The El& Bg Lightfoot Foundation

Open & Accessible
Private Foundation
MILWAUKEE, WisconsinMediumEIN: 820454166
Education NonprofitsHuman ServicesAffordable Housing InitiativesCommunity Service ClubsDisaster Response Teams

The El BG Lightfoot Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting educational initiatives, primarily through scholarships for various universities and colleges. It also provides grants to organizations focused on human services, including those addressing homelessness, domestic violence, and family advocacy. The foundation demonstrates a commitment to community engagement by funding community service organizations and disaster response efforts, as well as supporting environmental conservation initiatives. While it primarily serves residents of eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, its funding extends to a variety of causes that align with its mission of enhancing education and community welfare.

Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026

Ideal Applicant

A college, scholarship administrator, or local human-services/housing/environment nonprofit serving students or residents of Eastern Oregon or Southern Idaho that can submit a letter-based application and meet the stated deadlines.

Good Fit

  • Programs focused on scholarships, student support, or college partnerships
  • Direct service or housing/environment projects benefiting Eastern Oregon or Southern Idaho residents
  • Ability to submit a concise mailed letter requesting the application
  • Capacity to demonstrate local impact and residency eligibility
  • Willingness to meet April 15 (scholarships) or December 1 (non-scholarship) deadlines

Geography

Restrictive

Observed giving is heavily concentrated in Idaho (about 89% of dollars in the latest year), though small grants reached other states; the practical footprint is state-focused/local.

Recipient Variety

Broad

The latest year shows roughly 120 grants to 112 distinct recipients with many small awards and a high number of new grantees, and prior years show similarly broad recipient counts—indicating a wide and diverse recipient set for the foundation's size.

New Applicants

Broad

Direct evidence of new entrants exists (79 new recipients in 2024 and 65 in 2023), and the foundation publishes deadlines plus a clear letter-based route to request an application, so unfamiliar applicants appear likely to be able to enter the portfolio.

Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026