Ruth St John & John Dunham West Foundation Inc
Grantmaking foundation in Manitowoc, Wisconsin · EIN 39-6056375
- Grants itemized on the 990
- $5.3MTax year 2025
- Grants made
- 102Tax year 2025
- Total assets
- $150MLatest reported
- Latest IRS filing
- 2025Form 990 / 990-PF
Mission
WEST OF THE LAKE GARDENS WAS ESTABLISHED BY JOHN AND RUTH WEST AS THEIR PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN 1934. OVER THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS MRS. WEST DEVELOPED THE ESTATE'S SIX ACRES TO INCLUDE NUMEROUS DISPLAY GARDENS AND MANICURED LAWNS. THE GARDENS RECEIVED NATIONAL ACCLAIM IN THE 1950S AND 1960S. BEGINNING IN 1957 THE GARDENS WERE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC EACH SUMMER AND INCLUDED AN ANNUAL GARDEN WALK AND GARDEN TEA, WHICH IS NO LONGER DONE. CURRENTLY WEST OF THE LAKE GARDENS IS OPEN DAILY FORM MID-MAY (WEATHER PERMITTING) UNTIL THE AREA'S FIRST FROST. LIMITED PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON THE GROUNDS. ACCORDING TO RUTH WEST'S WISHES, THE GARDENS REMAIN OPEN FREE OF CHARGE.THE PROPERTY ALSO INCLUDES FOUR GREENHOUSES, CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN 1950 AND 1991, AN EQUIPMENT GARAGE AND MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING. VISITOR RESTROOMS WERE ADDED IN A CONVERTED GARAGE IN 2006. THE GARDENS ARE STAFFED BY THREE FULL-TIME GARDENERS AND PART-TIME SEASONAL HELP.
Giving by year
Totals by tax year, rounded to two significant figures. Years without a reported total show the sum of grants itemized on the filing.
Top recipients
| Recipient | Amount | Tax year |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Maritime Museum Inc | $540K | 2025 |
| The Haven of Manitowoc County Inc | $320K | 2025 |
| Manitowoc Public Library Foundation Inc | $230K | 2025 |
| Grow It Forward Inc | $210K | 2025 |
| Weill Center Foundation Inc | $200K | 2025 |
Amounts are rounded. The full grantee list (102 grants in 2025) is available with a free account.
Website: www.westfoundation.us
See the full profile. All grants with amounts and years, board and officers, contact details, giving patterns and your organization's fit score are available with a free GrantAuthority account.
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Source: IRS Form 990 and 990-PF filings, tax year 2025. Also see this organization on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.