Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In tax year 2025 it gave $5.3 million in 63 grants; the typical grant was $32,000 and the largest $411,343. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$5.3 million
- Number of grants63
- Typical grant$32,000
- Largest grant$411,343
- Assets$145 million
- New grantees72%
Giving in 2025 was up from $4.8 million the year before.
72% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.9 million | 186 | $107 million |
| 2024 | $4.8 million | 148 | $125 million |
| 2025 | $5.3 million | 63 | $145 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Ms Phyllis Schippers 915 Memorial Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (920) 684-6110 |
| What to submit | Written narrative describing organization and its need for funding. |
| Deadlines | None - grants are considered monthly at board meetings. |
| Restrictions | Qualifying organizations mainly in manitowoc county, wi. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Wisconsin.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 63 | $3.6 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Maritime Museum Inc | Restricted | $411,343 |
| The Haven of Manitowoc County Inc | Restricted | $300,000 |
| Manitowoc Public Library Foundation Inc | Restricted | $200,000 |
| Grow It Forward Inc | Restricted | $150,000 |
| Lakeshore First Robotics Program | Restricted | $150,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation (Foodwise) | Restricted | $150,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoological Society of Manitowoc County Inc | Restricted | $125,000 |
| Bellin College | Restricted | $120,000 |
| Manitowoc County Historical Society | Restricted | $110,000 |
| Ascend Services Inc | Restricted | $100,000 |
| City of Manitowoc on Behalf of the Friends of the Manitowoc Skatepark | Restricted | $100,000 |
| City of Two Rivers on Behalf of the Two Rivers Fire Department | Restricted | $100,000 |
| City of Two Rivers on Behalf of the Two Rivers Parks & Rec Dept | Restricted | $100,000 |
| Earl O Vits Memorial Trust DBA Camp Sinawa | Restricted | $100,000 |
| Shady Lane Home Inc | Restricted | $100,000 |
| Van Der Brohe Arboretum | Restricted | $91,500 |
| Neighborhood Network Learning Center (Southfield Townhouses) | Restricted | $70,000 |
| Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities Inc | Restricted | $60,000 |
| Grow It Forward Inc | Restricted | $59,612 |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation DBA Children's Wisconsin | Restricted | $55,863 |
| Hope House of Manitowoc County Inc | Restricted | $50,000 |
| Mishicot Area Growth & Improvement Committee Inc (Magic) | Restricted | $50,000 |
| St Mary's Home for the Aged Inc | Restricted | $50,000 |
| Two Rivers Youth Sports Inc | Restricted | $50,000 |
| The Production Farm Inc | Restricted | $45,000 |
| Western Great Lakes Bird & Bat Observatory Inc DBA Lake Michigan Bird Obser | Restricted | $40,000 |
| Manitowoc Public School District Foundation on Behalf of School Forest | Restricted | $38,415 |
| Froedtert Hospital Foundation Inc | Restricted | $35,000 |
| Lakeland University | Restricted | $35,000 |
| Lotus Recovery Homes Inc | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| St Mary's Home for the Aged Inc | Restricted | $35,000 |
| Salvation Army of Manitowoc County | Restricted | $32,000 |
| Manitowoc-Two Rivers Area YMCA | Restricted | $30,000 |
| Treehouse Theater Inc | Restricted | $27,869 |
| Above & Beyond Children's Museum | Restricted | $25,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley Inc for the Manitowoc Club | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development | Restricted | $25,000 |
| John Michael Kohler Arts Center | Restricted | $25,000 |
| City of Kiel Fire Department & Ambulance Service | Restricted | $25,000 |
| Capitol Civic Centre Inc | Restricted | $21,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Phyllis Schippers
- John Jagemann
- Bernadine Zimmer
- Amy Molepske
- Thomas J Bare
- Justin Gerlach
- Karen Rohrer
Questions people ask
Does Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: None - grants are considered monthly at board meetings..
How much does Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc give?
$5.3 million in tax year 2025, across 63 grants, with a typical grant of $32,000.
Who runs Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Phyllis Schippers (President, Chairman of the Board), John Jagemann (Vice President, Vice Chairman), Bernadine Zimmer (Treasurer) and Amy Molepske (Secretary) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and environment and conservation.