George Kress Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small nonprofit should not send a cold proposal and should look instead for a route to an invitation through an existing connection.
- Its stated areas of arts and culture, civic engagement, education, and health and human services, and its focus on organisations that align with its funding priorities, are the best guide to whether your work fits.
- Most of its grants are modest: half of its 433 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fall between $1,000 and $50,000, so a request in that typical band suits it, though its largest grant was $500,000 and the band is not a ceiling.
- The filings show grants mainly in Wisconsin, but no geographic focus is stated, so a Wisconsin base is a useful signal rather than a rule.
- Repeat giving is strong, with 69% of its grant dollars to organisations going to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so a relationship-led approach is likely to matter more than a first cold approach.
Overview
George Kress Foundation is a US private foundation based in Green Bay, WI.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (gbp.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation says it supports nonprofit organisations locally, focusing on those that align with its funding priorities, and may also address specific community needs. Its stated areas include arts and culture, civic engagement, education, and health and human services. It describes health, wellness and safety programmes as helping create strong communities, and says it contributes to start-up projects, new projects and programmes within existing organisations when they significantly affect the community. Education is framed as a cornerstone of brighter futures and stronger communities. The grant record is concentrated in Wisconsin and spans museums, schools and educational institutions, health and human-service providers, youth organisations, and arts and cultural groups.
Themes
- Arts and culture
- Civic engagement
- Education
- Health and human services
- Community advancement
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Wisconsin.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 69% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 433 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation focuses on nonprofit organisations that align with its funding priorities. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 69% of grant dollars went to organisations George Kress Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 8% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 132 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $5,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Greater Green Bay Community Foundation · Cornerstone community ice center$500,0002024 tax year
- Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society · Door county maritime museum archives building$500,0002024 tax year
- Friends of Bay Beach · Bay beach all-inclusive playground (payment 2 of 2)$500,0002024 tax year
- CP · Cp telethon program support & center updates$262,5002024 tax year
- Green Bay Botanical Gardens · Nature nurtures campaign (3 of 4)$250,0002024 tax year
- On Broadway · The public market campaign$250,0002024 tax year
- Bellin Health Foundation · In full embrace-nicu campaign (3 of 4)$250,0002024 tax year
- National Railroad Museum · Full steam ahead (payment 1 of 4)$250,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Terry Wickman — Vice President
- Daniel Wickman — Trustee
- William Kress — Trustee
- Ingrid Kress — Secretary / Treasurer
- John Kress — Chairman
- Michelle Hansen — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,572,954 | $3,461,600 | $19,582,270 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,720,125 | $3,624,724 | $23,110,951 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,765,329 | $4,649,618 | $26,598,419 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to George Kress Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Green Bay, WI
Applying to George Kress Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Green Bay, WI