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Emil Ewald Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $156,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $8.7 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $49,200
  • Grant Median: $1,000
  • Geographic Focus: Wisconsin (particularly Lake Country area)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 147, Oconomowoc, WI 53066-0147

Phone: (262) 337-9652

Note: The foundation does not have a publicly accessible website separate from the Ewald Automotive Group.

Overview

The Emil Ewald Family Foundation was established in 1991 by Emil Ewald, founder of the Ewald Automotive Group and World War II Navy veteran. Named TIME Magazine's Wisconsin Automobile Dealer of the Year in 1998, Emil Ewald created the foundation as an expression of his faith and commitment to giving back to his community. Following Emil's passing in January 2023, the foundation continues to be operated by his four sons: Craig, Brian, Daniel, and Thomas Ewald. With total assets of $8.7 million and annual giving of approximately $156,000, the foundation made 58 grants in 2023 to preselected organizations. The foundation focuses primarily on supporting Wisconsin-based organizations, with particular emphasis on religious institutions, veterans' causes, youth services, and community support programs in the Lake Country area surrounding Oconomowoc.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed amounts. Grants are awarded on a discretionary basis by the board of directors to preselected charitable organizations.

2023 Grant Distribution:

  • 58 total grants awarded
  • Largest grant: $49,200 (International Cooperating Ministries)
  • Common grant amount: $5,000 for local organizations
  • Median grant: $1,000

Recent Grant Recipients (2023):

  • International Cooperating Ministries: $49,200
  • Hope Church of Wisconsin: $5,000
  • Lake Country Caring: $5,000
  • St. Paul's Lutheran School: $5,000
  • Family Promise of Waukesha County: $5,000
  • Northpoint Community Church: $5,000
  • Lake Country Lutheran High School: Multiple grants
  • Wisconsin Masonic Home, Dousman: $20,000
  • Foundation of WATDA, Madison: $16,000
  • Spring Creek Church, Pewaukee: $5,000
  • Wisconsin Scottish Rite Foundation, Dousman: $4,000

Priority Areas

  • Religious Support: Christian churches, ministries, and faith-based schools
  • Veterans Support: Programs supporting military veterans and their families
  • Youth Services: Educational programs, schools, and youth development
  • Community Support: Local social services and community development
  • Healthcare Support: Medical and health-related charities
  • Educational Support: Scholarships and educational institutions
  • Additional Areas: Pet adoption, wildlife support, and sports programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals (except through scholarship programs)
  • Organizations outside Wisconsin (with rare exceptions, such as First Baptist Church in Naples, FL - $6,000)
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (as of 2023):

  • Craig A. Ewald: President and Director
  • Brian J. Ewald: Vice President and Director
  • Daniel T. Ewald: Treasurer and Director
  • Thomas E. Ewald: Secretary and Director

The four Ewald brothers collectively own and operate the Ewald Automotive Group, which was founded by their father Emil Ewald in 1964. The foundation operates with no full-time employees and is managed directly by the family board members.

Emil Ewald (1927-2023), the founder, was a World War II Navy veteran who began his automotive career after returning from service. He opened North Avenue Plymouth in 1964 and built what became the Ewald Automotive Group. He was named TIME Magazine's Automobile Dealer of the Year for Wisconsin in 1998. Emil was a Life Member of the American Legion and maintained strong commitments to veterans' causes throughout his life. His faith served as his moral compass and was the cornerstone of his philanthropic endeavors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Emil Ewald Family Foundation operates primarily by making contributions to preselected charitable organizations. While some sources indicate they may accept written proposals, the foundation's approach is highly selective and relationship-based.

Application Requirements:

  • Applications must be in writing
  • Must fully identify the charity, its purpose, and the intended use of the donation
  • Organization must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
  • Geographic restriction: Limited to Wisconsin-based organizations

Application Address: Emil Ewald Family Foundation P.O. Box 147 Oconomowoc, WI 53066-0147

No Public Application Deadlines: The foundation does not operate on a fixed deadline schedule.

Note: Given that the foundation states it makes contributions to "preselected charitable organizations," unsolicited applications may have limited success. Building a connection with the foundation through the Ewald family's known community involvement may be more effective than cold proposals.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation appears to make grant decisions on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The foundation made 58 grants in 2023 from total distributions of $156,000.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations that have received grants in the past appear in multiple years of grant listings, suggesting that repeat funding is possible for organizations within the foundation's network.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's focus on preselected organizations, success factors center on alignment and connection:

Alignment with Foundation Values:

  • Faith-Based Mission: The foundation shows strong preference for Christian organizations and churches. Emil Ewald's faith was central to his philanthropic vision.
  • Veterans Connection: As a WWII Navy veteran and Life Member of the American Legion, Emil Ewald's legacy includes strong support for veterans' causes.
  • Local Impact: Organizations serving the Lake Country area of Wisconsin, particularly around Oconomowoc, receive priority consideration.
  • Youth and Education: Lake Country Lutheran High School and educational programs receive consistent support.

Geographic and Community Connection:

  • Organizations in Waukesha County and surrounding Lake Country communities
  • Connection to the Ewald Automotive Group's business locations
  • Wisconsin-based operations (out-of-state grants are extremely rare)

Organizational Characteristics:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is mandatory
  • Clear charitable purpose and demonstrated community benefit
  • Organizations with established track records (the foundation appears to support established organizations rather than startups)

Relationship Building: Given the "preselected organizations" approach, having an existing connection to the Ewald family, their business network, or their church and community affiliations is likely important. The foundation's grant list reflects organizations in sectors where the Ewald family has personal involvement (automotive industry through WATDA, Masonic organizations, local Lutheran churches and schools).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Preselected Organizations: This foundation primarily supports organizations already known to the Ewald family. Cold applications may not be effective.
  • Faith-Based Priority: Christian organizations and churches receive significant support. The foundation's mission is rooted in Emil Ewald's Christian faith.
  • Wisconsin Only: With rare exceptions, all grants go to Wisconsin-based organizations, particularly in the Lake Country/Oconomowoc area.
  • Veterans Focus: Support for veterans' causes is a consistent priority, reflecting Emil Ewald's military service and American Legion membership.
  • Relationship-Driven: Success likely depends on existing connections to the Ewald family, their automotive business network, or their community and church affiliations.
  • Grant Size Variability: While the median grant is $1,000, the foundation has awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $49,200, with $5,000 being common for local organizations.
  • Educational Support: Lake Country Lutheran High School and other educational institutions receive ongoing support, including scholarship programs through the Elmbrook Education Foundation.

References

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