Updated Oct 31, 2026
Private foundations based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
189 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, holding $7.8B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 17 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKnight Foundationsince 1994 | $146M790 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $2.7B |
| The Richard M Schulze Family Foundationsince 2014 | $48M1,431 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $218M |
| Ghr Foundationsince 2013 | $36M155 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $1.1B |
| Baustert Family Foundationsince 2015 | $28M31 grants · 2025 | $63K | Preselected only | $162M |
| Target Foundationsince 1928 | $23M125 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $74M |
| Medtronic Communities Foundationsince 1977 | $16M17 grants · 2024 | $253K | Yes | $13M |
| Kaena Foundationsince 2014 | $14M1 grants · 2024 | $14M | Preselected only | $95M |
| Pohlad Family Foundationsince 1994 | $14M373 grants · 2024 | $625 | Yes | $76M |
| Schoeneckers Foundationsince 1980 | $14M1 grants · 2024 | $14M | Preselected only | $110M |
| Cargill Foundationsince 1954 | $13M95 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $307M |
| Guilder Foundationsince 2013 | $11M1 grants · 2024 | $11M | Preselected only | $102M |
| Lynne & Andrew Redleaf Foundationsince 2017 | $8.8M19 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $112M |
| David and Janis Larson Foundationsince 2015 | $8.4M45 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $140M |
| Tara Health Foundationsince 2014 | $7.4M39 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $34M |
| The Mortenson Family Foundationsince 2001 | $6.2M262 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $142M |
| Katherine Wells Macmillan Foundationsince 2001 | $5.7M6 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $132M |
| Opus Foundationsince 2000 | $5.5M164 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $139M |
| The Green Fern Foundationsince 2013 | $5.3M1 grants · 2024 | $5.3M | Preselected only | $105M |
| George Family Foundationsince 1993 | $5.0M166 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $51M |
| Hrk Foundationsince 1964 | $4.7M212 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $15M |
| Joyful Noise Charitable Foundationsince 2000 | $4.2M17 grants · 2024 | $27K | Preselected only | $213M |
| Sit Investment Associates Foundationsince 1984 | $3.2M118 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $42M |
| Lenzmeier Family Foundationsince 2004 | $3.2M20 grants · 2025 | $53K | Preselected only | $29M |
| Haggerty Family Foundationsince 1997 | $3.0M1 grants · 2024 | $3.0M | Preselected only | $46M |
| John & Denise Graves Foundationsince 2014 | $2.8M85 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $48M |
| Better Way Foundationsince 1988 | $2.7M45 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $68M |
| Beverly Foundationsince 2000 | $2.6M68 grants · 2024 | $17K | Yes | $15M |
| Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesotasince 2011 | $2.6M120 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $62M |
| Gold Bay Foundationsince 2015 | $2.5M11 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $32M |
| Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Childrensince 2000 | $2.4M31 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $41M |
| Wsdc Foundationsince 2007 | $2.0M25 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $56M |
| Carolyn Foundationsince 1965 | $2.0M2 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Yes | $36M |
| Gale Family Foundationsince 2007 | $1.7M45 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $18M |
| Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Foundationsince 2015 | $1.6M17 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $23M |
| Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundationsince 2010 | $1.6M45 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $13M |
| Graco Foundationsince 1958 | $1.6M38 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $25M |
| Frey Foundationsince 1988 | $1.2M48 grants · 2024 | $19K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Chorzempa Family Foundationsince 1997 | $1.2M41 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $29M |
| Acorn Charitable Trsince 2018 | $1.2M1 grants · 2024 | $1.2M | Preselected only | $14M |
| Holmes-Csm Family Foundationsince 1997 | $1.1M8 grants · 2025 | $53K | Preselected only | $22M |
| Phileona Foundationsince 1994 | $1.1M62 grants · 2024 | $4,365 | Preselected only | $21M |
| Cochineal Charitable Trustsince 2017 | $1.0M1 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $14M |
| Tourville Family Foundationsince 2021 | $995K59 grants · 2024 | $12K | Preselected only | $23M |
| John and Margie Wiehoff Foundationsince 2006 | $985K34 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Pine Needles Charitable Trustsince 2017 | $938K1 grants · 2024 | $938K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Corliss Foundationsince 2018 | $904K1 grants · 2024 | $904K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Smikis Foundationsince 1993 | $803K17 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Lipscomb Family Foundationsince 1979 | $772K49 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $14M |
| Marbrook Corporate Foundationsince 2020 | $685K86 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $14M |
| Hodder Family Foundationsince 2020 | $664K53 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $44M |
| Collin-Mcdonald Trust Fundsince 1951 | $655K40 grants · 2025 | $11K | Yes | $20M |
| Collins Companies Foundationsince 2008 | $640K14 grants · 2025 | $43K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Stevens Square Foundationsince 1980 | $637K30 grants · 2025 | $24K | Yes | $17M |
| Collins Medical Trustsince 1958 | $576K15 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $15M |
| Lawrence Family Foundationsince 1997 | $570K22 grants · 2024 | $8,500 | Preselected only | $15M |
| Beim Foundationsince 1958 | $531K1 grants · 2024 | $531K | Yes | $12M |
| Wonderful Foundationssince 2019 | $284K12 grants · 2024 | $17K | Preselected only | $226M |
| Chizek Family Foundationsince 2001 | $159K27 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $17M |
| Martha Elizabeth Macmillan Family Foundationsince 1999 | $108K7 grants · 2024 | $11K | Preselected only | $16M |
| Paparella Family Foundationsince 1999 | $84K1 grants · 2025 | $84K | Preselected only | $12M |
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 Minneapolis, Minnesota?
Our directory lists 189 private grantmaking foundations in Minneapolis, Minnesota with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $7.8B. 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.