The CLA Foundation is the philanthropic wing of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), a Minneapolis-based accounting and consulting firm. Established in 2015, it operates as a private 501(c)(3) foundation and independent grantmaking organization. The foundation is located at 220 S 6th St Ste 300, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1418.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.3M
+58.4% YoY
Grant Count
202
+60.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-1.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The CLA Foundation is committed to creating careers and opportunities in the United States. The foundation supports education and workforce development programs, with particular emphasis on:
- Higher education and scholarship initiatives
- Workforce development and career training
- Human services and poverty alleviation
- Nonprofit capacity building and grantmaking
- Programs in construction, manufacturing, agribusiness, and related industries
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants across a range of sizes and types:
Grant Range
$14,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Recent grants have supported organizations across CLA's office locations nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 (Most Recent):
- Total Assets: $2,612,215
- Total Revenue: $4,631,696
- Total Expenses: $2,028,888
- Total Distributions: $3,349,158
- Total Liabilities: $499,000
2023:
- Total Assets: $1,351,324
- Total Revenue: $2,590,594
- Total Expenses: $2,432,402
Historical Growth: The foundation achieved significant growth in its early years, surpassing $1 million in annual grants for the first time in 2019, just four years after its establishment.
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Staff (as of 2024):
- Saundra Beatty, Chair
- Mary Kay Curtiss, Treasurer
- Susan Carter, Executive Director (as of February 2024)
- Mindy Plewacki, Executive Director (through March 2024)
- Jen Leary, Ex-Officio (CLA Chief Executive)
- Diego Ahumada, Director
- Susan Barry, Director
- Lakeisha Jefferson, Director
- Richard Krueger, Director
- Jeanette Stillwagner, Director
- Sharey Wang, Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINDY PLEWACKI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 03/24) | 40 | — |
| SUSAN CARTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (AS OF 02/24) | 40 | — |
| SAUNDRA BEATTY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MARY KAY CURTISS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JEN LEARY | EX-OFFICIO | 1 | — |
| DIEGO AHUMADA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN BARRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAKEISHA JEFFERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD KRUEGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEANETTE STILLWAGNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHAREY WANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025:**
The CLA Foundation announced $2 million in workforce development grants, including $1.5 million to Scholarship America for higher education and internship initiatives, and $500,000 to SkillsUSA for career development programs in construction, manufacturing, and agribusiness.
CLA Foundation Grants $1.5 Million Through Strategic Impact Fund**Contact Information:**
Telephone: 612-376-4500
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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