Carlson Family Foundation
The Carlson Family Foundation is a Minnesota-based private philanthropic foundation headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantmaking foundation with a vision of uplifting youth through leadership at the intersection of love and insight. The Foundation works with communities to create opportunity, hope, and a sense of belonging for young people.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+9.4% YoY
Grant Count
32
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
+9.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission centers on youth development and community empowerment. Primary funding areas include:
- Constellation Initiative: Supporting K-12 schools, parents and caregivers, and out-of-school youth programs
- Sex Trafficking Prevention: Funding initiatives and programs that prevent sex trafficking and support positive youth-adult relationships
- Vibrant Communities: Supporting community development and economic opportunity
- General Community Support: Funding in areas where Carlson company operates, including youth services, food security, and counseling services
Grantmaking
The Foundation made 29 grants in 2024, with typical award ranges of $5,000–$550,000. Recent notable grants include:
How to Apply
**For Current Grantees (2026 Funding):**
Ready to take the next step with Carlson Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Additionally, a portion of the Foundation's giving supports people and communities where Carlson company operates.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $5,803,483
- Total Revenues: $1,052,606
- Total Expenses: $1,877,147
- Total Giving: $1,870,000
- Number of Employees: 0 (listed on tax filings)
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Investment Income and Dividends: $265,125
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $787,481
- Total Grants and Contributions: $0
Historical Context (2023):
- Total Assets: $6.63M
- Total Revenue: $1.82M
- Total Expenses: $1.71M
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ellipsis ($550,000), Urbandale Food Pantry ($300,000), Meals From the Heartland ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FOOD BANK OF IOWA DES MOINES, IA | FOOD | $50,000 |
| LOVE INC LIBERTY, MO | YOUTH SERVICES | $50,000 |
| GREATER KC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY, MO | YOUTH SERVICES | $5,000 |
| HILLSIDE OPENING POSSIBILITIES KANSAS CITY, MO | YOUTH SERVICES | $10,000 |
| MEALS FROM THE HEARTLAND CLIVE, IA | MEALS FOR THE POOR | $60,000 |
| THE CONNECTION CAFE DES MOINES, IA | MEALS FOR THE POOR | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| DMARC DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL FUND | $60,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL FUND | $50,000 |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION BETHESDA, MD | GENERAL FUND | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Aretha Green-Rupert: Program Director
- Dana Jensen: Program Director
The Foundation employs 3 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEAN CARLSON | President | 15 | — |
| SANDRA CARLSON | Secretary | 1 | — |
| TIMOTHY A CARLSON | Vice President | 1 | — |
| JODY CARLSON | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced grants in July 2024 supporting sex trafficking prevention and positive youth-adult relationships. The organization continues to expand its Constellation initiative across multiple youth-focused program areas and maintains active partnerships with grantees through collaborative grant-making processes.
July 2024 Grants Announced - Carlson Family FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Carlson Family Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission centers on youth development and community empowerment. Primary funding areas include: • **Constellation Initiative**: Supporting K-12 schools, parents and caregivers, and out-of-school youth programs • **Sex Trafficking Prevention**: Funding initiatives and programs that prevent sex trafficking and support positive youth-adult relationships • **Vibrant Communities**: Supporting community development and economic opportunity • **General Community Support**: Funding in a…
How do I apply for a grant from Carlson Family Foundation?
The Foundation made 29 grants in 2024, with typical award ranges of $5,000–$550,000. Recent notable grants include: • Ellipsis: $550,000 (Youth Services) • Urbandale Food Pantry: $300,000 (Food Pantry) • Meals From the Heartland: $60,000 (Meals for the Poor) Total giving in 2024 was $1,870,000. **For Current Grantees (2026 Funding):** Current grantees do not need to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for 2026. Instead, they should complete and submit the proposal that aligns with their program ar…
Where does Carlson Family Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Additionally, a portion of the Foundation's giving supports people and communities where Carlson company operates.
What size grants does Carlson Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Carlson Family Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $58K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Carlson Family Foundation's EIN?
Carlson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1891960. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carlson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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