The Chipstone Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Chipstone Foundation concentrates on American material culture and the decorative arts, with particular stated interests in historical African American material culture and Native America research, so fit depends on work in these specific fields.
- It makes contributions only to preselected organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so this is an invitation-only, relationship-led funder rather than one that responds to open applications.
- No grant range is stated, so no guidance can be given on a realistic size of request; its total annual giving was $424,858 in the year reported, which gives a sense of overall scale but not of individual awards.
- Its Think Tank programme points to a particular interest in institutions pursuing scholarship that is more inclusive, diverse and in line with contemporary trends in the humanities.
- Given that it does not accept unsolicited requests, organisations without an existing connection to the Foundation should not expect to approach it directly.
Overview
The Chipstone Foundation is a US private foundation based in Milwaukee, WI.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Chipstone Foundation promotes and enhances appreciation and knowledge of American material culture, emphasising the decorative arts, for scholars, students and the general public. It preserves and interprets its collections as a living collection and expands scholarship through original research, scholarly publications, exhibitions, digital projects and teaching opportunities. Its teaching uses collections, videos and online resources for students of all ages. The Foundation also supports university material-culture study through student assistantships, grants and a faculty appointment, and works with museums, historic houses, foundations, university programmes, scholars and artists. Its stated interests include historical African American material culture and Native America research and curation, alongside scholarship that is more inclusive and diverse.
Themes
- American material culture
- Decorative arts
- Historical African American material culture
- Native America research
How to apply
The Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
What the foundation says:
- Its Think Tank programme seeks to work with institutions interested in scholarship that is more inclusive, diverse and in line with contemporary trends in the humanities.
Officers and directors
- L Elizabeth Dunn — Secretary, Assistant Treasurer
- Peter M Kenny — Director
- Ted D Kellner — Vice Chairman, Director
- Edward S Cooke Jr — Director
- Jacquelyn A Sarich — Office Administrator, VP Administration & Assistant Secretary
- Jonathan Prown — Executive Director & Chief Curator
- John S McGregor — Director, Chair Compensation Committee
- W David Knox II — Chair, Pres(Ceo), Treas, Dir
- C D Dickerson III — Director
- Juan Ruiz — VP, Manager Facilities, Grounds
- Michael W Hatch — Director
- Kaywin Feldman — Director
- Gustavus F Taylor — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $5,583,974 | $503,751 | $93,578,877 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $5,452,362 | $429,212 | $101,393,536 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,409,538 | $424,858 | $104,278,897 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to The Chipstone Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Applying to The Chipstone Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required