Henry J Predolin Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,800,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $88,500 - $1,110,000
• Geographic Focus: Madison, Wisconsin and Rochester, Minnesota

Contact Details

The foundation does not have a public website. Contact information can be obtained from Form 990-PF filings available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer or the IRS.

Mailing Address: Available in Form 990-PF filings
EIN: 39-1931309
President: Robert (Bob) Chritton

Overview

The Henry J. Predolin Foundation Inc. was established in 1999 by Henry Predolin to honor the memory of his son, Henry J. Predolin. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the foundation holds approximately $69.4 million in assets (2024) and maintains an annual giving budget of approximately $2.8 million. The foundation focuses primarily on higher education scholarships, healthcare institutions, and social service programs addressing food security and housing. Henry Predolin served on Edgewood University's Board of Trustees from 1988-1991 and was instrumental in forming the campus master plan vision. The foundation has established long-term partnerships with select organizations rather than making one-time grants, with some relationships spanning over 17 years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grants rather than competitive application cycles. Major funding streams include:

• Higher Education Scholarships: $785,000 - $1,000,000 annually to Edgewood University for Business, Nursing, and Science majors
• Food Security Programs: $88,500 to Community Action Coalition for purchasing and distributing dairy to low-income children
• Housing and Social Services: $1,110,000 to United Way of Dane County for housing and food programs

Priority Areas

Education and Scholarships

• Undergraduate scholarships for students with financial need in Business, Nursing, and Science programs
• Equipment and facility investments for health science programs
• Support for nursing education (endowed the Henry Predolin School of Nursing at Edgewood University in 2014)

Healthcare

• In-patient medical care
• Hospital care
• Specialty hospital care
• Health science education programs and equipment

Social Services

• Food security and nutrition programs for low-income children and families
• Housing programs for homeless families (Housing First initiative)
• United Way and federated giving programs

Geographic Focus

• Primary focus: Madison, Wisconsin and Dane County
• Secondary focus: Rochester, Minnesota

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. Based on grant history, the foundation appears focused exclusively on education, healthcare, and social services in their two geographic areas.

Governance and Leadership

Robert (Bob) Chritton - President and Director ($267,500 compensation, 2024)

Additional directors include:

• Anthony Medyn
• Jack Robson
• David Erickson
• Brett Bryant

Directors receive approximately $52,275 in annual compensation.

Quote from Bob Chritton: "Henry Predolin had a vision to make a difference in people's lives, particularly for students who need help to afford a college degree."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Henry J. Predolin Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, making grants to organizations with which they have established relationships. There is no public website, application portal, or published guidelines for unsolicited proposals.

Grants are awarded based on board decisions rather than competitive applications. The foundation has demonstrated a preference for multi-year partnerships with select organizations rather than responding to open applications.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has established long-term relationships with specific organizations in Madison, Wisconsin and Rochester, Minnesota. Key patterns include:

• Edgewood University: 17-year relationship totaling over $15.3 million, stemming from Henry Predolin's service on their Board of Trustees (1988-1991)
• United Way of Dane County: 14-year relationship totaling $12.4 million (as of 2022)
• Community Action Coalition: Ongoing relationship since 2009, totaling $460,000

Organizations that have received grants typically have direct connections to the foundation's geographic focus areas (Madison/Dane County and Rochester, Minnesota) and align with the foundation's core priorities in education, healthcare, and social services.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grants appear to be awarded on a recurring annual basis to established partners, typically announced in the fall/winter months (October-December based on public announcements).

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

For organizations seeking to understand the foundation's priorities:

Focus on Long-Term Impact for Students with Financial Need Bob Chritton has emphasized that "Henry Predolin had a vision to make a difference in people's lives, particularly for students who need help to afford a college degree." The foundation prioritizes scholarships that enable students from low-income backgrounds to access higher education in practical fields like Business, Nursing, and Science.

Preference for Business, Nursing, and Science Education All education grants to Edgewood University specifically support students in these three fields, reflecting a focus on career-oriented programs with clear pathways to employment.

Multi-Year Commitments to Proven Partners The foundation has made consecutive annual grants to the same organizations for over a decade, suggesting they value sustained partnerships that demonstrate ongoing impact rather than one-time grants to new organizations.

Support for Basic Needs Social service grants focus on fundamental needs: food (dairy for low-income children) and housing for homeless families. The foundation supported United Way's Housing First initiative, which has served 1,624 children in 728 families.

Recognition of Impact United Way of Dane County awarded the foundation a Centennial Community Builder Award in recognition of their transformational support, indicating the foundation values being acknowledged for significant community impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This is an invitation-only funder that operates through trustee discretion and established relationships
• Geographic specificity - Focus is exclusively on Madison/Dane County, Wisconsin and Rochester, Minnesota
• Long-term partnership model - The foundation commits to organizations for 10+ years rather than making one-time grants
• Education focus on practical fields - Scholarships target Business, Nursing, and Science students with demonstrated financial need
• Healthcare and basic needs - Beyond education, funding supports healthcare institutions and programs addressing food security and housing
• Relationship-driven - Historical connections matter (Henry Predolin's board service at Edgewood University led to 17 years of funding)
• Significant grant sizes - Average grant is approximately $933,000, with typical grants ranging from $88,500 to over $1 million

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Henry J Predolin Foundation Inc (EIN: 39-1931309), accessed January 16, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/391931309

2. Edgewood University, "Henry J. Predolin Foundation Grants $955,000 for Scholarships," December 17, 2024. https://www.edgewood.edu/news/2024/12/17/predolin-foundation-grants/

3. Edgewood University, "Henry J. Predolin Foundation Grants $925,000 for Scholarships," December 7, 2023. https://www.edgewood.edu/news/2023/12/07/henry-j-predolin-foundation-grants-925000-for-scholarships/

4. Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, "Henry J. Predolin Foundation awards CAC with 2023 grant of $88,500," February 14, 2023. https://www.cacscw.org/10037-2/

5. Verona Press, "United Way of Dane County receives $1 million grant for housing, food programs," November 2022. https://www.veronapress.com/news/united-way-of-dane-county-receives-1-million-grant-for-housing-food-programs/article_b7112c10-5c73-11ed-b9ef-4794b253e4e6.html

6. Cause IQ - Henry J. Predolin Foundation profile, accessed January 16, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/henry-j-predolin-foundation,391931309/

7. Instrumentl - Henry J Predolin Foundation Inc 990 Report, accessed January 16, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/henry-j-predolin-foundation-inc