Kohler Foundation Inc.

Quick Stats

• Annual Cash Grants: $1,001,603 (2023)
• Total Assets: $371 million
• Grant Range: Up to $10,000
• Typical Grant: $5,000
• 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 Programme Contact:

• Angela Ramey, Executive Director
• Email: angela.ramey@kohler.com
• Phone: 920-458-1972

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, the foundation operates five major programme areas: Art Preservation, Performing Arts (the Distinguished Guest Series), Grants, Scholarships, and Historic Site Management (the Waelderhaus). The foundation's grant programme provides cash grants to Wisconsin nonprofit organisations, primarily in Sheboygan County, with most grants at $5,000 or less. Beyond cash grants, the foundation makes substantial donations of art and other assets. 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 Programmes

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

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on arts and education programmes 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 Programmes: 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 programmes
• 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:

• Angela Ramey: Executive Director (since March 2025, previously Interim Executive Director from August 2024)
• David Kohler: Board Member (also CEO and Board Chair of Kohler Co.)

Historical Leadership:

• Natalie Black Kohler served as President of Kohler Foundation from 1998 to 2022 (passed away September 2024)
• Ruth DeYoung Kohler II served as board member from 1969 to 2019 and president from 1999 to 2006 (passed away November 2020)
• 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. 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 Programme Planning: "Successful requests often feature...forethought about programme planning" - the foundation values applications showing careful consideration of implementation details

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

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

4. Disproportionate Impact: The foundation specifically looks for "programmes 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 programmes" rather than ongoing operations

6. STEAM Integration: Programmes 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: Organisations in rural Wisconsin communities, especially those with limited philanthropic options, are prioritised

9. Clear Project Focus: Avoid requests for general operating support - applications must be for specific programmes 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 Favoured: If proposing to expand an existing programme, 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, emphasise 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

• Kohler Foundation Inc. Official Website - Grants Page: https://www.kohlerfoundation.org/grants/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Kohler Foundation Inc. Official Website - About Us: https://www.kohlerfoundation.org/about-us/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Kohler Foundation Inc. Official Website - Contact: https://www.kohlerfoundation.org/contact-us/ (Accessed December 2025)
• GrantExec - Kohler Foundation Profile: https://grantexec.com/foundations/390810536 (Accessed December 2025)
• Wikipedia - Kohler Foundation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohler_Foundation (Accessed December 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Kohler Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/390810536 (Accessed December 2025)