Daniel M. Soref Revocable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,000,235 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 46-53 grants annually
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,750,000
• Total Assets: $67.5 million (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Milwaukee, Wisconsin metro area

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 170504, Milwaukee, WI 53217-8041

Phone: (262) 240-9755

Trustee: Audrey J. Strnad

Note: The trust does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Daniel M. Soref Revocable Trust was established in August 2001 upon the death of Daniel M. Soref (1930-2001), who served as Secretary of Milwaukee's Master Lock Company and was part of the founding family. The trust, managed by sole trustee Audrey J. Strnad, maintains assets of approximately $67.5 million and distributes approximately $3 million annually in grants to preselected organizations. The trust focuses primarily on arts and culture, children and youth services, education, healthcare (particularly neurological research), human services, and Jewish agencies. Major legacy projects include the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater & Planetarium at Milwaukee Public Museum, the Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons at UWM Libraries, and the Daniel M. Soref Fellowship for Clinical Neuroscience at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Major Capital Grants: $1-2 million (transformative infrastructure projects)
• Named Fellowship/Program Grants: $100,000+ (annual competitive fellowships)
• Standard Organizational Grants: Varies widely (average $60,000-65,000)

Priority Areas

• Healthcare & Medical Research: Neurological research, particularly Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis
• Education: Higher education institutions, particularly UW-Milwaukee
• Arts & Culture: Milwaukee Public Museum and cultural institutions
• Children & Youth Services: Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Jewish Community Organizations: Milwaukee Jewish Federation agencies
• Human Services: Homeless services, family services, senior housing

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the Milwaukee metropolitan area
• Unsolicited applications from any organization
• Organizations without pre-existing relationships with the trust

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Audrey J. Strnad serves as the sole trustee, managing the trust's substantial assets and grant-making activities with annual compensation of $240,000.

The trust operates as a private independent foundation under Section 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since March 2002. Daniel M. Soref was the son of Samuel M. Soref, co-founder and Chairman of Master Lock Company, established in 1921.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. According to their IRS filings, the Daniel M. Soref Revocable Trust "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the trust operates on trustee discretion rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications. The trust makes 46-53 grants annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this trust does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns shows:

• Milwaukee Impact: Deep commitment to Milwaukee-area institutions
• Long-term Institutional Relationships: Support for established institutions with transformative gifts
• Alignment with Personal History: Strong interest in neurological research (Daniel M. Soref died from Alzheimer's), Jewish community, and education
• Substantial, Catalytic Gifts: Focus on major projects that create lasting legacy
• Multi-year Commitments: Sustained support for organizations like Medical College of Wisconsin

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - Cannot be approached through standard grant applications
• Preselected organizations only - Grants made exclusively to organizations already identified by trustee
• Milwaukee-centric - All giving concentrated in Milwaukee metropolitan area
• Legacy focus - Gifts often substantial and create named programs or facilities
• Clear priority areas - Neurological research, Jewish community, education, youth services, cultural institutions
• Relationship-driven - Existing connections to trust, Soref family, or Milwaukee philanthropic community essential

References

• Cause IQ Database - Daniel M Soref Rvoc Trust Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/daniel-m-soref-rvoc-trust,396758434/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/396758434
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries - Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons. https://uwm.edu/libraries/commons/about/
• Medical College of Wisconsin - Daniel M. Soref Fellowship for Clinical Neuroscience
• Milwaukee Public Museum - Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater & Planetarium