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Alexander Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,082,255 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not available (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not available (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: Approximately $12,000 average (based on $979,000 across 81 grants in 2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Port Edwards, Wisconsin and surrounding Wood County area

Contact Details

  • Phone: 715-887-2455
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 9, Port Edwards, WI 54469-0009
  • Website: None
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Alexander Charitable Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1955 and incorporated in Wisconsin, receiving its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in August 1957. With total assets of $19.5 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes over $1 million annually in grants. The foundation was created to honor the legacy of the Alexander family, prominent figures in Wisconsin's paper industry, particularly John E. Alexander who served as Chief Executive of Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Company. The foundation's mission focuses on supporting local community organizations, with a particular emphasis on community centers, Protestant churches, and hospitals. In 1990, the foundation established the Alexander House Center for Art & History, which serves as a lasting testament to the family's commitment to preserving local history and culture.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation distributed $979,000 across 81 awards in 2023, with an average grant size of approximately $12,000. Grants are awarded at trustee discretion without a formal application process.

Priority Areas

  • Community centers and community development initiatives
  • Protestant church support and religious organizations
  • Hospitals and healthcare facilities
  • Arts and cultural preservation (including support for the Alexander House Center for Art & History)
  • Local history and education

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, given their focus on the Port Edwards area and lack of public application process, they likely do not fund:

  • Organizations outside of Wisconsin
  • Individual requests
  • For-profit entities
  • Organizations without connections to the Wood County area

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with a small board structure typical of family foundations. Karen Thiel serves as Secretary/Treasurer, receiving modest compensation of $3,000 annually. Other board members serve without compensation. The foundation maintains low overhead, with 90.5% of expenses going directly to charitable disbursements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees based on their knowledge of community needs and existing relationships with organizations. Organizations interested in funding should make direct contact via phone (715-887-2455) or written correspondence to PO Box 9, Port Edwards, WI 54469-0009.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's deep roots in Port Edwards and the paper industry heritage:

  • The Alexander House Center for Art & History (1131 Wisconsin River Drive, Port Edwards) represents the foundation's major cultural investment - engaging with this institution may provide networking opportunities
  • The foundation maintains strong ties to the local Protestant church community in Wood County
  • Board members likely participate in Port Edwards community events and Wood County civic activities
  • The foundation has demonstrated sustained support for organizations that preserve and celebrate the industrial heritage of central Wisconsin

Decision Timeline

No formal timeline exists as grants are awarded at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the lack of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

No formal policy exists. Organizations receiving support appear to have ongoing relationships with the foundation, as evidenced by the consistent number of grants made annually.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and priorities:

  • Geographic proximity: Organizations serving Port Edwards and Wood County have the strongest alignment
  • Historical connection: Projects that honor or preserve the legacy of the Wisconsin paper industry and the Alexander family's contributions resonate with the foundation's mission
  • Community impact: The foundation's support of 81 organizations in 2023 demonstrates a preference for broad community benefit rather than concentrated giving
  • Religious alignment: Protestant churches and faith-based organizations align with stated funding priorities
  • Established credibility: Without a formal vetting process, the foundation likely relies on organizational reputation within the local community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a trustee-discretion foundation with no public application process - relationship building is essential
  • The foundation has deep roots in Wisconsin's paper industry history and values organizations that honor this heritage
  • With $19.5 million in assets generating consistent returns, the foundation has stable capacity for sustained giving
  • Average grant size of approximately $12,000 suggests the foundation prefers to support many organizations rather than making large, concentrated grants
  • Direct phone contact (715-887-2455) may be the most effective initial approach given the foundation's local, community-focused nature
  • The Alexander House Center serves as both a beneficiary and a potential networking venue for understanding the foundation's values
  • Geographic focus on Port Edwards and Wood County is paramount - organizations outside this area are unlikely to receive support

References

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