Coles Family Foundation Company Peter Coles
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable causes. Its mission is inferred from its funding patterns, which emphasize environmental conservation, historical preservation, and community service. The foundation provides operational support to a range of nonprofits, including land trusts, arts organizations, and community service clubs. It primarily serves organizations in Wisconsin, reflecting a strong commitment to local initiatives.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-midsize Wisconsin nonprofit (especially Milwaukee-area) working in conservation, historic preservation, arts, or local community service, seeking modest operating support and with established local credibility or introductions.
Good Fit
- • Located in Wisconsin with demonstrated local impact or partnerships
- • Mission aligns with conservation, historic preservation, arts/culture, or community service
- • Requests in the small-grant range (roughly $500–$25,000, median around $2,500)
- • An existing relationship, referral, or prior contact with trustees or current grantees
- • Track record of stable operations and clear use of funds for organizational support
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Wisconsin, with about 96% of dollars directed there in the latest year and grants observed across only two states overall.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 17 distinct independent recipients across conservation, historic preservation, arts, and community service, with a mix of repeat and new grantees, indicating a broad recipient set for a micro private foundation.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new entrants exists (five new grantees in the latest year), but the foundation explicitly funds only preselected applicants and no public submission route or contact details were found, so unfamiliar organizations are unlikely to enter the portfolio without invitation or an introduction.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
