Francie Luke Silverman Foundation
Appleton, WI · EIN 32-6303388. Reported 213 grants totalling $1,628,000 to 91 recipients across tax years 2023-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Francie Luke Silverman Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $4,000 and $8,000; the smallest was $2,000 and the largest $50,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross of Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $140,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc (fbbg) | Hales Comers, WI | $94,000 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement Inc (able) | Milwaukee, WI | $71,000 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $70,000 | 5 | 3 | 2025 |
| Girls Rock Camp Madison | Madison, WI | $56,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Friends of the Mitchell Gallery of Flight | Milwaukee, WI | $52,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Guardian Whiskers Inc | Madison, WI | $44,000 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| Hear Wisconsin | West Allis, WI | $44,000 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc | Hales Corners, WI | $40,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Meta House | Milwaukee, WI | $39,500 | 5 | 3 | 2025 |
| Portal Inc | Grafton, WI | $35,000 | 6 | 3 | 2025 |
| Acts Community Development Organization | Milwaukee, WI | $34,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | $33,500 | 4 | 2 | 2025 |
| Hhm - Historic Haymarket Milwaukee Co Milwaukee Public Museum | Milwaukee, WI | $33,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun | River Hills, WI | $30,000 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee Rescue Mission | Milwaukee, WI | $29,000 | 5 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wisconsin Humane Society | Milwaukee, WI | $27,500 | 5 | 3 | 2025 |
| Black Arts Mke Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $26,000 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| Beyond Vision Inc | West Allis, WI | $24,500 | 5 | 3 | 2025 |
| The Salvation Army | Wauwatosa, WI | $24,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Zoological Society of Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $24,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Core El Centro | Milwaukee, WI | $23,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Journey House Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $23,000 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| United Community Center | Milwaukee, WI | $23,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| St Lawrence Seminary a Ministry of the Province of St Joseph of the Capuch | Mt Calvary, WI | $19,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Uwm Foundation Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $18,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Versiti Blood Research Institute Foundation Inc | Wauwatosa, WI | $17,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| St Augustine Preparatory Academy | Milwaukee, WI | $16,500 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| Hhm - Historic Haymarket Milwaukee Co Mpm | Milwaukee, WI | $16,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Acts Community Development Organization (acts Housing) | Milwaukee, WI | $15,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| St Ann Center for Intergenerational Care | Milwaukee, WI | $15,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Civic Music Association of Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wisconsin Veterans Network (vetsnet) | West Allis, WI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Benedict Center | Milwaukee, WI | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Dekoven Center Inc | Racine, WI | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Lemons of Love | Plymouth, WI | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Life Navigators | Wauwatosa, WI | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association | Brookfield, WI | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Hunger Task Force Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $13,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $13,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Above the Clouds | Milwaukee, WI | $13,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Malaika Early Learning Center | Milwaukee, WI | $13,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Northcott Neighborhood House Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $13,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee County War Memorial Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $12,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Creative Community Living Services Inc | Watertown, WI | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee Women's Center Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Vision Forward Association | Milwaukee, WI | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Serving Older Adults of Southeast Wisconsin Lnc | Milwaukee, WI | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| City on a Hill | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Community Clothes Closet | Menasha, WI | $10,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Province of St Joseph of the Capuchin Order Inc | Mt Calvary, WI | $10,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Saint Augustine Preparatory Academy | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Broadscope Disability Services | Greenfield, WI | $9,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Exceptional Equestrians | De Pere, WI | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Imagine Mke Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Sojourner Foundation Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| St Lawrence Seminary a Ministry of the Province of St Joseph of the Capuc | Mt Calvary, WI | $9,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School of Wisconsin Tnc | Milwaukee, WI | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee Downtown Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Silver Spring Neighborhood Center | Milwaukee, WI | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Hometown Heroes Inc | Grafton, WI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Jewish Family Services Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Afar Dba the Ability Center | Wauwatosa, WI | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Betty Brinn Children's Museum | Milwaukee, WI | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| CASA Guadalupe Education Center Inc | West Bend, WI | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Hope Center Lnc | Waukesha, WI | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| St Francis Children's Center | Milwaukee, WI | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Grand Avenue Club Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Milwaukee Youth Theatre Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Serving Older Adults of Southeast Wisconsin Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Anthony School Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Augustine Prepatory Academy | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Chix 4 a Cause Ltd | West Bend, WI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Inc (miad) | Milwaukee, WI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Paralyzed Veterans of America Wisconsin Chapter | Milwaukee, WI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Christoper's Episcopal Church | River Hills, WI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Veterans 1ST of New Inc | Suamico, WI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Center for Deaf-Blind Persons Inc | West Allis, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rides and Reins Tec Inc | Slinger, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| West Side Arts Un Limited | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Curative Care Network Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Greater Galilee Community Development Corporation | Milwaukee, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee Robotics Academy Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Nativity Jesuit Academy | Milwaukee, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Neighborhood House of Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Riverwest Artists Association Dba Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts | Milwaukee, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Shepherds Ministries Dba Shepherds College | Union Grove, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Spina Bifida Wisconsin | Wauwatosa, WI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Prevent Blindness Wisconsin | Milwaukee, WI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
60 of 91 (66%) received money in more than one year over the 3 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 78%, across 2 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is unusually consistent. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- American Red Cross of Wisconsin
DISASTER CYCLE SERVICES IN WISCONSIN - Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc (fbbg)
CHILDREN'S PLANT SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION - Girls Rock Camp Madison
GIRLS ROCK CAMP MADISON SUMMER CAMP - Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Inc
CHILDRENS PLANT EDUCATION - St Lawrence Seminary a Ministry of the Province of St Joseph of the Capuch
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND ST. LAWRENCE SEMINARY - Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Inc
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS & FINANCIAL AID
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 124 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66 | $525,000 | $5,000 |
| 2024 | 74 | $558,000 | $5,000 |
| 2025 | 73 | $545,000 | $5,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Wisconsin.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Francie Luke Silverman Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 3913 W Prospect Ave 201, Appleton, WI, 54914. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 32-6303388 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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