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Kelben Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $5.0M

Kelben Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,648,339 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $62.7 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $5,000,000+
  • Number of Awards: 405 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Milwaukee, Wisconsin area with some national giving
  • EIN: 39-1494625

Contact Details

Address: Milwaukee, WI

Note: The Kelben Foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. This is a private family foundation that primarily operates through trustee discretion.

Overview

The Kelben Foundation Inc. was established in 1984 by Mary T. Kellner and Ted D. Kellner, naming the foundation after Mary's father, Ben Tucker. Over its 40+ year history, the foundation has become one of Milwaukee's significant philanthropic institutions, with total assets of $62.7 million as of 2024 and annual charitable disbursements exceeding $5 million. The foundation operates as a private family foundation focused primarily on higher education, health and human services in the Milwaukee area. Most notably, the foundation has awarded 8,000 scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 to Milwaukee Public School graduates over its history. In 2023, the Kellners were honored with the William C. Frye Award by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in recognition of their four decades of commitment to improving Milwaukee's nonprofit and civic sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Milwaukee Public Schools Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $500 - $2,000 per scholarship
  • Total Impact: 8,000 scholarships awarded to date
  • Eligibility: Graduating seniors from Milwaukee Public School System who:
    • Rank in the top 50% of their class
    • Intend to pursue a four-year college degree
    • Demonstrate financial need
  • Review Process: Applications reviewed by Mary Kellner and a committee of seven former teachers

2. Institutional Grants

  • Amount: Varies significantly, from small grants to multi-million dollar commitments
  • Recent Major Grants:
    • $5 million to UW-Milwaukee (2016) for School of Education endowed chair, Lubar Center for Entrepreneurship, and scholarships in early childhood education and investment management
    • $5 million to UW-Milwaukee (2007) for endowed professorship in early childhood education and related scholarships
    • Additional gifts to UW-Madison, Cardinal Stritch University, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Next Door

3. Application Method: No public application process; grants primarily made through trustee discretion and established relationships

Priority Areas

Education

  • Higher education institutions, particularly in Wisconsin
  • Early childhood education programs
  • Teacher education and professional development
  • Educational scholarships and student support
  • Literacy programs

Health and Human Services

  • Children's health initiatives
  • Mental health services
  • Medical education and research
  • Community health programs

Organizations Previously Supported (through board involvement and grants):

  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Cardinal Stritch University
  • Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
  • Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Next Door
  • The Nehemiah Project
  • Schools That Can Milwaukee
  • City Forward Collective
  • Pathways High
  • I Have A Dream Foundation

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's focus is clearly concentrated on education and health in the Milwaukee area. Organizations outside these focus areas or outside Wisconsin are less likely to receive funding, though some national giving occurs.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Mary T. Kellner - President

  • BS in Elementary Education, UW-Madison (1968)
  • Passionate about education, particularly literacy
  • Founded Next Door's Books for Kids program (distributed over 2 million books)
  • UWM Foundation Board of Directors (2000-2009), co-chaired UWM Scholarship Campaign
  • Personally reviews all scholarship applications with committee
  • Quote: "It always just feels good to do something for somebody if you can."

Ted D. Kellner - Board Member

  • BS in Business, UW-Madison (1969)
  • Founder and Executive Chairman of Fiduciary Management Inc.
  • Led multiple capital campaigns for Children's Hospital and Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Quote: "You can pick your spots where you've got passion, and you think you can make a difference."

Additional Family Board Members:

  • Laura Kellner Lueck
  • Kristin Kellner Schultz
  • Jack T Kellner

Philanthropic Philosophy

The Kellners emphasize long-term commitment and purpose-driven giving. As Mary stated in their 2023 Frye Award recognition: "I see too many people that retire and they don't have any purpose. I'm a huge believer in purpose and we both feel that we have purpose." Their approach focuses on areas where they have personal passion and believe they can make measurable impact, with particular emphasis on improving educational outcomes and health services in Milwaukee.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Kelben Foundation does not have a public application process for organizational grants. The foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants primarily through trustee discretion and to organizations with which the board members have established relationships.

For Milwaukee Public Schools Scholarship Program:

  • Applications are processed through Milwaukee Public Schools
  • Contact your school's guidance counselor or college/career center
  • Application materials reviewed annually by Mary Kellner and committee of seven former teachers
  • Specific deadlines and application procedures available through MPS

For Organizational Grants: The foundation makes grants to organizations where board members have direct involvement or established relationships. Large institutional grants have typically gone to organizations where the Kellners serve or have served on boards.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available as the foundation does not operate on a standard grant cycle. Major institutional gifts appear to be negotiated directly with leadership of the recipient organizations.

Success Rates

With 405 grants awarded in 2023 and no public application process, success rates are not applicable in the traditional sense. Organizations that receive grants typically have existing relationships with foundation trustees.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only/relationship-based grant-making approach.

Application Success Factors

Since the Kelben Foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than a competitive application process, the following factors are relevant for organizations seeking to understand their funding:

1. Alignment with Core Mission Areas The foundation has demonstrated consistent commitment to:

  • Higher education, particularly teacher preparation and early childhood education
  • Educational access through scholarships for underserved students
  • Health services, particularly children's health and mental health
  • Milwaukee-area community development

2. Board Member Involvement Major grants have consistently gone to organizations where Mary and Ted Kellner have personal involvement:

  • Organizations where they serve on boards
  • Institutions where they have alumni connections (both UW-Madison graduates)
  • Programs they personally championed (e.g., Next Door's Books for Kids program founded by Mary)

3. Focus on Educational Equity The scholarship program specifically targets students who demonstrate financial need and rank in the top 50% (not just top students), showing commitment to expanding access rather than only supporting the highest achievers.

4. Long-term Relationships The foundation's approach emphasizes ongoing partnerships rather than one-time grants. Major recipients like UW-Milwaukee have received multiple significant gifts over many years.

5. Measurable Impact on Milwaukee As Ted Kellner stated: "You can pick your spots where you've got passion, and you think you can make a difference." The foundation prioritizes initiatives where they can see direct community impact in Milwaukee.

6. Personal Connection to Cause Mary Kellner's passion for literacy led to the Books for Kids program. The Kellners' educational backgrounds at UW-Madison influenced significant gifts to Wisconsin higher education institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - they operate through trustee discretion and established relationships
  • Focus is firmly on Milwaukee-area education and health - organizations outside these parameters are unlikely to receive funding
  • Board involvement is key - major institutional grants correlate with Kellner family board service
  • Scholarships for MPS students follow established process - contact Milwaukee Public Schools directly for scholarship applications
  • Long-term commitment matters - the foundation prefers ongoing partnerships to one-time grants
  • Family foundation structure - all board members are Kellner family members, keeping decision-making closely held
  • Significant capacity - with $62.7M in assets and $5.6M in annual giving, this is a substantial funder when they engage with an organization

References

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