Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd
The Jeffris Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Janesville, WI that supports historic preservation projects in small towns and cities across eight Midwestern states. The site documents grant programs (Jeffris Heartland Fund for advanced planning and Capital Campaign Challenge Grants for invited capital projects), provides resources and project examples, and lists contact information (P.O. Box 1160, Janesville, WI).
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small‑town or regional historic‑preservation project or community foundation running an advanced planning process or capital campaign in the Midwest, especially projects prepared for invited capital support.
Good Fit
- • A capital restoration or preservation project with an active capital campaign or advanced planning work.
- • Project located in the Midwestern states the foundation has funded (examples include Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin).
- • Evidence of project readiness, community support, and match or leveraged funding.
- • Alignment with the foundation's Heartland Fund or invited Capital Campaign Challenge programs.
- • Willingness to engage via the foundation's Inquiry process and staff-led review.
Geography
Giving is multi‑state across the Midwest, but the latest year shows heavy dollar concentration to a single state (about 92% of dollars to Ohio), so reach is regional but uneven.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded about 10–13 distinct recipients each year and reported many new recipients in 2024, indicating a broad set of independent grantees even though dollars are sometimes concentrated in a few large awards.
New Applicants
The website states unsolicited applications are not accepted and capital challenge grants are invited, which limits automatic entry, but the Inquiry process and the observed high number of new grantees in 2024 show that unfamiliar applicants can still be brought into the portfolio through the foundation's screening and director‑led review.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
