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Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.8M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.1M
Decision Time
1mo

Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,838,720 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $106.9 million
  • Decision Time: Monthly review (applications due first business day of month)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Manitowoc County and surrounding Lakeshore area, Wisconsin
  • Number of Grants: 147 awards in 2024

Contact Details

Address: 915 Memorial Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 684-6110
Fax: (920) 684-7381
Email: info@westfoundation.us
Website: www.westfoundation.us

Overview

The Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation was established in 1957 as a Wisconsin non-stock, non-profit corporation by John and Ruth West. John West graduated from Cornell University with an engineering degree in 1932 and joined Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, eventually serving as President from 1957 to 1981. Ruth, born in 1898 in New York, was deeply influenced by her Quaker upbringing, which emphasized simplicity, peace, integrity, equality, and stewardship. The couple married in Ithaca, New York in 1932 and moved to Manitowoc, where they built a modernist home along Lake Michigan and created the six-acre West of the Lake Gardens. Following their deaths (John in 1989, Ruth in 1990), the foundation continued their philanthropic legacy with approximately $106.9 million in assets and distributed $4.8 million in grants in 2024. The foundation maintains the historic West of the Lake Gardens, which is listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places and remains open to the public at no charge.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations in and around Manitowoc County with a focus on:

  • Humanitarian causes: Direct human services to Manitowoc County residents
  • Education: Higher education initiatives (K-12 school systems not eligible)
  • Arts and culture: Support for arts organizations, museums, and cultural programming
  • Civic and public purposes: Community initiatives and civic projects
  • Environment: Environmental conservation and natural resource projects
  • Historic preservation: Support for heritage and preservation initiatives

The foundation also maintains and operates West of the Lake Gardens as a public garden.

Recent Special Programs

In 2022, the foundation announced the Directors' Choice Imagining Grant program totaling $100,000:

  • $50,000 for a non-profit proposing programs providing direct human services to Manitowoc County residents
  • $50,000 for a non-profit designing programs focused on arts, culture, or environment in Manitowoc County

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Individuals
  • Political groups
  • Churches/religious groups
  • K-12 school systems
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Social organizations
  • Veteran organizations
  • Multi-year commitments
  • Ongoing operational support

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Dr. Phyllis Schippers - President, Chairman & CEO
  • John Jagemann - Vice President & Vice Chairman
  • Bernadine Zimmer - Treasurer
  • Amy Molepske - Secretary
  • Thomas J. Bare - Past President
  • Justin Gerlach - Board Member

The board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month to review and award grants to tax-exempt organizations throughout Manitowoc County and bordering counties if their cause benefits Manitowoc County residents.

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation's mission statement is to "Continue the philanthropic legacy of John and Ruth West" through supporting West of the Lake Gardens, grants to arts organizations, and humanitarian, cultural, and civic organizations in the Lakeshore area. As noted in historical accounts, Ruth West's philanthropy reflected her Quaker values and her personal commitment: "Federation matters have always held precedent over all other activities of my busy life... in the hope of serving the cause well."

Application Process & Timeline

Current Application Status

Important: The West Foundation is currently not accepting unsolicited proposals. Presently, proposals are by invitation only and are restricted to previous grant constituents. Organizations should check the foundation's website for future updates regarding this policy.

How to Apply (For Invited Organizations)

When applications are accepted, applicants must submit:

  • Complete grant application (available at westfoundation.us)
  • Project budget with sustainability plan
  • Current financial reports
  • Most recent Form 990
  • Copy of 501(c)(3) determination letter
  • Current Board of Directors listing with addresses and occupations
  • Valid IRS Tax ID (organization must have had for minimum of two years)

Applications must be submitted to:
West Foundation, Inc.
915 Memorial Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity
  • Must have valid IRS Tax ID for minimum of two years
  • Must be centered in the Lakeshore area
  • Organizations in bordering counties eligible if their cause benefits Manitowoc County residents

Decision Timeline

  • Board Meeting Schedule: Fourth Wednesday of each month
  • Application Deadline: First business day of the month to be considered at that month's board meeting
  • Decision Time: Typically within the same month (applications received by the first business day are reviewed at the board meeting later that month)

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's current invitation-only status and focus on previous grant constituents, the following factors are important for organizations that may be invited to apply:

Local Impact: The foundation prioritizes organizations serving Manitowoc County residents. Projects in bordering counties must demonstrate clear benefits to Manitowoc County residents.

Financial Sustainability: Applications must include a sustainability plan showing how the project will continue beyond the foundation's grant. The foundation explicitly states it does not provide multi-year commitments or ongoing operational support.

Established Organizations: Only nonprofits that have operated for a minimum of two years are eligible, reflecting the foundation's preference for supporting stable, established organizations.

Mission Alignment: The foundation's roots in the Wests' personal philanthropy—particularly Ruth West's focus on community service, arts, and environmental stewardship—suggest applications demonstrating hands-on community engagement and cultural enrichment align well with their values.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) received funding for work in the Manitowoc River Basin, supporting projects from Trout in the Classroom to the Coastal Resiliency Community Impact Project
  • The 2022 Directors' Choice grants of $50,000 each show the foundation's interest in innovative program development in human services and arts/culture/environment

Grant Range Considerations: With an average grant size of approximately $32,915 (based on 147 grants totaling $4.8 million in 2024), most grants appear to be modest to moderate in size, though the foundation has awarded grants up to $100,000 for special programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only status: The foundation currently accepts proposals only from previous grant constituents by invitation. New organizations should focus on building relationships and demonstrating community impact that aligns with the foundation's priorities.

  • Monthly cycle offers consistency: For invited applicants, the predictable monthly board meeting schedule (fourth Wednesday) with applications due the first business day provides regular opportunities for funding consideration.

  • No ongoing support: Applications must include clear sustainability plans, as the foundation does not provide multi-year commitments or operational support.

  • Local focus is paramount: Organizations must be centered in the Lakeshore area or demonstrate clear benefits to Manitowoc County residents.

  • Values-driven legacy: Understanding the Wests' personal philanthropy—particularly Ruth's Quaker values of simplicity, stewardship, and community service—can inform application framing and project design.

  • Average grant size: With typical grants averaging around $33,000, budget requests should be realistic and match the foundation's giving patterns, though special programs have awarded up to $100,000.

  • Two-year minimum operation: Organizations must have been operating with a valid IRS Tax ID for at least two years before applying.

References

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