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Raymond And Marie Goldbach Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.2M

Raymond And Marie Goldbach Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,209,463 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $58.5 million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies (specific amounts not publicly available)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Marathon County, Wisconsin and surrounding areas
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 304 East Street, Marathon, WI 54448
Phone: (715) 443-2211
Contact: John L. Skoug, President/Treasurer
EIN: 39-1877824

Overview

The Raymond and Marie Goldbach Foundation Inc was established in 1982, formalized as a tax-exempt entity in October 1997. The foundation was created following the success of Marathon Cheese Corporation, founded by Ray and Marie Goldbach in 1952. Ray Goldbach guided the company for 45 years until his death in 1997, growing it into the nation's largest independent packager of natural cheese.

With total assets of $58.5 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $3.2 million in charitable disbursements that year. The foundation was built on "an ideology of community support and charitable fellowship," reflecting the Goldbachs' deep commitment to their local community. The foundation supports a wide variety of charities, with a focus on directing aid where it will benefit employees of Marathon Cheese, as well as supporting education, human services, and community organizations in the Marathon area. Notable past projects include funding the Ray and Marie Goldbach Swim Center in 1988, which continues to receive annual operating support from the foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation without designated program names. Based on available information, their grantmaking includes:

  • Education Support: Scholarships for Wisconsin residents pursuing higher education, including specific programs for children of Marathon Cheese Corporation employees
  • Local School Programs: Scholarship programs offered to four local area high schools (including Marathon, Edgar, and Athens)
  • Community Facilities: Ongoing support for community infrastructure such as the Marathon Area Swim Association
  • Human Services: Grants to organizations providing social services in north central Wisconsin

Priority Areas

Based on tax filings and historical patterns, the foundation's giving focuses on:

  • Education: Higher education scholarships for Wisconsin residents, with priority for Marathon Cheese employee families and local high school students
  • Youth Development: Support for swimming education and safety through the Marathon Area Swim Association, which provides free swim lessons to over 1,300 students annually
  • Human Services: Organizations serving Marathon County and north central Wisconsin communities
  • Community Development: Infrastructure and programs benefiting the Marathon area

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation with close ties to Marathon Cheese Corporation, grants appear to focus primarily on Marathon County and surrounding Wisconsin communities.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a small board of unpaid directors:

  • John L. Skoug - President and Treasurer
  • Reverend Joseph G. Diermeier - Vice President and Secretary
  • William R. Tehan (served until 2025) - Director

William R. Tehan, who passed away in June 2025, was described as being "especially proud to serve as director of the Ray and Marie Goldbach Foundation." He was also a prominent community leader who served as secretary and president of the Grand Theatre Foundation in Wausau for nearly 30 years and was president of Centergy, Inc., demonstrating the foundation's connection to broader north central Wisconsin community leadership.

The foundation's leadership reflects its deep roots in the Marathon community, with connections to both the business community (through Marathon Cheese Corporation) and civic organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Raymond and Marie Goldbach Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates as a private family foundation with grants determined by trustee discretion. Scholarships for Marathon Cheese Corporation employees' children are handled internally through the company's benefits program.

For local high school scholarships, students should inquire through their school's guidance counselor, as these programs are administered directly with Marathon, Edgar, Athens, and other area high schools.

Organizations seeking support from the foundation may contact John L. Skoug at (715) 443-2211, though there is no guarantee of consideration without a pre-existing relationship with the foundation or its trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking appears to be relationship-based and focused on:

  • Marathon Cheese Corporation connections: The foundation "tries whenever possible, to direct aid where it will benefit employees of Marathon Cheese," suggesting that organizations serving Marathon Cheese employees or their families may be prioritized
  • Local partnerships: The foundation has established ongoing relationships with specific organizations like the Marathon Area Swim Association, which receives annual operating support
  • School district relationships: Direct partnerships with local high schools (Marathon, Edgar, Athens, and potentially others) for scholarship administration
  • Geographic proximity: Being located in or serving Marathon County and surrounding Wisconsin communities appears to be important

Given the foundation's historical pattern of supporting specific community institutions (the swim center, local schools, employee programs), new organizations would likely need a connection through existing board members or Marathon Cheese Corporation to be considered for funding.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating without formal application cycles, timing likely varies based on trustee meetings and individual circumstances.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation distributed $3.2 million in charitable grants in 2024 from assets of $58.5 million, suggesting an active and well-funded grantmaking operation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Raymond and Marie Goldbach Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's history and structure, the following characteristics appear to align with their giving:

  • Geographic focus on Marathon County: The foundation was created to support the local community where Marathon Cheese Corporation is based. Projects serving Marathon, Edgar, Athens, and surrounding communities align with their mission.

  • Connection to Marathon Cheese Corporation: The foundation explicitly states it "tries whenever possible, to direct aid where it will benefit employees of Marathon Cheese," suggesting organizations serving this employee population may receive priority consideration.

  • Sustainable community infrastructure: The Goldbachs' funding of the Ray and Marie Goldbach Swim Center in 1988, with continuing annual operating support, demonstrates interest in lasting community assets rather than one-time projects.

  • Education and youth development: From employee children's scholarships to local high school programs to swim safety education for 1,300+ students annually, education is a consistent thread throughout the foundation's giving.

  • Demonstrated community leadership: Board member William R. Tehan's obituary noted his extensive civic involvement including the Grand Theatre Foundation and Centergy, Inc., suggesting the foundation values organizations with established community presence and leadership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - it operates as a private family foundation with trustee-directed giving
  • Local focus is critical - Marathon County and north central Wisconsin organizations are the clear geographic priority
  • Long-term relationships matter - ongoing support for established partners (swim center, local schools) suggests the foundation prefers sustained engagement over one-time grants
  • Marathon Cheese Corporation connections are valuable - serving employees and their families appears to be a stated priority
  • Education is a consistent focus - from scholarships to youth programs, educational support spans multiple program areas
  • Community infrastructure investments - the foundation has funded lasting facilities and programs that serve the community for decades
  • For scholarship seekers - contact your high school guidance counselor if attending Marathon, Edgar, or Athens schools; Marathon Cheese employees should inquire through company HR about family scholarship opportunities

References

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