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Sonnentag Foundation Ltd is a private corporation based in MARATHON, WI. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1988. The principal officer is Carolyn Sonnentag. It holds total assets of $45.3M. Annual income is reported at $45.4M. Total assets have grown from $447K in 2010 to $38M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2019 to 2023. Funding is distributed across 5 states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri. According to available records, Sonnentag Foundation Ltd has made 3 grants totaling $9M, with a median grant of $1.2M. Annual giving has grown from $654K in 2021 to $1.2M in 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $7.1M distributed across 1 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $654K to $7.1M, with an average award of $3M. Grant recipients are concentrated in Wisconsin. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Sonnentag American Foundation is a corporate family foundation deeply tied to County Materials Corporation, one of the largest concrete products manufacturers in the United States. Understanding this connection is critical for any applicant: the foundation's geographic focus maps directly onto County Materials' facility locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Florida.
To align with the Sonnentag Foundation, applicants must demonstrate clear impact in one of four priority areas: Hunger & Homelessness Support, Service Member & Veteran Support, Sexual Abuse & Domestic Assault Services, or Mentoring & Skills Building. The foundation's theory of change centers on empowering individuals and building stronger communities in the specific towns where County Materials employees live and work. This is not a national funder — it is a hyper-local one with a multi-state footprint.
The Board evaluates each request based on alignment with key interest areas, geographic emphasis, and exclusion criteria. Proposals that demonstrate direct community impact in a County Materials facility town — and that name the specific community being served — will resonate most strongly. Generic proposals or those focused on excluded areas (capital campaigns, health care, political organizations) will not be considered regardless of merit.
The Sonnentag Foundation operates at a moderate scale with typical awards ranging from $25 to $100,000. With total assets of approximately $45.3 million (EIN: 39-1597420) and recorded giving of over $1.1 million in program disbursements, the foundation maintains a consistent grantmaking pace.
The foundation's giving is distributed across its four pillars, with notable investment in veteran services — supporting organizations like Camp Hope, Custom Canines Service Dog Academy, Operation Homefront, SoldierStrong, Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, and Wounded Warriors United of Wisconsin. In 2024 alone, the foundation funded 10+ veteran-focused initiatives.
Geographically, grants concentrate in Wisconsin (Marathon, Wausau, Madison, Gleason, Rock County), with secondary presence in Missouri (Farmington), Indiana (Indianapolis), Illinois (Chicago), and Florida (Leesburg, Lake and Sumter Counties). This geographic footprint mirrors County Materials' manufacturing facilities. The foundation also operates a scholarship program targeting high school graduates pursuing Manufacturing, Construction, Engineering, Business, and Skilled Trades careers.
The Sonnentag Foundation operates in the mid-tier of Wisconsin-based corporate family foundations. Here is how it compares to similar funders in the region:
| Foundation | Assets | Typical Grant | Focus Areas | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonnentag Foundation | $45.3M | $25–$100K | Veterans, hunger, domestic violence, mentoring | WI, IL, IN, MO, FL |
| Cornerstone Foundation (WI) | $50M+ | $10K–$200K | Education, community development | Wisconsin |
| Dudley Foundation | $40M | $5K–$50K | Education, human services | Wisconsin |
| Community Foundation of North Central WI | $100M+ | $1K–$50K | Broad community needs | North Central WI |
| Marshfield Area Community Foundation | $45M | $1K–$25K | Education, health, arts | Marshfield area, WI |
The Sonnentag Foundation distinguishes itself through its tight corporate alignment with County Materials and its unusually specific four-pillar focus. While most peer foundations cast wider nets across education, arts, and health, Sonnentag's exclusion of health care and capital campaigns narrows its aperture but deepens impact within its chosen domains. Its veteran services pillar is notably stronger than most regional peers, reflecting the Sonnentag family's personal commitment to military service support.
The Sonnentag American Foundation has maintained steady grantmaking activity through 2024 and into 2025-2026. The foundation's website (sonnentagamericanfoundation.org) was last updated in October 2024, indicating active maintenance. Key recent developments include:
The foundation's veteran support portfolio expanded in 2024 with grants to organizations spanning multiple states, including Camp Hope retreat programming for wounded veterans, Custom Canines Service Dog Academy for canine-veteran matching in Wisconsin, Easterseals Crossroads for military family reintegration in Indiana, and SoldierStrong for rehabilitation technology. The foundation also supports memorial-building projects recognizing military service.
County Materials Corporation, the foundation's corporate sponsor, continues to operate facilities across the Midwest and Southeast, maintaining the geographic framework for the foundation's giving. The scholarship program continues to target students entering manufacturing, construction, engineering, business, and skilled trades — reflecting the family's commitment to the workforce pipeline that supports their core business.
Leadership remains family-driven with Rebecca Sonnentag as President, Timothy Sonnentag as Vice President, Cameron Sonnentag as Secretary, and Shane Sonnentag as Treasurer.
Applicants to the Sonnentag Foundation should follow these practical strategies to strengthen their proposals:
1. Lead with geographic alignment. Name the specific County Materials facility town your organization serves. The foundation's entire giving philosophy revolves around communities where their employees live and work. If you serve Marathon, Wausau, Farmington (MO), Indianapolis, Chicago, or Leesburg (FL), say so explicitly in your first paragraph.
2. Map your work to one of the four pillars. The foundation only funds organizations in Hunger & Homelessness Support, Service Member & Veteran Support, Sexual Abuse & Domestic Assault Services, or Mentoring & Skills Building. If your organization's work spans multiple areas, focus your proposal on the single pillar where your impact is strongest.
3. Avoid excluded categories entirely. Do not submit proposals for capital campaigns, health-related causes, health care programs, political organizations, or for-profit business needs. These are hard exclusions, not negotiable.
4. Use the online Donation Request form. The foundation uses a web-based form at sonnentagamericanfoundation.org/grant-request/ rather than accepting unsolicited proposals by mail. Complete the form thoroughly — the Board reviews each submission.
5. Demonstrate direct individual impact. The foundation's mission emphasizes empowering and inspiring people. Quantify how many individuals your program serves and describe specific outcomes rather than abstract goals. Programs that can show measurable transformation in participants' lives will align with the foundation's values.
6. Right-size your ask. Typical grants range from $25 to $100,000. For first-time applicants, a request in the $5,000–$25,000 range demonstrates understanding of the foundation's scale. Organizations with proven track records can request up to $100,000.
7. Highlight community partnerships. The foundation values organizations that collaborate with other local service providers. Mentioning partnerships with local nonprofits, schools, or government agencies in your target community strengthens your proposal.
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Disbursements for scholarships and charities
Expenses: $1.2M
Partnerships with organizations providing food security, shelter, and housing assistance in communities where County Materials operates.
Expanding community resources to improve the lives of service members, veterans, wounded heroes, and their families. Includes support for organizations like Camp Hope, Custom Canines Service Dog Academy, Operation Homefront, SoldierStrong, and Patriot K9s of Wisconsin.
Supporting organizations that provide services to survivors of sexual abuse and domestic assault in communities served by the foundation.
Programs and projects targeting children, youth, and adults that develop competencies and provide guidance, with a focus on communities where County Materials has operations.
Scholarships for high school graduates pursuing higher education including vocational/technical training and associate/bachelor degrees, with preference for Manufacturing, Construction, Engineering, Business, and Skilled Trades careers.
The Sonnentag Foundation operates at a moderate scale with typical awards ranging from $25 to $100,000. With total assets of approximately $45.3 million (EIN: 39-1597420) and recorded giving of over $1.1 million in program disbursements, the foundation maintains a consistent grantmaking pace. The foundation's giving is distributed across its four pillars, with notable investment in veteran services — supporting organizations like Camp Hope, Custom Canines Service Dog Academy, Operation Homefront.
Sonnentag Foundation Ltd has distributed a total of $9M across 3 grants. The median grant size is $1.2M, with an average of $3M. Individual grants have ranged from $654K to $7.1M.
The Sonnentag American Foundation is a corporate family foundation deeply tied to County Materials Corporation, one of the largest concrete products manufacturers in the United States. Understanding this connection is critical for any applicant: the foundation's geographic focus maps directly onto County Materials' facility locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Florida. To align with the Sonnentag Foundation, applicants must demonstrate clear impact in one of four priority.
Sonnentag Foundation Ltd is headquartered in MARATHON, WI. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Sonnentag | DIRECTOR PART TIME | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Carolyn Sonnentag | VICE PRESIDENT PART TIME | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| John Sonnentag | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$1.2M
Total Assets
$38M
Fair Market Value
$38.9M
Net Worth
$38M
Grants Paid
$1.2M
Contributions
$26K
Net Investment Income
$6.5M
Distribution Amount
$1.6M
Total Grants
3
Total Giving
$9M
Average Grant
$3M
Median Grant
$1.2M
Unique Recipients
1
Most Common Grant
$1.2M
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All - See AttachedCHARITABLE DONATIONS | Marathon, WI | $1.2M | 2023 |