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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION

EIN 39-0743975 MADISON, WI

Revenue 2024
$680,868,045
Expenses 2024
$658,424,352

Program services were 88.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
B110
Classification
1000
Street
1848 UNIVERSITY AVE

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF AND ADVANCE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON BY ENCOURAGING THE INTEREST, ENGAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF ALUMNI, DONORS, AND FRIENDS IN THE LIFE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND WITH EACH OTHER.

Activities or mission (Part I)

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION AIDS UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON BY SOLICITING GIFTS & BEQUESTS, ADMINISTERS & INVESTS SECURITIES & PROPERTIES, & DISTRIBUTES PAYMENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON.

  • CAPITAL ADDITIONS AND FACILITIES - THE UW FOUNDATION PROVIDED $197 MILLION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN SUPPORT OF NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS. STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES HELP THE UNIVERSITY ATTRACT HIGH-CALIBER FACULTY AND STUDENTS. THESE FACILITIES AND GROUNDS PROVIDE SPACE, ENVIRONMENTS, AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROMOTE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND RESEARCH.

    Expenses $196,895,770 · Grants $196,895,770

  • DISCRETIONARY SUPPORT - THE UW FOUNDATION PROVIDES CRITICAL FUNDING TO SENIOR UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS GRANTING THEM THE NEEDED FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO BOTH EXISTING AND UNFORESEEN OPPORTUNITIES. THIS DISCRETIONARY SUPPORT HELPS FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY BY FULFILLING THE GREATEST NEEDS AND TOP PRIORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY.

    Expenses $125,029,315 · Grants $125,029,315

  • FACULTY SUPPORT AND RESEARCH - WITH $95 MILLION FROM THE UW FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FACULTY AND STAFF RECEIVED CRITICAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT ALLOWING FOR INCREASED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND IMPROVED CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS. PRIVATE GIFT SUPPORT HELPS THE UNIVERSITY ATTRACT AND RETAIN WORLD-CLASS FACULTY, WHICH ULTIMATELY ATTRACTS THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST STUDENTS, AND IMPROVES THE UNIVERSITY'S REPUTATION AS A LEADING UNIVERSITY. AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE NUMBER OF ENDOWED FUNDS SUPPORTING FACULTY TOTALED 765 WITH AN ADDITIONAL 339 FUNDS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR RESEARCH AND RESEARCH EQUIPMENT.

    Expenses $94,853,881 · Grants $94,853,881

  • ACADEMIC, PATIENT, AND STUDENT PROGRAM SUPPORT - THE UW FOUNDATION PROVIDED $73 MILLION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN TO SUPPORT ITS ACADEMIC, PATIENT, AND STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS. THESE FUNDS ENABLE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR GROWTH AND SUCCESS BY OFFERING HIGH-QUALITY AND RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS BY EMPLOYING BEST PRACTICES IN TEACHING, LEARNING, AND PATIENT CARE, INFLUENCING PEOPLE'S LIVES BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CLASSROOM.

    Expenses $73,120,316 · Grants $73,120,316

  • STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID SUPPORT - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS RECEIVED $59 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS FROM PRIVATE GIFT SUPPORT. STUDENTS ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, CENTERS, AND PROGRAMS OF THE UNIVERSITY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE SUPPORT. PRIVATE GIFT SUPPORT IS CRITICAL TO ENSURING ALL STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO EXPLORE THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, EXPERIENCE COLLEGE LIFE, AND MANAGE TUITION COSTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, UW FOUNDATION MANAGED OVER 4,900 GIFT FUNDS THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT TO UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STUDENTS.

    Expenses $58,852,497 · Grants $58,852,497

  • INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT - THE UW FOUNDATION INVESTMENTS TEAM WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH AN APPOINTED INVESTMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHILE HELPING TO BOTH CREATE AND MANAGE TO A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTMENT POLICY STATEMENT, TO BUILD POOLED PORTFOLIOS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE STATED OBJECTIVES, AND TO HELP POSITION BOARD-DRIVEN POLICIES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE FOUNDATION'S OPERATIONAL BUSINESS MODEL.

    Expenses $35,906,630

  • PUBLICATIONS - "ON WISCONSIN" IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, MAILED TO APPROXIMATELY 400,000 ALUMNI, FACULTY, DONORS, WAA MEMBERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, SERVING AS THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN ALUMNI MAGAZINE. "AWARDS" IS AN ANNUAL PUBLICATION, MAILED TO APPROXIMATELY 90,000 ALUMNI, WAA MEMBERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. "BADGER INSIDER" IS SENT TO WAA MEMBERS ONLY (APPROXIMATELY 25,000 HOUSEHOLDS) SEMIANNUALLY, SERVING AS THE MEMBER FORUM. "DIGITAL BADGER INSIDER", AN EMAIL COMPANION TO THE BADGER INSIDER MAGAZINE IS SENT MONTHLY TO APPROXIMATELY 16,000 WAA MEMBERS VIA EMAIL. "FLAMINGLE" IS A WEEKLY EMAIL, SENT TO APPROXIMATELY 80,000 ALUMNI, CONTAINING VARIOUS ARTICLES OF INTEREST. "BADGER VIBES" IS A MONTHLY EMAIL SENT TO APPROXIMATELY 48,000 WAA MEMBERS AND ALUMNI OF COLOR. "THE UW NOW WEEKLY" IS A WEEKLY EMAIL, SENT TO APPROXIMATELY 130,000 ALUMNI AND DONORS.

    Revenue $1,163,609

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • MICHAEL M KNETTER

    CEO (UNTIL 12/31/24)

    Total calculated
    $955,787
    From this org
    $820,496
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $135,291
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $635,852
    Bonus
    $174,466
    Other
    $10,178
    Deferred
    $121,520
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,771
    Filer's total
    $955,787

  • ALISA A ROBERTSON

    PRESIDENT/CEO (AS OF 1/1/25)

    Total calculated
    $598,520
    From this org
    $537,702
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,818
    Hours/week
    55

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $401,412
    Bonus
    $114,342
    Other
    $21,948
    Deferred
    $40,120
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,698
    Filer's total
    $598,520

  • PAUL S SHAIN

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LOUIS A HOLLAND

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LINDA L AHLERS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • RAJIV BATRA

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MICHELLE A BEHNKE

    DIRECTOR (UNTIL 6/30/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SUSAN J CELLMER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SUZANNE N DEWOLF

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JEFFREY J DIERMEIER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SONNET C EDMONDS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SUSAN S ENGELEITER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MICHAEL B FERDMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • COLLEEN A GOGGINS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • ELIZABETH M QUADRACCI HARNED

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • ELZIE L HIGGINBOTTOM

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • WILLIAM P HSU

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • CYNTHIA A IHLENFELD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • PETER S KIES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • VALARIE KING-BAILEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JUN W LEE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • ROGER M MANSUKHANI

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • ALICE D MORTENSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LORNA E NAGLER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DAVID O NICHOLAS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $680,868,045
    Expenses
    $658,424,352
    Contributions
    $347,553,672
    Grants paid
    $548,751,779
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $776,771,718
    Expenses
    $564,023,383
    Contributions
    $474,785,518
    Grants paid
    $456,253,257
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $490,458,457
    Expenses
    $435,563,925
    Contributions
    $351,294,100
    Grants paid
    $339,979,657

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2023 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2022 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2022 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,306,102,571
    Expenses
    $379,636,732
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,965,210,272

  • 2021 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2021 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $739,045,115
    Expenses
    $391,682,705
    Assets (EOY)
    $5,692,461,410

  • 2020 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $528,921,791
    Expenses
    $314,138,927
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,431,877,103

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $563,594,697
    Expenses
    $339,317,810
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,366,316,830

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Form 990-N e-Postcard, tax year 2018

Tax period
1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019
Principal officer
Sarah Laborde
Mailing address
975 University AveMadison WI 53706

As filed, from the IRS e-Postcard file of 19 October 2026. The IRS publishes only each organization's most recent postcard, so earlier years are not shown. A 990-N carries no financial detail. The postcard also gives the principal officer's address, which is not shown here.

Grants made

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2024 return

Declared as related by

Taxable family

From Schedule R Parts I, III and IV: entities that legally are the filer, and taxable partnerships, corporations and trusts it is related to. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money.

Related corporations and trusts on its 2024 return

  • POOLED INCOME FUND B - 2 PARTICIPANTS

    POOLED FUND · WI · controlled entity

  • POOLED INCOME FUND A - 3 PARTICIPANTS

    POOLED FUND · WI · controlled entity

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST - 86

    T · TRUST · WI · controlled entity

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER ANNUITY TRUST - 9

    T · TRUST · WI · controlled entity

California fundraising campaigns

Campaigns run by paid fundraisers, commercial coventurers and thrift stores naming this organization, as California published them. Both figures are as filed, and what the first one counts depends on the campaign type — a coventurer or a thrift store files its own sales rather than money collected for the charity. The 990 reports this only as a yearly total, never per campaign.

  • LFR LLC

    $149,613 raised

    2024 Commercial Fundraiser

    -$250,336 to charity

  • LFR LLC

    $435,483 raised

    2023 Commercial Fundraiser

    $169,676 to charity

  • LFR LLC

    $0 raised

    2022 Commercial Fundraiser

    $0 to charity

Amounts are as filed and do not add up: a commercial coventurer reports one promotion's whole gross once for each charity that shared in it. A campaign may also name more than one registered charity, in which case it appears on each.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.