Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc
The Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in 2003 in Wisconsin by Charles E. ("Chuck") Benidt, a Milwaukee-area entrepreneur who built a supermarket chain and real estate company. The foundation is headquartered in Elm Grove, Wisconsin and operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The foundation is committed to continuing charitable support aligned with the Christian values that guided Charles E. Benidt during his lifetime.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.6M
-68.7% YoY
Grant Count
27
-10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$97K
-65.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to continue the support of charities that espouse the Christian values and concepts that Charles E. Benidt followed during his lifetime. Funds are to be used exclusively for established charitable and educational organizations.
Primary funding priorities include:
- Education — particularly for disadvantaged people
- Christian Organizations — organizations aligned with Christian values and mission
- Social Services — after-school programs and community support services
- Medical Research — particularly through the Mayo Clinic for heart disease and cancer research
- Shelters for Abused Women and Children — providing safe housing and services for domestic violence survivors
- Lutheran Causes — Lutheran missionaries via LCMS and Lutheran pastor training
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$2,000 to $5,000,000
Average Grant
$277,900
Review Cycle
May 1st and September 1st
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on:
- Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties)
- Phoenix, Arizona
- International giving
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $65.9 million
- Total revenues: $9.53 million
- Total expenses: $9.0 million
- Total liabilities: $0
- Giving rate: 11.8% of assets
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $69.2 million
- Total giving: $2.6 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
137 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Medical College of Wi ($500,000), Meta House ($500,000), Sojourner Family Peace Center ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AUDIO & BRAIL LITERACY ENHANCEMENT MILWAUKEE WI, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| CONCORDIA SEMINARY ADOPT A STUDENT ST LOUIS MO, MO | SCHOLARSHIPS | $80,000 |
| EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY WASHINGTON DC, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FEEDING AMERICA MILWAUKEE WI, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| JOURNEY HOUSE MILWAUKEE WI, WI | GENERAL OPERATING & CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM | $200,000 |
| LCMS WORLD MISSIONS ST LOUIS MO, MO | MISSIONARY SUPPORT | $120,000 |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WI MILWAUKEE WI, WI | PATHWAYS PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WI MILWAUKEE WI, WI | SCHOLARSHIPS RURAL CAMPUSES | $500,000 |
| META HOUSE MILWAUKEE WI, WI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| META HOUSE MILWAUKEE WI, WI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NANCY M BONNIWELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | $13,000 |
| JAMES L MOHR | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | $13,000 |
| MARK MILLER | TREASURER | 0.5 | $13,000 |
| SHOBHA WARREN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | $12,000 |
| AMANDA HIATT | PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 20 | $41,444 |
| JERRY WICK | DIRECTOR | 0.3 | $13,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to continue the support of charities that espouse the Christian values and concepts that Charles E. Benidt followed during his lifetime. Funds are to be used exclusively for established charitable and educational organizations. Primary funding priorities include: • **Education** — particularly for disadvantaged people • **Christian Organizations** — organizations aligned with Christian values and mission • **Social Services** — after-school programs and community sup…
How do I apply for a grant from Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately $7.7-7.8 million • Number of grants: 28 annually • Grant range: $2,000 to $5,000,000 • Median grant: $55,000 • Average grant: $277,900 **Application Process:** • Does not accept unsolicited applications (invite only) • Application deadlines: May 1st and September 1st **Recent Grants (2023):** • Sojourner Family Peace Center (SFPC): $5,000,000 (Endowment) • Desert Foothills Lutheran Church: $650,000 (Capital Campaign) • Meta House: $500,000 (Cap…
Where does Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation focuses on: • Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties) • Phoenix, Arizona • International giving
What size grants does Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc awarded 27 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $97K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc's EIN?
Charles E Benidt Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4522803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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