Dudley and Constance Godfrey Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $909,500 (2023)
• Total Assets: $16.4 million
• Grant Range: Average $9,095
• Number of Grants: 100 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
444 Madison Ave Ste 301
New York, NY 10022

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information beyond the mailing address.

Overview

The Dudley and Constance Godfrey Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established to honor the philanthropic legacy of Dudley J. Godfrey Jr. and his wife Constance. Dudley Godfrey Jr. (University of Michigan Law School Class of 1952) was a partner and co-founder of the Milwaukee law firm Godfrey & Kahn, which he established in 1957. An aficionado of American decorative arts, Godfrey and his wife assembled one of the finest decorative arts collections in the country and were major patrons of the Milwaukee Art Museum, which named its Constance and Dudley Godfrey American Art Wing in their honor. The foundation continues their legacy through strategic grantmaking to preselected organizations, focusing primarily on educational initiatives and distributing approximately $900,000 annually across 100 awards nationwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation that makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations:

• Average Grant Size: $9,095 (based on 2023 data)
• Annual Distribution: $909,500 across 100 awards
• Decision Process: Rolling basis, trustee discretion
• Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

Primary Focus: Education

• College and university scholarships
• Educational programs and institutions
• Support for law schools and legal education (including University of Michigan Law School's John Reed Scholarship Fund)
• Educational initiatives across diverse communities

Secondary Areas:

• Medical care and health services
• Social service organizations
• Arts and cultural institutions (particularly American decorative arts)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations that have not been preselected by the trustees are not considered for funding.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Dudley J. Godfrey III - President
• Adam P. Godfrey - Vice President
• J. Gardner Govan - Secretary
• Sue E. Christensen - Treasurer

The foundation appears to be family-directed, continuing the philanthropic vision of founders Dudley J. Godfrey Jr. and Constance Godfrey. Dudley J. Godfrey Jr. passed away in 2007, and his wife Constance continued making yearly gifts until her death in 2014.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grantmaking decisions are made on a rolling basis by the board as they identify organizations for support.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications or reapplications from organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations should note:

• The foundation demonstrates a consistent pattern of supporting educational institutions, particularly those with connections to the founders
• Organizations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin area receive notable support due to the founders' community ties
• The foundation supports a broad portfolio with numerous smaller grants rather than concentrating funds
• Institutions with historical connections to the Godfrey family or Godfrey & Kahn law firm may be more likely to receive consideration

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant application methods
• Preselected recipients only: Grants are made exclusively to organizations chosen by the trustees
• Educational focus: Primary emphasis on educational programs, scholarships, and institutions
• Modest grant sizes: Average grant of approximately $9,000 suggests accessibility for smaller projects at selected organizations
• National scope with Milwaukee roots: While funding nationally, the foundation maintains strong ties to Milwaukee-area institutions
• Multiple grants annually: With 100 grants in 2023, the foundation supports a diverse portfolio of organizations

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Dudley and Constance Godfrey Foundation Inc (EIN: 39-1562846). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/391562846
• Cause IQ: Dudley and Constance Godfrey Foundation. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/dudley-and-constance-godfrey-foundation,391562846/
• Grantmakers.io: Dudley and Constance Godfrey Foundation Inc Profile. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/391562846-dudley-and-constance-godfrey-foundation-inc/
• University of Michigan Law Quadrangle (Spring 2015): "Constance and Dudley J. Godfrey Jr., '52". Available at: https://quadrangle.law.umich.edu/spring2015/giving/constance-and-dudley-j-godfrey-jr-52/
• Milwaukee Art Museum Press Release (April 2014). Available at: https://mam.org/info/pressroom/2014/04/milwaukee-art-museum-hires-new-curator-of-american-and-decorative-arts/
• Chipstone Foundation: "Dedication - In memory of Dudley J. Godfrey, Jr." (American Furniture 2010). Available at: https://chipstone.org/article.php/605/American-Furniture-2010/Dedication---In-memory-of-Dudley-J.-Godfrey,-Jr.
• All sources accessed March 4, 2026.