organisations at $5,500 or less, and its stated grant range runs up to $5,000.
- Apply using the published application questions ahead of the fixed deadline of September 15.
- Half of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in the two prior filings, suggesting a relationship-led, repeat-giving pattern, and its priority is Sheboygan County, with consideration also given to rural Wisconsin and grants made primarily in Wisconsin.
- Do not apply if your request is solely for general operating support such as salaries or overhead; individuals may not apply except for scholarships to graduating seniors from twelve named Sheboygan County high schools; and under its grant programme it does not fund capital campaigns or building projects, fundraising drives, or event sponsorships.
Overview
Kohler Foundation is a US private foundation based in Kohler, WI.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Kohler Foundation's grants support arts and education, with special interest in STEAM initiatives, increasing access to the arts and programmes with a specific plan to create an impact greater than a small grant might initially reflect. It gives to tax-exempt public charities and public institutions, including schools and governmental entities. Its geographic funding preference is Sheboygan County, and it considers applicable programmes throughout rural Wisconsin, with grants made primarily in Wisconsin. It prefers new projects and programmes.
Themes
- Art preservation
- Arts
- Education
Geographic Focus
Priority: Sheboygan County; rural Wisconsin; Wisconsin.
What They Don't Fund
- Grant requests that are solely for general operating support (e.g. salaries, overhead)
- Individuals except for scholarships to graduating seniors from twelve Sheboygan County high schools
- Kohler Foundation’s grant program only: capital campaigns or building projects; fundraising drives; event sponsorships
How to apply
Applicants prepare an application using the published application questions and submit it.
Deadlines: September 15.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 50% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 417 grants to organisations were $5,500 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It prefers new projects and programmes.
- Its grant committee gives special interest to arts and education programmes, including STEAM initiatives.
- It favours programmes that increase access to the arts.
- It favours programmes with a specific plan for an impact greater than a small grant might initially reflect.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 67% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 50% of grant dollars went to organisations Kohler Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 67% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 117 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $6,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center · Dr. charles smith - hammond collection$280,9682024 tax year
- Lakeshore Technical College · Scholarships$250,0002024 tax year
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center · Thomas kong$249,4792024 tax year
- Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University · Stella waitzkin 2021$163,0162024 tax year
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center · Juanita leonard collection$158,7732024 tax year
- Volland Foundation · Meeker & anderson collection$120,6002024 tax year
- Village of Mount Morris · Mount morris fountain$110,3002024 tax year
- Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy · Stella waitzkin 2021$78,6512024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Laura Kohler — Secretary & Director
- Matt Kautzer — Treasurer
- Carla Ross — President & Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $6,239,576 | $11,569,763 | $426,928,086 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,528,730 | $67,354,720 | $371,490,118 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $9,501,209 | $3,768,388 | $413,670,410 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Kohler Foundation?
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Applying to Kohler Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required