Richard J Resch Foundation Ltd - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $5,711,000
Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $2,500 - $2,000,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily Wisconsin (Green Bay area), with select out-of-state grants

Contact Details

Address: Green Bay, WI
EIN: 39-1653788

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or contact information for general inquiries. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Richard J Resch Foundation Ltd was established in 1989 and received tax-exempt status in September 1990. The foundation is a Wisconsin private foundation with total assets of approximately $56.5 million as of 2024. Founded by Richard J. Resch, who served as CEO of KI (international office furniture manufacturer) from 1983 to 2019, the foundation has provided more than $33 million in contributions to programs that support arts and culture, community and neighborhood development, education, human services and health, and care for the environment. The foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion, selecting organizations based on the founders' personal connections to the Green Bay community and causes they have championed throughout their philanthropic careers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. All funding decisions are made by trustees based on preselected organizations.

Typical Grant Sizes:

Large grants: $500,000 - $2,000,000 (major capital campaigns and institutional naming gifts)
Medium grants: $100,000 - $500,000 (significant program support)
Smaller grants: $2,500 - $100,000 (community organizations and specific projects)
Median grant: $213,000

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant awards, the foundation supports:

Education:

Higher education institutions, particularly in Wisconsin
Engineering and science programs
Music and performing arts education
Capital improvements for educational facilities

Arts and Culture:

Performing arts organizations and facilities
Music programs and institutes
Cultural development projects

Community Development:

Public infrastructure projects in Green Bay area
Neighborhood development initiatives
Public markets and community gathering spaces
Parks and recreational facilities

Health:

Healthcare education institutions
Medical facilities and programs

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation operates through invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications, there are no published exclusions. However, grant history indicates a strong preference for:

Organizations in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area
Capital campaigns and building projects
Established institutions with which the trustees have connections
Projects with significant community impact

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers and Trustees

Richard J Resch - President and Treasurer
Sharon J Resch - Vice President
Gerald C Condon Jr - Secretary
Dan Mahlik - Director
Robert Charles - Director

None of the officers receive compensation for their service to the foundation.

About the Founder

Richard J. Resch graduated from MIT in 1961 and Harvard Business School in 1963. He served as CEO of KI since 1983, building the company from a manufacturer of folding chairs and tables into a global furniture manufacturer with almost $700 million in annual sales and 3,000 employees. In 2019, Resch sold his family's 71% stake in the company to KI's employees and stepped down as CEO to become executive chairman. Known for his extensive support of the arts and local youth organizations, Resch has made significant contributions to the quality of life in the Green Bay area. He was inducted into the Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) Academy of Achievement Hall of Fame in 2007.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation's IRS filings explicitly state: "The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected. There is no application portal, no published deadlines, and no formal review process for external applicants.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation awards approximately 8-14 grants per year to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications from organizations they have not preselected.

Recent Grant Recipients

Based on 2024 IRS Form 990-PF filings, recent grants include:

Major Grants ($500,000+):

University of Wisconsin Green Bay Institute of Music - $2,000,000
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - $2,000,000 (Crew Boathouse Renovation)
Birder Studio of Performing Arts - $800,000
Bellin College - $500,000 (Achieving New Heights Campaign)
Brown County Resch Expo Center - $500,000

Mid-Level Grants:

Graceland University - $300,000 (Morden Center Renovation)
Graceland University - $250,000 (Science & Technology Hall)

Community Grants:

Village of Allouez - $60,000 (Optimist Park Gazebo)
Envision Greater Green Bay - $25,000 (Community Development)

Notable 2024 Project: The Richard J Resch Foundation was announced as the lead donor for the Green Bay Public Market project, securing naming rights for Resch Square. The project has a total fundraising goal of $12.5 million.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success in securing funding is dependent on:

Pre-existing Relationships: Organizations must already have established relationships with the trustees, particularly Richard and Sharon Resch, or be introduced through trusted intermediaries.

Geographic Connection: The vast majority of grants (approximately 80%) go to Wisconsin-based organizations, with a particular emphasis on the Green Bay area.

Personal Connection to the Founders: Many grants support causes that align with Richard Resch's personal interests and career, including:

MIT (his alma mater) receives significant support
Engineering education (reflecting his business background)
Arts and culture (areas of known personal interest)
Community development in Green Bay (where he built his business career)

Capital Projects: The foundation shows a strong preference for capital campaigns, building projects, and naming opportunities rather than general operating support.

Established Institutions: Grant recipients tend to be well-established organizations with proven track records, particularly universities, colleges, and major community institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications - organizations cannot apply for funding through any public process
Focus is heavily local - Green Bay and Wisconsin organizations receive the majority of funding
Relationship-based giving - all grants flow from personal connections and trustee discretion
Large capital projects preferred - median grant of $213,000 indicates preference for significant institutional support
Education is a priority - particularly higher education, engineering, and music programs
Multi-year commitments - some institutions receive multiple grants over time, indicating sustained relationships
No published priorities - funding decisions are made privately by trustees without formal guidelines
Strong personal connection required - the foundation supports causes championed by Richard Resch throughout his business and philanthropic career

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Richard J Resch Foundation Ltd (EIN: 39-1653788). IRS Form 990-PF filings. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/391653788 (Accessed January 2026)
Grantmakers.io Profile - Richard J Resch Foundation Ltd. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/391653788-richard-j-resch-foundation-ltd/ (Accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ - Richard J Resch Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/richard-j-resch-foundation,391653788/ (Accessed January 2026)
GrantExec - Richard J Resch Foundation Ltd. https://grantexec.com/foundations/391653788 (Accessed January 2026)
Fox 11 Online. "Green Bay Public Market fundraising hits 60%; March 2025 opening expected." March 20, 2024. https://fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay-public-market-on-broadway-richard-j-resch-foundation-square-naming-rights-fundraising-update-boldt-company (Accessed January 2026)
KI Pressroom. "Dick Resch Donates $5M to University of Wisconsin - Green Bay." 2018. https://www.ki.com/about/pressroom/ki-in-the-news/2018/dick-resch-donates-to-university-of-wisconsin-green-bay/ (Accessed January 2026)
Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI). "Academy of Achievement Richard Resch." https://smei.org/mission/aboutacademy/honoreesacademy/richard_resch/ (Accessed January 2026)
KI Pressroom. "KI appoints Brian Krenke to succeed Dick Resch as CEO." 2019. https://www.ki.com/about/pressroom/ki-in-the-news/2019/ki-appoints-brian-krenke-to-succeed-dick-resch-as-green-bay-furniture-manufacturers-ceo/ (Accessed January 2026)