Ciresi Walburn Foundation
The Ciresi Walburn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1998 with a $30 million commitment generated from fees earned in the Minnesota Tobacco Litigation, the Foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes and opportunities for Minnesota's children and youth. Originally named the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children, the organization adopted its current name in 2018 to honor Michael V. Ciresi and Roberta B. Walburn, the veteran attorneys who led the tobacco litigation.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
31
+10.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
-6.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to serve as a catalyst for creative, innovative, and system-changing programs and policies to promote education and equitable opportunities for all of Minnesota's children and youth.
Primary funding areas include:
- Early learning and early childhood education programs
- Education policy and advocacy initiatives
- Programs that support educators
- High-performing K–12 schools
- Wrap-around programs focused on children and families in high-needs neighborhoods
- Efforts to eliminate inequities in the educational system
- Scholarship funding for African-American males pursuing undergraduate degrees
Grantmaking
The Foundation partners with K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support youth and families in Minnesota.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Minnesota, with emphasis on supporting children and youth throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year ending March 2024:
- Total Assets: $43.5 million
- Total Revenues: $1.52 million
- Total Expenses: $2.98 million
- Total Liabilities: $19.9 million
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ciresi Walburn Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL V CIRESI | CHAIR | 20 | — |
| JOHN F EISBERG | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| LOUIS KING II | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL J O'CONNELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CAROLYN SMALLWOOD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ROBERTA WALBURN | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 20 | — |
| DORIS BAYLOR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GLORIA PEREZ | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has expanded its grantmaking in 2024, welcoming new grantees to its portfolio. In 2025, the Foundation announced a year-long partnership with James Cooper Consulting LLC in support of the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellowship Program at the University of St. Thomas.
Grants - Ciresi Walburn FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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MINNETONKA, MN
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
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The Geyer Family Foundation
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Assets
—
Grants
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Total Given
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Assets
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Grants
1
Total Given
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Donald and Luella Zibell Family Foundation
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Assets
—
Grants
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Total Given
$80K
Minnesota Citizens Concerned
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
$745K
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Total Given
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Clearway Minnesota (sm)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$442K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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