John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,842,210 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation/trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,100,000
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Total Assets: $12 million
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Wisconsin (Fox Valley region), despite Delaware registration
• Legal Status: Delaware private foundation
• EIN: 84-3036130

Contact Details

Registered Address: Wilmington, Delaware (registered agent address)

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not maintain a public website or application portal. The Wilmington address is a registered agent service commonly used for Delaware incorporations.

Overview

The John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation is a Delaware-registered private foundation established by John Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of U.S. Venture (Appleton, Wisconsin), and Julie Schaller-Schmidt, Executive Director of Kenya Works. Founded to support the couple's philanthropic priorities, the foundation has grown to approximately $12 million in assets and distributed $1.84 million in grants during 2023.

Despite its Delaware registration, the foundation primarily supports organizations in Wisconsin's Fox Valley region, including Appleton and Green Bay, reflecting the Schmidt family's deep roots in the community. The foundation operates as a private family foundation, making grants based on trustee discretion rather than through a public application process. Their grant-making has steadily increased from 17 awards in 2020 to 25 awards in 2023, demonstrating a growing commitment to community impact.

The foundation's work complements other Schmidt family philanthropic initiatives, including the separate U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation and various community partnerships focused on poverty alleviation, education, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation operates as a private foundation without designated grant programs or fixed application cycles. Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion and typically fall into the following categories:

General & Unrestricted Support: The foundation primarily provides general operating support to established nonprofit organizations, allowing recipients maximum flexibility in how funds are used.

Grant Amounts:

• Range: $1,000 - $1,100,000
• Median: $10,000
• Total Annual Giving: $1.84 million (2023)
• Number of Grants: 25 (2023), 30 (2022), 27 (2021), 17 (2020)

Priority Areas

Based on documented 2023 grants, the foundation supports organizations in the following sectors:

Human Services & Basic Needs:

• Emergency shelter and transitional housing (COTS)
• Poverty alleviation initiatives (Basic Needs Giving Partnership)
• Community development organizations

Youth Development:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley
• Youth education and mentorship programs

Community Development:

• Organizations serving the Fox Valley region
• Community benefit initiatives
• Faith-based community services

Geographic Focus: Overwhelming preference for organizations serving Appleton, Green Bay, and the broader Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, reflecting the family's business base and community ties.

Funding Style: Combination of one-time grants and multi-year support relationships. The foundation appears to support organizations where family members have board involvement or personal connection.

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation, the John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation does not publicly document exclusions. However, based on grant patterns:

• Organizations outside Wisconsin (with rare exceptions)
• Individual requests or scholarships
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• Organizations without established track records

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership: The foundation is governed by John Schmidt and Julie Schaller-Schmidt, who serve as trustees and make grant decisions.

John Schmidt - Chairman of the Board, U.S. Venture John Schmidt led Appleton-based U.S. Venture as President and CEO from 2007 until his retirement from the CEO role, when he transitioned to Chairman of the Board. U.S. Venture was founded in 1951 as Schmidt Brothers Oil Company by his father Art Schmidt and uncle Ray Schmidt. Beyond his business leadership, John is deeply engaged in community service:

• Past Board Chair, COTS Inc. (transitional shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness)
• Board Chair, Riverview Gardens Inc. (Appleton-based urban farming social enterprise)
• Co-chair, YMCA of the Fox Cities $9.2 million capital campaign

On his philanthropic approach, John has stated the importance of giving back to the community that has supported the family's business success. His involvement spans poverty alleviation, workforce development, and community infrastructure.

Julie Schaller-Schmidt - Executive Director, Kenya Works Julie Schaller-Schmidt leads Kenya Works, a partnership providing education, nutrition, social services, and medical care for schoolchildren in Nairobi, Kenya. She holds a Master's degree in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services from the University of Washington. Her work focuses on international development and addressing issues affecting vulnerable communities, including period poverty and education access.

Foundation Philosophy: The Schmidt family's philanthropy reflects a multi-faceted approach including domestic community development in Wisconsin, international humanitarian work through Kenya Works, and environmental initiatives. Their giving emphasizes direct service organizations that provide measurable community impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, John and Julie Schmidt.

Grant recipients are typically:

• Organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships
• Nonprofits where family members serve on boards or in leadership capacities
• Organizations recommended by trusted advisors or community partners
• Established nonprofits with demonstrated track records in the Fox Valley region

No online portal, application forms, or submission guidelines are publicly available.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. However, organizations seeking to build awareness might consider:

Community Engagement: John Schmidt serves on multiple nonprofit boards in the Fox Valley region, including Riverview Gardens and formerly COTS. Julie Schaller-Schmidt's work focuses on international development through Kenya Works. Organizations working in complementary areas and demonstrating community impact may naturally come to the trustees' attention through sector networks.

U.S. Venture Connection: The Schmidt family's separate U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation (EIN 39-1540933) accepts applications through [email protected]. While these are separate foundations with independent decision-making, organizations supported by one foundation may be considered by the other based on alignment with family values.

Fox Valley Networks: Active participation in Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region initiatives, Basic Needs Giving Partnership collaborations, and regional nonprofit consortia may increase visibility with foundation trustees and their advisors.

Note: Building authentic relationships and demonstrating measurable community impact in the Fox Valley region is essential. The foundation's grant history shows preference for organizations where trustees can verify effectiveness through direct observation and community feedback.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year based on the foundation's grant-making calendar.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, making traditional success rate metrics irrelevant.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations do not apply through a formal process. Multi-year support relationships appear common based on grant patterns showing repeat recipients.

Application Success Factors

Since the John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, analysis of their grant-making patterns reveals characteristics of organizations that receive support:

Geographic Alignment: Nearly all grants support Wisconsin organizations, with heavy concentration in Appleton, Green Bay, and the Fox Valley region. Organizations outside this geographic area rarely receive funding.

Established Track Record: Grant recipients are typically well-established nonprofits with proven community impact. The foundation does not appear to fund startup organizations or pilot programs.

Direct Service Focus: Organizations providing direct services to vulnerable populations—particularly those addressing homelessness, poverty, youth development, and basic needs—align with documented funding patterns. Examples include:

• COTS (transitional shelter)
• Boys & Girls Clubs (youth development)
• Basic Needs Giving Partnership (poverty alleviation)

Board Connections: Organizations where John or Julie Schmidt serve in leadership roles or have direct personal involvement appear more likely to receive support. John's documented board service includes COTS and Riverview Gardens, both of which operate in the foundation's funding area.

Multi-Year Relationships: The foundation appears to develop ongoing relationships with grantees rather than making one-time grants to many organizations. Organizations demonstrating strong stewardship and impact reporting may receive continued support.

Alignment with Family Values: The Schmidt family's documented commitments include:

• Community development and poverty alleviation
• Education and youth opportunity
• Workforce development and economic mobility
• International humanitarian work (Julie's Kenya Works leadership)
• Environmental stewardship and urban farming (John's Riverview Gardens involvement)

Collaboration with Community Foundation: Some grants flow to organizations connected to the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, suggesting value placed on community-led collaborative initiatives like the Basic Needs Giving Partnership.

U.S. Venture Connection: Organizations supported by employees or leadership of U.S. Venture, the family's business, may have enhanced visibility with the foundation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation operating on trustee discretion. Traditional grant-seeking strategies (application submissions, LOIs, online portals) do not apply.

• Geographic Focus is Critical: Despite Delaware registration, virtually all funding supports Fox Valley region organizations. If your organization is not based in or serving Appleton, Green Bay, or surrounding Wisconsin communities, this foundation is likely not a match.

• Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: Grants flow to organizations where trustees have direct knowledge, board involvement, or trusted recommendations. Cold outreach is unlikely to result in funding.

• Complement, Don't Duplicate: The separate U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation (which does accept applications) may be a better match for organizations seeking Schmidt family support through a public process. Research both foundations to determine the best fit.

• Long-Term Perspective: The foundation's giving has grown steadily from 17 grants (2020) to 25 grants (2023), suggesting expanding philanthropic capacity. Building visibility in the Fox Valley nonprofit community may position organizations for future consideration.

• Demonstrate Community Impact: Organizations with measurable outcomes in poverty alleviation, youth development, workforce training, and community development align with documented funding patterns and the Schmidt family's broader philanthropic philosophy.

• Consider Indirect Pathways: Engagement with collaborative initiatives like the Basic Needs Giving Partnership or the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region may provide indirect visibility with foundation trustees and their philanthropic network.

References

• Instrumentl 990 Report: John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/john-and-julie-schmidt-family-foundation

• Cause IQ: John and Julie Schmidt Family Foundation Profile. Wilmington, DE. EIN: 84-3036130. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/john-and-julie-schmidt-family-foundation,843036130/

• GrantExec: John And Julie Schmidt Family Foundation. Foundation EIN 843036130. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://grantexec.com/foundations/843036130

• U.S. Venture: U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.usventure.com/giving-back/us-venture-schmidt-family-foundation/

• Insight on Business: "Everything gained" (Cover story featuring John Schmidt philanthropy). February 2024. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.insightonbusiness.com/features/coverstory/everything-gained/article_69f6f30e-d1c7-11ee-93c0-47664a5b94df.html

• BizTimes: "John Schmidt - Wisconsin 275 Most Influential Business Leaders." Accessed March 9, 2026. https://biztimes.com/john-schmidt-2-wisconsin275/

• LinkedIn: Julie Schaller-Schmidt, Executive Director, Kenya Works. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-schaller-schmidt-22b59a45

• Basic Needs Giving Partnership: About Us. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.bngpwi.org/about-us/

• U.S. Venture Open: "Basic Needs Giving Partnership awards new grants of nearly $1.25 million to end poverty." Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.usventureopen.com/newsroom/basic-needs-giving-partnership-awards-new-grants-of-nearly-1-25-million-to-end-poverty/

• Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region: Schmidt Family Foundation tagged resources. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.cffoxvalley.org/tag/schmidt-family-foundation/