Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Minnesota
913 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Minnesota, holding $26B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 26 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret a Cargill Foundationsince 2014 | Eden Prairie, MN | $147M312 grants · 2024 | $250K | Preselected only | $3.3B |
| McKnight Foundationsince 1994 | Minneapolis, MN | $146M790 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $2.7B |
| Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundationsince 1961 | Bayport, MN | $73M290 grants · 2025 | $75K | Yes | $1.5B |
| Otto Bremer Trustsince 1949 | Saint Paul, MN | $57M180 grants · 2025 | $150K | Yes | $1.7B |
| Bush Foundationsince 1972 | St Paul, MN | $54M148 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $1.4B |
| United Health Foundationsince 1999 | Eden Prairie, MN | $50M57 grants · 2024 | $250K | Preselected only | $80M |
| The Richard M Schulze Family Foundationsince 2014 | Minneapolis, MN | $48M1,431 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $218M |
| Ghr Foundationsince 2013 | Minneapolis, MN | $36M155 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $1.1B |
| Baustert Family Foundationsince 2015 | Minneapolis, MN | $28M31 grants · 2025 | $63K | Preselected only | $162M |
| Target Foundationsince 1928 | Minneapolis, MN | $23M125 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $74M |
| Manitou Fundsince 1966 | Saint Paul, MN | $20M164 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $778M |
| Goodman Family Operating Foundationsince 2018 | Chaska, MN | $19M22 grants · 2025 | $8,500 | Preselected only | $348M |
| G O Forward Charitable Trsince 2014 | Saint Paul, MN | $19M18 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $303M |
| Northwest Area Foundationsince 1947 | Saint Paul, MN | $18M149 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $548M |
| Best Buy Foundationsince 1995 | Richfield, MN | $18M1 grants · 2024 | $18M | Yes | $59M |
| Charles K Blandin Foundationsince 1944 | Grand Rapids, MN | $16M931 grants · 2024 | $2,900 | Yes | $506M |
| Kaena Foundationsince 2014 | Minneapolis, MN | $14M1 grants · 2024 | $14M | Preselected only | $95M |
| Pohlad Family Foundationsince 1994 | Minneapolis, MN | $14M373 grants · 2024 | $625 | Yes | $76M |
| Schoeneckers Foundationsince 1980 | Minneapolis, MN | $14M1 grants · 2024 | $14M | Preselected only | $110M |
| Bentson Foundationsince 1958 | Wayzata, MN | $14M37 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $106M |
| Cargill Foundationsince 1954 | Minneapolis, MN | $13M95 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $307M |
| Hugh J Andersen Foundationsince 1964 | Bayport, MN | $11M268 grants · 2025 | $30K | Yes | $278M |
| Wilson Foundationsince 2021 | Saint Paul, MN | $11M20 grants · 2024 | $155K | Preselected only | $88M |
| Guilder Foundationsince 2013 | Minneapolis, MN | $11M1 grants · 2024 | $11M | Preselected only | $102M |
| The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundationsince 1962 | Minnetonka, MN | $10M1 grants · 2024 | $10M | Yes | $286M |
| Lynne & Andrew Redleaf Foundationsince 2017 | Minneapolis, MN | $8.8M19 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $112M |
| David and Janis Larson Foundationsince 2015 | Minneapolis, MN | $8.4M45 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $140M |
| F R Bigelow Foundation Trust 555since 1948 | Saint Paul, MN | $7.9M218 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $181M |
| Hardenbergh Foundationsince 1952 | Saint Paul, MN | $6.8M185 grants · 2025 | $20K | Yes | $69M |
| The Mortenson Family Foundationsince 2001 | Minneapolis, MN | $6.2M262 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $142M |
| Peter J King Family Foundationsince 2008 | Golden Valley, MN | $6.2M24 grants · 2024 | $19K | Preselected only | $69M |
| Chs Foundationsince 1996 | Inver Grove, MN | $5.7M92 grants · 2025 | $14K | Yes | $66M |
| Katherine Wells Macmillan Foundationsince 2001 | Minneapolis, MN | $5.7M6 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $132M |
| Jerome Foundation Incsince 1964 | Saint Paul, MN | $5.5M157 grants · 2025 | $28K | Yes | $129M |
| Opus Foundationsince 2000 | Minneapolis, MN | $5.5M164 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $139M |
| The Green Fern Foundationsince 2013 | Minneapolis, MN | $5.3M1 grants · 2024 | $5.3M | Preselected only | $105M |
| I a Oshaughnessy Foundation Incsince 1943 | Bloomington, MN | $5.2M110 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $80M |
| Bcbsm Foundation Incsince 1988 | Saint Paul, MN | $4.6M51 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $79M |
| Securian Financial Foundation | Saint Paul, MN | $4.4M1 grants · 2025 | $4.4M | Yes | $114M |
| Joyful Noise Charitable Foundationsince 2000 | Minneapolis, MN | $4.2M17 grants · 2024 | $27K | Preselected only | $213M |
| Harry & Jan Sweere Foundationsince 2010 | Lakeville, MN | $4.2M45 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Cross Works Foundationsince 2022 | St Joseph, MN | $4.1M32 grants · 2024 | $24K | Preselected only | $64M |
| Slaggie Family Foundationsince 1999 | Winona, MN | $3.6M86 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $101M |
| Cummins Family Foundationsince 1999 | Plymouth, MN | $3.4M4 grants · 2024 | $375K | Preselected only | $61M |
| Mithun Family Foundationsince 1987 | Wayzata, MN | $3.3M83 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $56M |
| Kopp Family Foundationsince 1987 | Minnetonka, MN | $3.1M263 grants · 2025 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $58M |
| Hiawatha Education Foundationsince 1987 | Winona, MN | $3.0M34 grants · 2024 | $48K | Yes | $61M |
| Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundationsince 1953 | Saint Paul, MN | $2.9M88 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $102M |
| Mardag Foundationsince 1991 | Saint Paul, MN | $2.7M117 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $65M |
| Better Way Foundationsince 1988 | Minneapolis, MN | $2.7M45 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $68M |
| Andersen Corporate Foundationsince 1944 | Bayport, MN | $2.6M178 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $59M |
| Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesotasince 2011 | Minneapolis, MN | $2.6M120 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $62M |
| Wsdc Foundationsince 2007 | Minneapolis, MN | $2.0M25 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $56M |
| Ihle Family Foundationsince 2022 | Saint Paul, MN | $2.0M1 grants · 2024 | $2.0M | Preselected only | $59M |
| Shepherds - a Family Foundationsince 2015 | Wayzata, MN | $2.0M22 grants · 2025 | $65K | Preselected only | $106M |
| Cafesjian Family Foundation Incsince 2016 | Shoreview, MN | $1.6M1 grants · 2025 | $1.6M | Preselected only | $59M |
| J a Wedum Foundationsince 1963 | Plymouth, MN | $1.3M108 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $169M |
| The Taylor Foundationsince 2012 | North Mankato, MN | $760K4 grants · 2025 | $180K | Yes | $67M |
| Wonderful Foundationssince 2019 | Minneapolis, MN | $284K12 grants · 2024 | $17K | Preselected only | $226M |
| Community Facility Public Private Partnershipssince 2007 | Minnetonka, MN | — | — | Preselected only | $539M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Minnesota
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Minnesota State Arts Board — Organizational GrantsStateMinnesota State Arts Board | Minnesota State Arts Board | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Minnesota Humanities Center — Humanities GrantsStateMinnesota Humanities Center | Minnesota Humanities Center | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Minnesota?
Our directory lists 913 private grantmaking foundations in Minnesota with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $26B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.