Connexus Energy Foundation
The Connexus Energy Foundation is a private foundation based in Ramsey, Minnesota. Connexus Energy says the foundation is funded by unclaimed Cash Back from former members and has supported local nonprofits since 2020.
Connexus Energy Foundation at a glance
In short: Connexus Energy Foundation gave $377K across 134 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Minnesota. 41% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $377,044
- +4.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 134
- +12.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,814
- -6.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $957,560
- +74.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (55 of 134, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Connexus Energy Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations through its online donation request form. Organizations must be located within the Connexus service area or, if outside it, provide programs or services benefiting Connexus members. The 2024 filing states that the application form is available on the Connexus Energy website and identifies Krista Benjamin as the contact. The website says it does not donate to religious, lobbying, political, governmental, labor, or fraternal organizations; for-profit educational institutions; private foundations; or organizations primarily promoting a hobby. It also excludes individual sports teams, graduation parties and proms, national fund drives, travel, meetings, conferences, seminars, sponsorships or advertising, and individuals.
- Review Cycle
- The website says requests are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines on the last business day of February, May, August, and November; awards are announced by the end of the following month. The 2024 filing states that applications were accepted year-round with no deadline.
- Deadline
- The website says requests are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines on the last business day of February, May, August,…
- Contact
Application contact: Krista Benjamin
Mailing address: 14601 Ramsey Blvd Nw, Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: (763) 323-2835
Website: https://connexusenergy.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Connexus Energy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wargo Nature Center - Anoka County Parks ($25K). Together the top 10 received $133K.
Grant Size Distribution
592 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 592 grants of 592 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website prioritizes organizations in its service area, while allowing requests from outside the area when the organization’s programs or services benefit Connexus members. Its 2025 filing lists 100% of grant dollars as going to Minnesota recipients and less than 1% to Pennsylvania recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 134 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Connexus Energy Foundation open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 55 of 134 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 51% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $330K (2021) to $382K (2022). In 2025 it made 134 grants totaling $377K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wargo Nature Center - Anoka County Parks Hugo, MN | Donation | $25,000 |
| The Salvation Army - Heatshare Roseville, MN | Donation | $20,000 |
| The Food Group New Hope, MN | Donation | $15,000 |
| Alexandra House Blaine, MN | Donation | $12,500 |
| Hope 4 Youth Anoka, MN | Donation | $10,250 |
| Anoka Technical College Foundation Anoka, MN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Zimmerman, MN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Initiative Foundation Little Falls, MN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Minnesota Council on Economic Foundation St. Paul, MN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Tree Trust St. Paul, MN | Donation | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Connexus Energy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $957,560 | $790,804 | $381,709 | $377,044 | 134 | $381,592 | $19,007 | $27,012 |
| 2024 | $548,465 | $584,498 | $361,118 | $359,517 | 119 | $361,118 | $8,438 | $20,144 |
| 2023 | $325,085 | $449,257 | $362,107 | $359,779 | 113 | $362,107 | — | $10,012 |
| 2022 | $237,935 | $342,995 | $385,290 | $381,581 | 117 | $385,290 | — | $7,137 |
| 2021 | $280,030 | $330,422 | $342,212 | $329,868 | 109 | $342,212 | — | $7,244 |
| 2020 | $291,820 | $540,819 | $335,405 | $331,037 | 103 | — | — | $5,967 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Connexus Energy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated priority areas are education, community service, youth, and the environment. Its guidelines describe education support as including scholarships, learning opportunities, and workforce development, especially in the electric industry. Community service priorities include quality-of-life initiatives such as hunger relief, disaster response, safety, and economic development. Its youth focus includes programs for at-risk children, teens, and young adults; its environmental focus includes stewardship, conservation, and nature centers.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. Alexandra House describes its mission as empowering victims of domestic and sexual violence and inspiring social change through education, support, and advocacy. HOPE 4 Youth says it provides pathways to end youth homelessness. Tree Trust describes its work as building career skills, inspiring tree planting, and making communities greener and healthier. The Anoka Technical College Foundation says it obtains and distributes resources to support the college’s students, faculty, programs, and vision.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 134 grants totaling $377,044. Grants ranged from $57 to $25,000, with a median award of $2,000. The largest listed awards included $25,000 to Wargo Nature Center – Anoka County Parks, $20,000 to The Salvation Army – HeatShare, $15,000 to The Food Group, $12,500 to Alexandra House, and $10,250 to HOPE 4 Youth. The foundation’s website separately reports $377,300 in nonprofit donations for 2025.
The foundation’s donation guidelines say most awards are $250–$5,000, though larger or smaller requests may be considered. Requests of $5,000 or more require outcome reporting. Multiple donation requests must be submitted together. Capital contributions may be considered as a partner with other contributors, or as matching funds; disbursement is limited to when construction is underway or funds are needed to secure services or materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Yan Paul Martinez as president/director and Raquel Berg and Jen Tyson as directors.
Connexus Energy Foundation is led by Yan Paul Martinez, President & Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Yan Paul Martinez
President & Director
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jen Tyson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Raquel Berg
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Alison Miles (2022–2024) — Secretary, Treasurer & Director
- Former: Mark Koplin (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Don Haller (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Greg Ridderbusch (2020–2021) — President & Director
- Former: Michael Bash (2020) — Secretary, Treasurer & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Connexus Energy Foundation
How much does Connexus Energy Foundation give each year?
Connexus Energy Foundation gave $377K across 134 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $360K across 119 grants.
What is Connexus Energy Foundation's typical grant size?
Connexus Energy Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,814, across 134 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Connexus Energy Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Connexus Energy Foundation give grants?
Connexus Energy Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Anoka, MN (17 grants), Blaine, MN (9 grants), Andover, MN (7 grants) and Elk River, MN (7 grants).
Does Connexus Energy Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 134 grants with a stated purpose on Connexus Energy Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (134 grants).
Who are Connexus Energy Foundation's largest grantees?
Connexus Energy Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Wargo Nature Center - Anoka County Parks ($25,000), The Salvation Army - Heatshare ($20,000) and The Food Group ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Connexus Energy Foundation?
Connexus Energy Foundation reported $958K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $382K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $27K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Connexus Energy Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated priority areas are education, community service, youth, and the environment. Its guidelines describe education support as including scholarships, learning opportunities, and workforce development, especially in the electric industry. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Connexus Energy Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations through its online donation request form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Connexus Energy Foundation's EIN?
Connexus Energy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3918068. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Connexus Energy Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Connexus Energy Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Connexus Energy Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/connexus-energy-foundation-morg_5be4210b5d004e108c086276bd9edc94
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_843918068_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Connexus Energy Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/connexus-energy-foundation-morg_5be4210b5d004e108c086276bd9edc94},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Connexus Energy 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.
Connexus Energy Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?