Bierman Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,681,600 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available (11 grants awarded in 2023)
• Geographic Focus: Merrill, Wisconsin and surrounding areas (Lincoln County)

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 375, 1400 W Taylor St, Merrill, WI 54452-0375
Phone: (715) 536-2461
EIN: 39-1673472
Website: No public website identified

Application Submission: Applications should be submitted in writing to the address above.

Overview

The Bierman Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1990 in Merrill, Wisconsin. Founded by Carl and Jane Bierman, who also established Lincoln Wood Products (now Lincoln Windows) in 1947, the foundation carries forward the family's commitment to the Merrill community. With assets exceeding $20 million, the foundation distributed $2,681,600 in grants across 11 awards in 2023. The foundation's principal purpose is to support charitable organizations and causes in the Merrill, Wisconsin and surrounding areas, with a documented focus on education through scholarships and community development projects. Since establishing the Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship program in 2007, the foundation has made over 70 scholarship awards to students at Northcentral Technical College. The foundation operates as a private independent grantmaking foundation classified under NTEE code T22.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship

• Available through Northcentral Technical College
• Established in 2007, with over 70 awards made to date
• Amount: Typically $200-$2,500 (consistent with NTC Foundation scholarship ranges)
• Eligibility: New or continuing students with minimum 6 credits and 2.5 GPA
• Preference given to Lincoln County residents and students from Merrill
• Applications through NTC's scholarship portal

General Community Grantmaking

• 11 grants awarded in 2023 totaling $2,681,600
• 7 grants awarded in 2022
• 9 grants awarded in 2021
• Application method: Written applications submitted by mail

Priority Areas

Based on documented grantmaking activity:

• Education: Scholarships for technical college students, with emphasis on local residents
• Community Development: Support for public infrastructure and community facilities (e.g., Normal Park development)
• Arts and Culture: Support for local arts organizations like the Merrill City Band
• Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Merrill, Wisconsin and Lincoln County area

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's focus appears concentrated on:

• Organizations outside the Merrill/Lincoln County geographic area are unlikely to receive funding
• The foundation appears to support established local organizations rather than national charities

Governance and Leadership

The Bierman Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation. Specific details about current trustees and officers are not publicly available in standard nonprofit databases.

Foundation History: The foundation carries forward the legacy of Carl and Jane Bierman, who founded Lincoln Wood Products in 1947. Jane Bierman passed away in 2011 at age 91, shortly after a tornado severely damaged the Lincoln Wood Products facility. The family's commitment to the Merrill community, as expressed by the founders' desire that their company "would withstand the test of time and always offer employment to Merrill residents for generations to come," appears to guide the foundation's work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts written applications but does not maintain a public website or online application portal.

Application Method: Submit written proposals by mail to: Bierman Family Foundation Inc
PO Box 375
1400 W Taylor St
Merrill, WI 54452-0375

Contact: (715) 536-2461

For scholarship applications specifically, students should apply through Northcentral Technical College's scholarship portal (ntc.academicworks.com) rather than directly to the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented. The foundation files its Form 990-PF annually, with recent filings in October 2024 (for 2023), October 2023 (for 2022), and September 2022 (for 2021), suggesting grants are reviewed and awarded throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation made 11 grants totaling $2,681,600, averaging approximately $243,782 per grant, though grant sizes likely vary significantly.

Reapplication Policy

No public information is available regarding reapplication policies or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns:

1. Geographic Connection: Strong ties to Merrill, Wisconsin and Lincoln County are essential. The foundation's mission explicitly focuses on "charitable organizations and causes in the Merrill, Wisconsin and surrounding areas."

2. Community Impact: Successful grants appear to support projects with clear community benefit, such as the Merrill City Band's Normal Park development and educational opportunities for local students.

3. Education Focus: The foundation has sustained commitment to education, maintaining the scholarship program since 2007 with over 70 awards. Organizations supporting educational access for local youth align with documented priorities.

4. Established Organizations: While limited information is available about all grant recipients, the foundation appears to support established local organizations with clear charitable purposes.

5. Written Applications: The requirement for written applications suggests the foundation values thoughtful, well-documented proposals that clearly articulate needs and community impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local Focus is Critical: This foundation serves Merrill and Lincoln County specifically. Organizations outside this geographic area are unlikely to be funded.

• Substantial Grants Available: With $2.6+ million distributed across just 11 grants in 2023, individual grant amounts can be substantial, averaging over $240,000.

• Education is a Priority: The sustained scholarship program since 2007 demonstrates long-term commitment to educational access for local students.

• Limited Public Information: As a private family foundation, detailed application guidelines, deadlines, and decision criteria are not publicly posted. Direct contact is necessary.

• Community Connection Matters: The foundation's roots in the Bierman family's business legacy and commitment to Merrill's prosperity suggest relationship-building within the local community may be valuable.

• Patient Follow-Up: With no online portal or published timelines, applicants should be prepared for a traditional, relationship-based grantmaking process.

• Technical College Partnership: The foundation's scholarship program through Northcentral Technical College demonstrates willingness to work through established institutional partnerships.

References

1. Cause IQ - Bierman Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/bierman-family-foundation,391673472/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Bierman Family Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/391673472 (Accessed March 2, 2026)

3. Grantmakers.io - Bierman Family Foundation Inc Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/391673472-bierman-family-foundation-inc/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

4. Northcentral Technical College - Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship. https://ntc.academicworks.com/opportunities/9082 (Accessed March 2, 2026)

5. Merrill City Band - Capital Campaign Contributors. http://merrillcityband.org/capital-campaign-donors/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

6. Merrill Foto News - Chamber Spotlight on Business: Lincoln Wood Products, May 9, 2018. https://merrillfotonews.com/2018/05/09/chamber-spotlight-on-business-lincoln-wood-products/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

7. Lincoln Windows - About Lincoln Windows. https://lincolnwindows.com/About.aspx (Accessed March 2, 2026)

8. Candid Foundation Directory - Bierman Family Foundation Inc. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BIER014 (Accessed March 2, 2026)