Raibrook Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,572,993 (2024 fiscal year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 7-10 business days (mini grants); 4 weeks (general grants)
• Grant Range: Up to $500 (mini grants); $500+ (general grants)
• Geographic Focus: Door County, Wisconsin (emphasis on Sturgeon Bay, Nasewaupee, and Sevastopol)
• Total Assets: $27.1 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 30 North 18th Avenue, Unit 4A, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Phone: (920) 746-2995

Email: julie@raibrookfoundation.com

Website: www.raibrookfoundation.com

Grants & Operations Manager: Julie LaLuzerne - (920) 746-2995 ext. 102 or julie@raibrookfoundation.com

Pre-Application Support: First-time applicants are encouraged to contact Julie LaLuzerne before submitting their application.

Overview

The Raibrook Foundation Inc is a nonprofit, tax-exempt private foundation established on May 15, 1990, by a local philanthropist with a deep affection for Door County who desired to enhance the area for current and future generations. With total assets of approximately $27.1 million and charitable disbursements of $1.57 million in fiscal year 2024, the foundation serves as a significant funding partner for Door County nonprofits. The foundation's mission is to assist Door County nonprofit organizations with projects and activities that enrich and improve life for residents and visitors through Education, History, and Recreation. The foundation operates exclusively within Door County, Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on the City of Sturgeon Bay and the towns of Nasewaupee, Sevastopol, and Sturgeon Bay. The foundation maintains a commitment to being a "funding partner" rather than sole funder, requiring organizations to demonstrate additional confirmed funding sources for their projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Mini Grant Program: Up to $500

• Rolling basis - applications accepted anytime
• Quick turnaround: 7-10 business days for decision
• Limit of 4 grants per organization per calendar year
• Suitable for smaller projects and activities

General Grant Program: Over $500

• Monthly application cycle with deadline on the 1st day of each month at midnight
• Decision timeline: approximately 4 weeks after monthly deadline
• No annual limit on number of grants per organization
• For more substantial project support

Priority Areas

The foundation funds projects that benefit Door County in three core areas:

1. Education: Educational programs, learning center upgrades, curriculum development, and activities that enhance educational opportunities for residents and visitors

2. History: Historical preservation, historical programming, and projects that celebrate and maintain Door County's heritage

3. Recreation: Recreational facilities, programs, and activities that improve quality of life for residents and enhance visitor experiences

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

• General operational expenses
• Debt retirement
• Loans
• Endowments
• Annual appeals
• Sponsorships
• Fundraising efforts or events
• Projects from organizations with discriminatory policies based on race, religion, color, creed, gender, national origin, or disability
• 100% of project costs (requires confirmed additional funding sources)
• Reimbursement for pre-purchased items (do not order supplies prior to grant approval)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• Cap Wulf
• Mike Madden
• Julie LaLuzerne
• Roger Wood
• Amy Stephens
• Collin Jeanquart

Staff

• Julie LaLuzerne - Grants & Operations Manager
• Lori Vorpahl - Staff Member
• Teara Stockwell - Staff Member

The foundation's leadership maintains a hands-on approach to grant-making, with Julie LaLuzerne serving in the dual role of board member and staff manager, demonstrating deep institutional knowledge and accessibility to applicants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Raibrook Foundation uses an online grant application system accessible through their website at www.raibrookfoundation.com/online-application.

New Applicants:

• Create an account using your email address as username
• Provide organization's legal name, Tax ID number, and executive director's contact information
• First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Julie LaLuzerne before applying

Application Requirements:

• Must include IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (for nonprofits) or proof of government status
• Complete online application form
• Upload required documents (combine into single file)
• Project budget demonstrating additional confirmed funding sources
• Save work frequently using "save as draft" feature

Choose Grant Type Based on Request Amount:

• Up to $500: Submit Mini Grant application (anytime, rolling basis)
• Over $500: Submit General Grant application (by 1st of month deadline)

Decision Timeline

Mini Grants (up to $500):

• Application review and decision: 7-10 business days from submission
• Can apply anytime throughout the year
• Limit of 4 mini grants per organization per calendar year

General Grants (over $500):

• Monthly deadline: 1st day of each month at midnight
• Application review and decision: approximately 4 weeks after the monthly deadline
• No limit on number of general grant applications per year

Notification: Applicants are notified of decisions via the contact information provided in their application.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose its success rate or the percentage of applications approved versus denied. In 2019, the foundation made 41 awards, indicating active grant-making, though without total application numbers, a precise success rate cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants with questions about reapplying after an unsuccessful application should contact Julie LaLuzerne directly at julie@raibrookfoundation.com or (920) 746-2995 ext. 102.

For mini grants, organizations are limited to 4 grants per calendar year regardless of approval status. For general grants, there is no stated annual limit.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated preferences and requirements, successful applications should:

1. Demonstrate Funding Partnership: The foundation emphasizes being a "funding partner" rather than sole funder. Applications must show confirmed additional funding sources and explain how the Raibrook Foundation grant fits into the overall project budget.

2. Serve Door County Community: Projects must clearly benefit Door County residents and/or visitors, with particular attention to Sturgeon Bay, Nasewaupee, and Sevastopol. Applications should explicitly describe the community impact.

3. Align with Core Focus Areas: Projects should clearly fit within Education, History, or Recreation. Applications should use this language and demonstrate how their project enhances these areas.

4. Demonstrate Project Readiness: The foundation states: "Write your grant application in advance of your project" and "Do not order supplies prior to grant approval." Successful applications show planning and preparation without having already committed funds.

5. Engage Early for First-Time Applicants: The foundation actively encourages first-time applicants to contact Julie LaLuzerne before submitting. This pre-application consultation can help ensure alignment with foundation priorities.

6. Provide Complete Documentation: Include all required materials, particularly the IRS determination letter or proof of government status, and a comprehensive project budget.

7. Recent Funded Example: Crossroads at Big Creek received funding from the Raibrook Foundation to upgrade the multi-media system in the Collins Learning Center for educational programming about local fossils and history—demonstrating support for educational infrastructure that serves both history and education priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two-tier system makes the foundation accessible: Mini grants up to $500 have quick 7-10 day turnaround and can be applied for anytime, making the foundation ideal for smaller immediate needs. Larger grants have a structured monthly cycle with 4-week review periods.

• Don't wait for annual cycles: With monthly general grant deadlines and anytime mini grant submissions, applicants can time their applications to their project needs rather than waiting for annual funding rounds.

• Leverage pre-application support: First-time applicants are explicitly encouraged to contact the Grants & Operations Manager before applying—take advantage of this to ensure your project aligns with foundation priorities.

• Partnership approach is key: The foundation will not fund 100% of project costs and requires confirmed additional funding. Frame your request as one component of a larger funding strategy and clearly show other committed sources.

• Geographic focus is strict but specific: Only Door County projects are eligible, with emphasis on three specific areas. Don't apply if your project primarily serves areas outside Door County, but do emphasize impact on Sturgeon Bay, Nasewaupee, and Sevastopol if relevant.

• Plan ahead but don't pre-purchase: Applications should be submitted before project implementation, and supplies should not be ordered prior to grant approval. The foundation will not reimburse for pre-purchased items.

• Focus on community enrichment: Frame your project in terms of how it "enriches and improves life for residents and visitors" using the foundation's mission language, particularly emphasizing long-term community benefit in education, history, or recreation.

References

1. Raibrook Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Homepage. https://www.raibrookfoundation.com/ (Accessed February 2026)

2. Raibrook Foundation, Inc. - Grant Eligibility Guidelines. https://www.raibrookfoundation.com/grant-information/guidelines (Accessed February 2026)

3. Raibrook Foundation, Inc. - Grant Applications. https://www.raibrookfoundation.com/online-application (Accessed February 2026)

4. Raibrook Foundation, Inc. - Help/FAQ. https://www.raibrookfoundation.com/help (Accessed February 2026)

5. Raibrook Foundation Profile. Cause IQ. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/raibrook-foundation,391683091/ (Accessed February 2026)

6. Raibrook Foundation Inc - Nonprofit Explorer. ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/391683091 (Accessed February 2026)

7. Raibrook Foundation Inc. Charity Navigator Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/391683091 (Accessed February 2026)

8. "Discover 'Fossils of Door County' at Crossroads." Door County Pulse. https://doorcountypulse.com/discover-fossils-of-door-county-at-crossroads/ (Accessed February 2026)

9. Raibrook Foundation Profile. Candid (Foundation Directory Online). https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=RAIB002 (Accessed February 2026)

10. Raibrook Foundation 990 Report. Instrumentl. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/raibrook-foundation-inc (Accessed February 2026)