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Tate Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $46,875 (2023); $849,207 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: Approximately $2,000 - $10,000 (estimated based on average grant size)
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily Wisconsin, California, South Carolina, and Utah)
  • Assets: $16.1 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Fox Point, WI

Note: No public website, email, or phone number available. This is a private family foundation.

Overview

The Tate Family Foundation Inc was established in July 1994 as a private family foundation based in Fox Point, Wisconsin. With assets of approximately $16.1 million as of 2024, the foundation has demonstrated a commitment to community-focused philanthropy across multiple states. The foundation is led by the Tate family, with Joseph P. Tate serving as Treasurer and Jenifer Tate as President. In 2023, the foundation made 9 grants totaling $46,875, while 2024 saw significantly increased charitable disbursements of $849,207. The foundation operates with no paid staff, with all officers serving in volunteer capacities. The Tate family has shown particular interest in veteran mental health services, children's education, and community development initiatives. Geographic giving extends beyond Wisconsin to include communities in California, South Carolina, and Utah.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Giving appears to be discretionary based on trustee interests and relationships.

Known Areas of Support (based on documented giving):

  • Veterans' mental health and suicide prevention
  • Children's museums and educational institutions
  • Community development initiatives

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish specific funding priorities, documented giving patterns indicate support for:

  • Veterans Services: Including significant support for veteran mental health programs
  • Children & Youth: Support for children's museums and educational programs
  • Community Organizations: Local and regional nonprofit organizations

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports organizations in:

  • Wisconsin: Cedarburg, Fox Point, Milwaukee, Mount Pleasant, Muskego
  • California: Fresno, Santa Monica
  • South Carolina: Greenville, Spartanburg
  • Utah: Ogden

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with discretionary grantmaking, specific exclusions are not published.

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Trustees

  • Jenifer Tate, President
  • Joseph P. Tate, Treasurer
  • Samara Noll, Secretary

All officers serve without compensation and work minimal hours for the foundation.

Notable Philanthropic Initiatives

Beyond the foundation's grantmaking, Joseph and Jenifer Tate have made significant direct contributions to causes they care about. In August 2018, they established the Captain John D. Mason Veteran Peer Outreach Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, providing three years of pilot funding. The program was created to honor Joseph Tate's business partner and best friend, John Mason, a Vietnam veteran who struggled with PTSD and depression. This initiative connects veterans with mental health services through peer outreach and demonstrates the family's deep commitment to veteran suicide prevention.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Tate Family Foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation where grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than competitive application processes.

Grants appear to be made to organizations already known to the trustees or identified through their personal networks and community involvement. The foundation does not maintain a public website, published guidelines, or application forms.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation made 9 grants in 2023 from assets of $16.7 million, suggesting highly selective, relationship-based giving.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors characterize organizations that receive support:

Characteristics of Funded Organizations:

  • Pre-existing relationships: Recipients typically have existing connections to the Tate family or foundation trustees
  • Alignment with personal interests: Strong correlation with causes the Tate family personally supports, particularly veteran mental health and children's programs
  • Geographic proximity: Wisconsin-based organizations, particularly in the Milwaukee area, appear frequently among recipients
  • Established organizations: Recipients tend to be well-established nonprofits with proven track records

Based on the Tate Family's Documented Giving:

  • The Captain John D. Mason Veteran Peer Outreach Program demonstrates the family's preference for creating named programs that honor individuals meaningful to them
  • Support for the Betty Brinn Children's Museum indicates interest in hands-on educational experiences for children
  • Multi-state giving suggests the family maintains connections across several regions, likely through business or personal ties

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Relationship-driven: Grants are made to organizations known to the trustees through personal or professional networks
  • Veteran services priority: The Tate family has demonstrated significant commitment to veteran mental health, particularly suicide prevention
  • Small to moderate grants: Average grant size approximately $5,200 in 2023, though 2024 saw much larger total disbursements
  • Geographic diversity: While Wisconsin-focused, the foundation supports organizations in California, South Carolina, and Utah
  • Personal connection matters: The family's most significant philanthropic efforts honor meaningful relationships (e.g., the Captain John D. Mason program)
  • No staff infrastructure: As an all-volunteer operation, the foundation likely has limited capacity to review unsolicited requests

References

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