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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Black Men Teach ($70,000), Careers in Construction Colorado ($66,000), Berlin Community Day Care ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A MILLION STARS INC ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $13,000 |
| ACADEMY 4 FORT WORTH, TX | PROGRAM SPECIFIC SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ACTION YOUTH MEDIA INC SILVER SPRING, MD | GENERAL OPERATING | $12,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC HAGERSTOWN, MD | PROGRAM SPECIFIC SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| AMIKIDS INC TAMPA, FL | GENERAL OPERATING | $12,000 |
| APPLE TREE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $15,000 |
| ARC FOND DU LAC FOND DU LAC, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| ASCEND SERVICES INC MANITOWOC, WI | GENERAL OPERATING | $8,000 |
| ASSET BUILDERS OF AMERICA INC MADISON, WI | PROGRAM SPECIFIC SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| AUSTIN ASPIRES AUSTIN, MN | GENERAL OPERATING | $15,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cla Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from Cla Foundation?
The foundation makes grants across a range of sizes and types: **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$200,000 • Median grant size: $14,000 • Maximum grant observed: $200,000 • Grant types include general operating support, program-specific support, and the Paul J. Wood Award **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2024: 202 grants totaling $3.4 million in distributions • 2023: 112 grants made totaling approximately $1.42 million • 2019: Surpassed $1 million in annual grants for the firs…
Where does Cla Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Recent grants have supported organizations across CLA's office locations nationwide.
What size grants does Cla Foundation award?
In 2024, Cla Foundation awarded 202 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cla Foundation's EIN?
Cla Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3544862. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cla 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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