The Brookby Foundation
Accepts applications
The Brookby Foundation is a private foundation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.5 million in 151 grants; the typical grant was $1,500 and the largest $500,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.5 million
- Number of grants151
- Typical grant$1,500
- Largest grant$500,000
- Assets$52.7 million
- New grantees17%
Giving in 2024 was up from $3.1 million the year before.
17% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.1 million | 144 | $49.6 million |
| 2024 | $3.5 million | 151 | $52.7 million |
How to apply
| Contact | The Brookby Foundation 1313 N Franklin Place 2002, Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (262) 478-0629 |
| What to submit | Grant requests are reviewed three (3) times each year. All grant requests shall be initiated with a letter of inquiry (LOI) using the online grant portal. A review of the loi will determine if the request aligns with our grantmaking strategies. Loi should be submitted by the dates below, in accordance with our grant cycle. Spring review is restricted to edith blodgett legacy fund requests. Only former blodgett foundation grantees are eligible to apply during the spring review cycle. New applicants are only eligible to apply during the summer and winter review cycles. Applicants may request funding once per calendar year. If loi is approved, a full application with supporting documents will be requested. Applicants will be notified if any additional information is required prior to review meeting. |
| Deadlines | Spring (before 2/15); summer (before 5/15); winter (before 9/15) |
| Restrictions | May request funding once per calendar year |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Brookby Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 23 states, the most to Michigan.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 35 | $1.1 million |
| Wisconsin | 38 | $1.1 million |
| Oregon | 8 | $706,000 |
| Illinois | 3 | $117,950 |
| New York | 18 | $92,400 |
| Colorado | 2 | $80,000 |
| Florida | 2 | $75,200 |
| Maryland | 5 | $61,000 |
| Virginia | 3 | $36,500 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $25,200 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Symphony | General support | $500,000 |
| Inland Seas Education Association | Campaign for the Future | $200,000 |
| UWM Foundation Inc | Launching the research vessel maggi sue | $200,000 |
| Grand Rapids Symphony | Blue lake concert; matching challenge; & mayflower performance | $166,423 |
| Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship | Climate-smart market opportunities, mmrv of managed grazing, workforce | $160,000 |
| All Classical Radio | Media arts center | $100,000 |
| Urban Ecology Center | Imagine Campaign | $100,000 |
| Urban Ecology Center | Imagine campaign | $90,000 |
| Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE) | General Support | $75,000 |
| Michigan Civic Education Fund | General Support | $75,000 |
| Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education | General Support | $75,000 |
| Mote Marine Laboratory | Forging ahead: resilience and restoration in a changing environment | $75,000 |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Farmland preservation project | $70,000 |
| Wisconsin Conservation Voices | General support | $70,000 |
| Environmental Law & Policy Center | Michigan-based environmental advocacy | $60,000 |
| Gathering Waters Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Tr | Bringing alternative conservation funding & financing to wisconsin | $60,000 |
| Milwaukee Riverkeeper | General support | $60,000 |
| Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University | Student and Program Support at the Peabody Conservatory | $60,000 |
| Alliance for the Great Lakes | General support | $50,000 |
| Beloit College | The Brookby Foundation Student Environmental Experience Grant | $50,000 |
| Conservation Resource Alliance | Accelerating Farmland and Water Quality Protection | $50,000 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Accelerating Farmland and Water Quality Protection in Northwest Lower Michigan | $50,000 |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | West michigan student scholarships, interlochen public radio (ipr): science and conservation journalism | $50,000 |
| Portland Japanese Garden | Path to Peace | $50,000 |
| So Percussion | Summer institute, new work development program | $50,000 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Accelerating land and water quality protection focused on natural climate solutions | $50,000 |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Palmer woods addition | $50,000 |
| DA Blodgett-St John's | Kent school services network | $45,000 |
| Camp Blodgett | FIERCE Leadership Programs | $35,000 |
| Clean Wisconsin | The scientific method: using data to mitigate climate change | $35,000 |
| Trout Unlimited | Scaling Enviro-DIY Monitoring and Engagement across the Great Lakes | $35,000 |
| Mequon Nature Preserve Inc | 3 year fellowship | $33,333 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Transformational Outdoor & Environmental Learning | $30,000 |
| Hunger Task Force Inc | Hunger task force emergency food program and COVID-19 response | $30,000 |
| Riveredge Nature Center | Release the sturgeon: youth & community watershed education programming | $30,000 |
| WUWM-Milwaukee's NPR | WUWM Environmental Reporting Initiative | $30,000 |
| Inland Seas Education Association | Campaign for the future | $30,000 |
| 45th Parallel | Capacity building | $25,000 |
| ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation | General Support | $25,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc | General Support | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Wendy Greeney
- Paul Greeney
- Daniel Greeney
- Jonathan Greeney
Questions people ask
Does The Brookby Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Spring (before 2/15); summer (before 5/15); winter (before 9/15).
How much does The Brookby Foundation give?
$3.5 million in tax year 2024, across 151 grants, with a typical grant of $1,500.
Who runs The Brookby Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Wendy Greeney (President/Secretary), Paul Greeney (Vice President/Treasurer), Daniel Greeney (Managing Director) and Jonathan Greeney (Board Trustee).
What does The Brookby Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, arts and culture and education.