Grotto Foundation Inc
Grotto Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, established in 1966. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on improving the educational, financial, physical, and social well-being of individuals and families through strategic grantmaking to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+84.6% YoY
Grant Count
28
+27.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
+45.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to benefit society by improving the educational, financial, physical, and social well-being of individuals and families by investing in effective nonprofit organizations throughout Minnesota.
The foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that work in at least three of the following four areas:
- Youth Development
- Community Safety and Neighborhood Development
- Postsecondary Success
- Mentoring
Specific program areas include general support, public safety programs, program support, operational support for Minnesota programs, central kitchen initiatives, mentorship programs, and mental health and wellness services.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not have a formal letter of inquiry (LOI) process and does not generally accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation invites selected organizations to apply, with grant decisions made three times per year.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Minnesota, with some activity in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $31,035,272 to $32,311,545
- Total revenues: $2,555,754
- Total expenses: $1,366,277
- Number of employees: 1
| 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
118 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Grotto Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Normandale Community College Foundation ($100,000), The Sanneh Foundation ($75,000), Appetite for Change ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APPETITE FOR CHANGE MINNEAPOLIS, MN | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS OF THE 7 RIVERS LA CROSSE, WI | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BIG IDEAS INC NEW ULM, MN | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BLACK MEN TEACH MINNEAPOLIS, MN | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BOLDER OPTIONS MINNEAPOLIS, MN | MENTORING PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BRAVO ZULU HOUSE NEW RICHMOND, MN | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $23,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH TWIN CITIES ST PAUL, MN | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT MINNEAPOLIS, MN | YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS ST PAUL, MN | PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY MINNEAPOLIS, MN | PATHWAYS TO CAREERS PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOUIS FORS HILL | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MARY MANUEL | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| RICHARD ANDOLSHEK | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| KATHRINE HILL | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LOUIS SHEA HILL | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NANCY RANDALL-DANA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BARBARA SLADE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ERIK FORS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SONJA MOORE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $197,647 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation granted $25,000 to the American Indian College Fund to revitalize Lakota language in early childhood education.
Grotto Foundation Grants $25,000 to American Indian College Fund to RevitalizeFrequently Asked Questions
What does Grotto Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to benefit society by improving the educational, financial, physical, and social well-being of individuals and families by investing in effective nonprofit organizations throughout Minnesota. The foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that work in at least three of the following four areas: • Youth Development • Community Safety and Neighborhood Development • Postsecondary Success • Mentoring Specific program areas include general support, public safety …
How do I apply for a grant from Grotto Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • In fiscal year 2024, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $581,750 in general grants for charitable purposes • Total giving reported at $1,073,750 in recent filings • Typical grant awards range from $3,750 to $100,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not have a formal letter of inquiry (LOI) process and does not generally accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation invites selected organizations to apply, with grant decisions made three times per year.
Where does Grotto Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Minnesota, with some activity in Wisconsin.
What size grants does Grotto Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, Grotto Foundation Inc awarded 28 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Grotto Foundation Inc's EIN?
Grotto Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6052604. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grotto Foundation Inc'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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