Carolyn Foundation
Carolyn Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $33.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $2.0M. Net investment income was $3.8M.
Carolyn Foundation at a glance
In short: Carolyn Foundation gave $2.0M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $1000K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,999,835
- -46.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $999,918
- -46.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $999,918
- Total assets
- $33,379,915
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Carolyn Foundation
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Carolyn Foundation
Carolyn Foundation Environmental Grant
Carolyn Foundation
Amount
US $15,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Grantmaking - Minneapolis, MN
Carolyn Foundation
Amount
US $15,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Grantmaking - New Haven, CT
Carolyn Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Carolyn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was See Attachment 2 ($2.0M). Together the top 2 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 10 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Carolyn Foundation gives
- Giving fell 42% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2024) to $3.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See Attachment 2 Minneapolis, MN | See Attachment 2 | $1,965,470 |
| See Attachment 3 Minneapolis, MN | See Attachment 3 | $34,365 |
Ready to take the next step with Carolyn Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33,379,915 | $3,882,715 | $2,676,671 | $1,999,835 | 2 | $2,537,498 | $3,783,542 | $2,291,928 |
| 2023 | $32,152,187 | $1,972,937 | $4,337,024 | $3,725,865 | 2 | $4,218,109 | $1,879,022 | $2,126,774 |
| 2022 | $34,516,778 | $1,701,607 | $2,740,000 | $2,179,600 | 2 | $2,602,295 | $1,593,902 | $2,259,517 |
| 2021 | $35,553,238 | $3,778,197 | $3,987,052 | $3,442,448 | 2 | $3,810,030 | $3,651,674 | $2,483,700 |
| 2020 | $35,761,702 | $2,560,759 | $3,654,903 | $3,218,869 | 2 | — | $2,469,904 | $2,167,044 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Carolyn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Carolyn Foundation is led by Rebecca Erdahl, Secretary & Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rebecca Erdahl
Secretary & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$191K (2020) → $311K (2024)
SOPHIE LaROCQUE
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Crosby
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brooke Reed
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Crosby
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
CLAREN COPP LaROCQUE
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Phelps
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stewart Crosby
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Jolliffe
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ned Graham
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Jolliffe
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Guido Calabresi
Emeritus Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nell Smith
Treasurer
Treasurer → Vc & Treasurer, 2022
Vc & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Dobson
Vice Chair
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Anne Calabresi (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Clark Carlton (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Edmund C. Graham III (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: John Jolliffe (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Andrew Dolan (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Beth Kriegsman (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Lesley Crosby (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Lucy Copp (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Andrew Crosby (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Charles Dobson (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $311K, to Rebecca Erdahl (Sec/Ex Director).
Frequently asked questions about Carolyn Foundation
How much does Carolyn Foundation give each year?
Carolyn Foundation gave $2.0M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.7M across 2 grants.
How large is Carolyn Foundation?
Carolyn Foundation reported $33.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Carolyn Foundation operate?
Carolyn Foundation has awarded grants in Minnesota.
What is Carolyn Foundation's EIN?
Carolyn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6044416. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Minnesota
Minnesota Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carolyn Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Minnesota
The Minneapolis Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Foundation funds civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education, health, the environment, arts, and human services, with most grant dollars going to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. It says no funding opportunities are currently open; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation funds education, health care, and human services, including college scholarships, with most support benefiting working- and middle-class families in specified Minnesota and Florida counties; it also makes some national grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $50 to $10 million. It plans to move to invitation-only grantmaking in 2027; whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$218.3M
Grants
1,431
Total Given
$47.9M
Wells Fargo Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
Wells Fargo Foundation funds financial opportunity, affordable housing, small business growth, and some other local community needs across national and eligible local communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $8 million, with a median of $35,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a grant interest form to be considered for an invitation.
Assets
$8.6M
Grants
1,376
Total Given
$157.4M
C K Blandin Foundation
Grand Rapids, MN
The C K Blandin Foundation funds rural Minnesota projects that build community wealth, improve rural places, strengthen small communities, and support capacity-building, with a primary focus on the Grand Rapids area. Rural grants are typically $25,000–$150,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests, offering opportunities through invitations or competitive RFPs.
Assets
$506.3M
Grants
931
Total Given
$15.8M
The McKnight Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The McKnight Foundation funds arts and culture, resilient food systems, Midwest climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, with Minnesota a primary focus for several programs and work also extending beyond the state. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000; prospective applicants should first discuss fit with program staff, who provide proposal instructions if the work can be considered.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
790
Total Given
$145.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Carolyn Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Carolyn Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?