Foundations that fund organizations in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Grand Rapids nonprofits
38 private foundations gave $23M to Grand Rapids organizations in their latest filings; 14 of the 38 that say either way accept applications.
142 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Grand Rapids around $5,000. 23 of these funders are based in Minnesota; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 38
- Accept applications
- 14
- of 38 that state a policy
- Dollars to Grand Rapids
- $23M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 142
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in MN
- 61%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Grand Rapids organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C K Blandin Residuary Trust C/O Wells Fargo Bank Na | St Louis, MO | 1 | $20M | $20M | Preselected only | To support direct charitable activities, grantmaking, and s… |
| C K Blandin Foundation | Grand Rapids, MN | 76 | $2.0M | $1,000 | Yes | Matching gift contribution in itasca county; Project support for organizational capacity building in ita…; Project support for general operating in itasca county |
| The McKnight Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 4 | $335K | $33K | Yes | for general operating support; to fund an emerging collective of artists and cultural orga… |
| The Nelson Family Foundation Inc | Prescott, WI | 1 | $130K | $130K | Preselected only | Religious organization-general fund |
| Arsher Charitable Trust | Hibbing, MN | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | General support |
| Minnesota Power Foundation | Duluth, MN | 16 | $86K | $1,750 | Yes | Contribution committee; Positively powerful; Foundation grant |
| The Sauer Family Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $75K | $75K | Yes | Building strong family relationships |
| The Weston Wabash Foundation C/O Old National Trust Company | Terre Haute, IN | 1 | $58K | $58K | Preselected only | Operating Support - $37,500; Designated to endowment - $10,… |
| Mardag Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Grand rapids early childhood education hub |
| Wells Fargo Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Small Business Development Center |
| Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation | Omaha, NE | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Unrestricted -general operating fund |
| Shavlik Family Charitable Trust | White Bear Lake, MN | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | Technology grant |
| The Birkey Family Foundation | Grand Rapids, MN | 4 | $16K | $5,000 | Preselected only | General |
| The Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Foundation | St Paul, MN | 2 | $15K | $7,500 | Yes | To ensure families have access to safe and affordable housi… |
| Ruth Spies Macrostie Irrev Trust | St Louis, MO | 2 | $12K | $6,000 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Jack Picheles Nielsen Education Trust Inc | Maple Plain, MN | 1 | $11K | $11K | Preselected only | Education |
| John J and Nora a Foster Foundation | Stillwater, MN | 1 | $6,500 | $6,500 | Preselected only | General support |
| W Second Growth Foundation | St Paul, MN | 3 | $6,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | General operating support; Capital improvement fund |
| Plank John Joseph Charitable Trust | St Louis, MO | 1 | $5,700 | $5,700 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Lyman Earl Rutter Tuw | St Louis, MO | 1 | $5,500 | $5,500 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Snyder Family Foundation Nfp | Bloomington, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Support of org's charitable purpose |
| Amy's Legacy Foundation | Plymouth, MN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| G2 Foundation | Deerwood, MN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| E W Hallett Charitable Tr Ua | Eagan, MN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | General operating |
| Peters Family Foundation | Park City, UT | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Helping children become their best selves. |
| Tri-Lakes Sportsmens Club | Lonsdale, MN | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Contribution |
| Walker Family Foundation | Tonka Bay, MN | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | General operation |
| Pachel Foundation | Duluth, MN | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | General use |
| Granite Foundation Agency (plg) | Mendota Heights, MN | 1 | $1,563 | $1,563 | Yes | Mn vikings tickets |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 3 | $1,500 | $500 | Preselected only | Animal-related; Food, agriculture and nutrition; Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations |
| Patterson Family Foundation | Wewoka, OK | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Support |
| Ben & Jeanne Overman Charitable Trust | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Charitable |
| Ufp Industries Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Outreach |
| Xcel Energy Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 2 | $820 | $410 | Yes | Match payroll deduction (501(c)3) grant; Match a previous donation (501(c)3) grant, match credit car… |
| Baxter International Foundation | Deerfield, IL | 2 | $450 | $225 | Preselected only | Matching gifts |
| Shell USA Company Foundation | Houston, TX | 1 | $200 | $200 | Preselected only | 200 |
| Happy Dancing Turtle Dba Resilient Living Council | Pine River, MN | 1 | $186 | $186 | Yes | Sponsorship of uofm extension crsdp lakes area sustainabili… |
| Bluestone Giving Foundation | Stillwater, MN | 1 | $36 | $36 | Yes | Gas Gift Card |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Grand Rapids, Minnesota?
C K Blandin Residuary Trust C/O Wells Fargo Bank Na, C K Blandin Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, The Nelson Family Foundation Inc, Arsher Charitable Trust and 33 others reported grants to Grand Rapids organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Grand Rapids. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.