Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Minneapolis, MN EIN: 41-1911630

The Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations working in areas including the arts, conservation, parks, community services, and education.

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation at a glance

In short: Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation gave $163K across 59 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), top state Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$163,328
+316.9% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
59
-34.4% vs 2024
Average grant
$2,768
+536.0% vs 2024
Median grant
$250
Total assets
$1,762,081
-1.4% vs 2024
Primary geography
Minnesota (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.

How to apply to Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 25 Park Lane, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: (912) 940-4989

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Public Theater: $73KPublic Theater$73KWalker Art Center: $12KWalker Art Center$12KConservation MN: $10KConservation MN$10KGuthrie Theater: $10KGuthrie Theater$10KMinneapolis Parks Foundation: $10KMinneapolis Parks Foundation$10KTrust for Public Land: $8KTrust for Public Land$8KMSP Film Society: $7KMSP Film Society$7KGreater Twin Cities United Way: $5KGreater Twin Cities United Way$5KSt Marks Cathedral Church: $5KSt Marks Cathedral Church$5KDavidson College: $3KDavidson College$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was Public Theater ($73K). Together the top 10 received $142K.

Grant Size Distribution

266 grants across all recorded years

265<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 265 grants of 266 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 49% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 47% to recipients in New York. Smaller shares went to North Carolina (2%) and Virginia (1%); the reported share for Washington, D.C., was 0%.

Grant Distribution by State

11states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.

Cities

MinneapolisNew YorkSt. PaulWashingtonSan FranciscoBostonAtlantaBaxterBrooklyn ParkOaklandPortlandRaleighRochesterAmericusChaskaFairfieldNew HopeNorthamptonRichmondArlington

How Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation gives

  • 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 683% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 166% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K5 grants2020 10 grants2021 32 grants2022 75 grants2023 90 grants2024 59 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2020) to $163K (2025). In 2025 it made 59 grants totaling $163K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Public Theater New York, NYGeneral Support$72,500
Walker Art Center Minneapolis, MNPerofrming Arts and Sculpture Garden$12,000
Conservation MN Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$10,000
Guthrie Theater Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$10,000
Minneapolis Parks Foundation Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$10,000
Trust for Public Land St. Paul, MNGeneral Support$7,500
MSP Film Society Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$7,000
Greater Twin Cities United Way Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$5,000
St Marks Cathedral Church Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$5,000
Davidson College Davidson, NCGeneral Support$3,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$1,762,081$155,605$180,164$163,32859$163,328$140,432$98,221
2024$1,786,214$139,916$56,950$39,17590$40,451$123,368$97,261
2023$1,702,398$55,590$34,739$19,00075$20,075$40,926$87,417
2022$1,682,148$56,136$42,431$20,85032$21,925$41,659$87,185
2021$1,667,716$245,977$23,150$9,01110$9,141$232,314$93,677
2020$1,445,028$67,209$27,380$8,5005—$53,278$77,066

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $98K 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

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for arts organizations such as the Walker Art Center, Guthrie Theater, and Public Theater; conservation and parks organizations; and organizations providing community, educational, and media services.

The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. The Walker Art Center says it “empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities” of contemporary art and ideas. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation says it transforms lives through parks and public spaces. Project SUCCESS says it helps young people envision and pursue their futures, while Twin Cities Public Television says it enriches lives and strengthens the community through media.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 59 grants totaling $163,328. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $72,500, with a median of $250. Its largest reported grants were $72,500 to the Public Theater for general support; $12,000 to the Walker Art Center for performing arts and its sculpture garden; and $10,000 each to Conservation MN, Guthrie Theater, and Minneapolis Parks Foundation. Other grants included $7,500 to the Trust for Public Land, $7,000 to the MSP Film Society, and $5,000 each to Greater Twin Cities United Way and St. Marks Cathedral Church.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Frank S. Wilkinson Jr. as president and Frances Wilkinson as secretary. It notes that Frank S. Wilkinson Jr. passed away on July 3, 2025.

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation is led by Frank S. Wilkinson Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Frank S. Wilkinson Jr.

    President

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Frances Wilkinson

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

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 Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation

How much does Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation give each year?

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation gave $163K across 59 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $39K across 90 grants.

What is Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's typical grant size?

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $250, and its average grant was $2,768, across 59 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation give grants?

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's top state is Minnesota, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was New York (47%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (21 grants), New York, NY (16 grants), St. Paul, MN (7 grants) and Washington, DC (5 grants).

Does Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 98% of Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (58 of 59) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's largest grantees?

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Public Theater ($72,500), Walker Art Center ($12,000) and Conservation MN ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation?

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $163K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $98K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for arts organizations such as the Walker Art Center, Guthrie Theater, and Public Theater; conservation and parks organizations; and organizations providing community, educational, and media services. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's EIN?

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1911630. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 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

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 12, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 2, 2024)
  5. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 16, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 17, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and 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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.7B

Grants

1,473

Total Given

$107.2M

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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

More similar funders

More Funders in Minnesota

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/frances-and-frank-wilkinson-foundation-morg_94a96ed6190f4c7798fca0a8f9d56ce0

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411911630_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Frances \& Frank Wilkinson Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/frances-and-frank-wilkinson-foundation-morg_94a96ed6190f4c7798fca0a8f9d56ce0},
  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 Frances & Frank Wilkinson 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.

Frances & Frank Wilkinson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?