Ruth St John & John Dunham West
The Ruth St. John & John Dunham West Foundation (West Foundation) is a private foundation based in Manitowoc, WI. The official site describes the foundation, its West of the Lake Gardens, grantmaking policy, provides a downloadable grant application PDF, and posts recent financial reports.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A local or regional nonprofit (often based in Manitowoc County or elsewhere in Wisconsin) seeking project- or program-specific funding and able to submit a concise written narrative and local impact details.
Good Fit
- • Organization is located in Manitowoc County or elsewhere in Wisconsin.
- • Request is for a restricted project or program rather than broad national work.
- • Can provide a clear written narrative and budget for board review.
- • Work aligns with observed priorities (education, community services, health/dementia support, museums/historical preservation, animal welfare).
- • Able to engage with a monthly board-review cadence and local stewardship expectations.
Geography
Observed giving is entirely within Wisconsin and the foundation states qualifying organizations are mainly in Manitowoc County, so the footprint is locally concentrated.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows about 105 distinct recipients and 148 grants, with similar distinct-recipient counts across the three observed years, indicating a broad and varied local recipient set.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness is strong: the foundation posts an application PDF and accepted 69 new recipients in the latest year; combined with a named contact and monthly review cadence, unfamiliar local applicants appear likely to enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
