B A And Esther Greenheck Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,848,341 (2024)
• Total Assets: $72.7 million
• Decision Time: Approximately 1 week after board meeting
• Grant Range: Up to $5,000 (monthly review) and over $5,000 (bimonthly review)
• Geographic Focus: North Central Wisconsin
• Awards Made: 73 grants in 2023

Contact Details

Address: 500 First Street, Suite 5 – Tenth Floor, Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: (715) 842-3700
Website: https://providingopportunities.org
Application Portal: Online application only through Grant Interface

Overview

The B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation was established in 1998 by Bernie A. Greenheck and his wife Esther to say "thank you" to the employees, families, friends, and neighbors throughout Central Wisconsin who helped them during their years living and working in the region. Bernie Greenheck co-founded Greenheck Fan Corporation in 1947. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $27 million to area nonprofits. The foundation operates completely independently from Greenheck Fan Corporation and is committed to strengthening the community by providing opportunities for growth to people of North Central Wisconsin in the fields of Arts, Education, Health, and Economic and Social Development. The foundation emphasizes that "new ideas, new approaches and collaboration are most welcome."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers two grant review tracks based on grant amount:

• Grants $5,000 or Under: Reviewed monthly; applications due by midnight on the last Wednesday of each month
• Grants Over $5,000: Reviewed six times per year; applications due by midnight on the last Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November

Priority Areas

Arts: Focus on expanding existing arts programs and facilities and supporting new arts-related experiences accessible to people of all economic backgrounds. Past recipients include Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Central Wisconsin Children's Theatre, Wausau Conservatory of Music, and Performing Arts Foundation.

Education: Support for new and innovative approaches to education. Past recipients include local school districts (D.C. Everest, Wausau, Mosinee), Children's Museum of Marathon County, Junior Achievement, STEM Scouts, and literacy councils.

Health: Projects enhancing health resources in the area, with particular interest in mental health initiatives. Past recipients include Marshfield Clinic, Saint Clare's Hospital, Marathon County Health Department, Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, and NAMI Northwoods.

Economic and Social Development: Support for community development initiatives. Past recipients include United Way, food pantries, homeless shelters (Haven, Inc.), volunteer centers, Boys & Girls Club, and Faith in Action.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation prefers not to consider proposals from the same institution or organization more than once every 12 months. Organizations are encouraged to develop and rely upon diverse funding sources.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Mark Bradley
• Peter Dodson
• Amy Ebeling
• Don Grade
• Sandy Greenheck-Gumness
• Brian Gumness (Community Program Officer and CEO)
• Jon (Andy) Jackson
• Dave Johnson
• Jean Tehan

Staff

• Pamela Jackson, CEO and Executive Director (granddaughter of founders)
• Barbara Brown, Vice President
• Jenn Golbach, Director of Community Volunteer Engagement

Leadership Philosophy

CEO Brian Gumness (son-in-law of the founders) states: "It is important that we hang onto the values that Bernie and Esther had in wanting to make sure that their good fortune is also the good fortune of the community."

Executive Director Pam Jackson notes: "Marathon County was good to them and they wanted to be good in turn."

The foundation emphasizes that "the doors of the B.A. and Esther Greenheck Foundation are always open, just as the doors to Bernie's office always were, with all being welcome as they work to meet the diverse needs of the community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation only accepts applications submitted through their online grant application process.

Step 1: Check eligibility using the "Do I Qualify?" page on the foundation's website. Organizations must provide basic information including organization name, contact person, email, and EIN (Employer Identification Number).

Step 2: Create an account or log in to the Grant Interface portal at grantinterface.com.

Step 3: Complete and submit the online application by the appropriate deadline.

Decision Timeline

Review Schedule:

• Grants $5,000 or under: Reviewed monthly by the foundation
• Grants over $5,000: Reviewed by board of trustees six times per year

Notification: Each applicant will be notified via email of the foundation's final decision usually within one week of a board meeting.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation prefers not to consider proposals from any institution or organization more frequently than once every 12 months. This applies to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to develop diverse funding sources rather than relying on frequent applications to the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and guidance:

Submit clear, concise applications: The foundation explicitly encourages applicants to submit "clear, concise grant applications." Focus on articulating your project's impact without unnecessary complexity.

Demonstrate innovation: The foundation welcomes "new ideas, new approaches and collaboration." Applications that present fresh solutions to community challenges or innovative program delivery methods align with their stated interests.

Show community impact: Given the founders' commitment to giving back to Marathon County and North Central Wisconsin, emphasize how your project will strengthen the local community and provide opportunities for growth.

Align with focus areas: Ensure your project clearly fits within one or more of the foundation's four priority areas: Arts, Education, Health, or Economic and Social Development. Mental health initiatives appear to be of particular current interest.

Emphasize accessibility: Especially for arts programs, demonstrate how your project will be accessible to "people of all economic backgrounds."

Develop diverse funding: The foundation explicitly encourages applicants to "develop and rely upon diverse funding sources," suggesting they value sustainability and organizations that don't depend solely on their support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation reviews a high volume of applications (73-118 awards per year) and welcomes new applicants—"all being welcome" reflects their accessibility
• Online application is mandatory; no paper or email submissions accepted
• Timing matters: smaller grants ($5,000 or under) receive monthly review for faster decisions; larger grants reviewed bimonthly
• One application per organization per year is preferred—make it count
• Family values drive the foundation: Bernie and Esther's legacy of gratitude and community giving shapes current priorities
• Mental health is an emerging area of interest alongside established priorities in arts, education, health, and economic/social development
• Geographic focus is specific to North Central Wisconsin, particularly Marathon County and the greater Wausau area
• Notification is quick (within one week of board meeting), allowing for timely planning

References

• B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation official website: https://providingopportunities.org (accessed January 2026)
• "Your Town Greater Wausau Area: B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation carries on legacy started by founders," WSAW, December 8, 2021: https://www.wsaw.com/2021/12/08/your-town-greater-wausau-area-ba-esther-greenheck-foundation-carries-legacy-started-by-founders/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, B A And Esther Greenheck Foundation (EIN 39-1937735): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/391937735 (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Start Grant Now page: https://providingopportunities.org/grants/start-grant-now/ (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Do I Qualify page: http://providingopportunities.org/grants/do-i-qualify/ (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Board of Trustees page: https://providingopportunities.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/ (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Past Recipients page: https://providingopportunities.org/past-recipients/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/391937735-b-a-and-esther-greenheck-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)