The Wisconsin State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 71-0985492

James E Dutton Foundation Inc

A private foundation in Merrill, WI. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 35 grants and $184,459 paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
James E Dutton Foundation
6655 Rainbow Dr
Merrill, WI 54452
(414) 640-0523
[email protected]
Form and materials
There is no formal application form. Grant requests should include 1) description of organization and its mission, 2) description of project/program for which a grant is being requested, and 3) grant budget and time schedule. Grants may extend over two years or more dependent on the request.
Deadlines
None
Restrictions
Projects/programs that benefit wildlife, animal causes, environmental preservation and outdoors education. Once a grant is awarded grantees will be required to provide additional information about their organization and to file a grant report on the results achieved through the grant.

Assets and giving by year

6 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $184,459

    Grants listed
    35
    Assets, end of year
    $2,701,473
  • Tax year 2024

    $164,190

    Grants listed
    28
    Assets, end of year
    $2,737,705
  • Tax year 2023

    $145,857

    Grants listed
    34
    Assets, end of year
    $2,646,502
  • Tax year 2022

    $139,800

    Grants listed
    29
    Assets, end of year
    $2,847,738
  • Tax year 2021

    $145,550

    Grants listed
    22
    Assets, end of year
    $2,988,647
  • Tax year 2020

    $127,500

    Grants listed
    24
    Assets, end of year
    $2,918,584

Grants paid in 2025

35 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Pineview Wildlife Rehabilitation CenterFredonia, WI

    Construction of a New Reptile Enclosure

    $12,500
  2. Driftless Area Land Conservancy IncDodgeville, WI

    Restoration of Spring Valley Wetland Complex

    $10,000
  3. Friends of the Cedarburg Bog IncSaukville, WI

    Curbing the Spread of Invasive Buckthorn to Protect Wildlife Habitat

    $10,000
  4. Raptor Education Group IncAntigo, WI

    Education Vehicle

    $10,000
  5. Urban Ecology CenterMilwaukee, WI

    Research and Community Services

    $10,000
  6. Wisconsin Humane SocietyMilwaukee, WI

    Pets for Life Program and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

    $10,000
  7. Rock River CoalitionJefferson, WI

    Collaboration with Small Watershed and Producer-led Groups

    $8,778
  8. Carroll UniversityWaukesha, WI

    Animal Behavior Program

    $7,500
  9. Lake Michigan Bird ObservatoryPRT Washingtn, WI

    Every Tree Counts: Improving Green Space for Birds and People

    $7,068
  10. Friends of Wisconsin Camp TapawingoMishicot, WI

    Naturalist Intern and Development of Long-term Sustainable Program

    $7,000
  11. Wisconsin Assn for Environmental EducationMilwaukee, WI

    Healthier, Happier, Smarter Project

    $6,500
  12. Van der Brohe Arboretum and Bird SanctuaryNewton, WI

    Bird Gardens

    $6,465
  13. Adaptive SportsmenMilwaukee, WI

    Adaptive Equipment

    $5,000
  14. American Bird ConservancyMarshall, VA

    Forestry for Wisconsin Birds Program

    $5,000
  15. Lakeshore Humane SocietyManitowoc, WI

    Shelter Security System

    $5,000
  16. Riveredge Nature CenterNewburg, WI

    Bird Banding Program

    $5,000
  17. Trees for TomorrowEagle River, WI

    Exploring the Science of Nature Project

    $5,000
  18. University of Wisconsin Green Bay FoundationGreen Bay, WI

    Wetland and Trail Enhancements

    $4,900
  19. Northwoods Humane SocietyHayward, WI

    Guillotine Doors for Isolation Kennels

    $4,598
  20. Kettle Moraine Land TrustElkhorn, WI

    Jackson Creek Restoration Project

    $4,300
  21. Feline Canine FriendsWestfield, WI

    Trap-Neuter-Release Program

    $4,200
  22. Adaptive Community Approach ProgramWaukesha, WI

    Wisconsin Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

    $4,150
  23. Grant County Humane SocietyLancaster, WI

    Surgical Table & Sink

    $4,000
  24. Marshfield Area Pet ShelterMarshfield, WI

    Spay/Neuter Surgeries, Vaccinations & Microchips

    $3,500
  25. Dayton Community Connection IncKing, WI

    Lyman Dayton Trail Restoration

    $3,000
  26. For the Love of Poodles and PoochesRockville, VA

    Dog Rescue Program

    $3,000
  27. Ruff Start RescuePrinceton, MN

    Support Mission to Provide Refuge and Rehabilitation

    $3,000
  28. Humane Society of Portage CountyPlover, WI

    Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program

    $2,500
  29. Lincoln County Humane SocietyMerrill, WI

    Trap-Neuter-Release Program

    $2,500
  30. Lake County Clean WatersPewaukee, WI

    Healthy Lakes 2025 Conference

    $2,000
  31. Northern Neck Partners for PetsIrvington, VA

    Animal Welfare

    $2,000
  32. Sonoma Valley Mentoring AllianceSonoma, CA

    Outdoor Programs

    $2,000
  33. The Surfrider FoundationSan Clemente, CA

    Clean Water Testing

    $2,000
  34. Chippewa Valley Wildlife RehabilitationEau Claire, WI

    New Waterfowl Enclosure

    $1,000
  35. Sonoma Ecology CenterEldridge, CA

    Sonoma Overlook Trail Renovation

    $1,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Animals12 grants $63,59842% of the total
  2. Environment9 grants $56,07837% of the total
  3. Education3 grants $14,4009% of the total
  4. Human services2 grants $9,1506% of the total
  5. Sports and recreation1 grant $7,0005% of the total
  6. Community development1 grant $3,0002% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Wisconsin28 grants $166,459
  2. Virginia3 grants $10,000
  3. California3 grants $5,000
  4. Minnesota1 grant $3,000

Officers, directors and trustees

3 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Dean W FenskePresident/Treas Hours 7Pay $44,000
  • John DuttonVice President Hours 1Pay $8,800
  • J Lewis PerlsonSecretary Hours 1Pay $13,200

The return

More foundations

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Same main cause (animals), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

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  2. Donald E Weig Charitable Foundation IncMadison, WI 2 grants Preselected only $225,000 giving
  3. Burnstad Family Foundation IncMadison, WI 15 grants Preselected only $150,500 giving
  4. Hugh C Becker Foundation IncGrantsburg, WI 2 grants Preselected only $150,000 giving
  5. Earl and Eugenia Quirk Foundation IncOconomowoc, WI 11 grants Preselected only $235,395 giving