Canary Fund, Inc.

The Canary Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2019 and officially recognized as a nonprofit in 2021. Its mission is centered around supporting change-makers in Northeast Wisconsin by providing seed grants to help advance early-stage community projects and initiatives.

Mission and Activities

The Canary Fund focuses on funding visionaries and activists who address unmet needs within their communities. By offering seed grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, the organization aims to support individuals and groups that are not yet registered as formal entities, providing them with crucial financial backing to leverage additional funding and elevate their impact.

This approach often leads to a multiplier effect, as recipients use these initial grants to gather more resources, expanding their projects' reach and influence. The grants serve as recognition of the valuable work being done by these local change-makers.

Supported Initiatives

The Canary Fund supports a diverse range of projects and organizations in Northeast Wisconsin. These include initiatives focused on education, youth development, and community welfare, such as programs targeting English language learners, youth mentoring, and adaptive riding for individuals with special needs.

Financial Overview

The organization relies primarily on contributions for its revenue. As of the most recent available financial data, contributions comprised 100% of its total revenue. The organization maintains a lean operational structure with minimal administrative costs, prioritizing the allocation of funds toward grant programs.

Governance and Leadership

The Canary Fund is led by key figures, including Don Listwin as the founder and CEO. Other notable leadership roles include positions held by Heidi Auman, Kevin Kennedy, Michael Ball, Dale Jantzen, and Hilary Valentine. Despite their significant roles, key officers do not receive compensation, reflecting the organization's focus on community support over administrative costs.

The Canary Fund is part of the Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Grantmaking Foundations/Public Foundations category, as classified by the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE). Donations to the organization are tax deductible, encouraging community and public support for its mission.

[1] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/651230251 [2] https://www.thecanaryfund.org/what-we-do [3] https://www.thecanaryfund.org [4] https://www.thecanaryfund.org/isthisyou [5] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/85-3058941