Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation
The Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation is a private foundation based in Lakeville, Minnesota. It supports charitable organizations in keeping with its stated Christian faith and conservative values, with a mission to grow the Kingdom of God, encourage youth, and promote the sanctity of life.
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation at a glance
In short: Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation gave $4.2M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $93K), mostly in Minnesota. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,194,371
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $93,208
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $70,422,038
- +5.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (16 of 45, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It identifies charitable organizations to support, and its filing says contributions are made only to preselected organizations. Its website says applicant organizations must be headquartered in the United States, be financially stable over time, and normally demonstrate financial support from other sources. Grants are normally given with the understanding that they remain anonymous.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1319, Lakeville, MN 55044
Phone: (952) 221-4075
Website: https://sweerefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
241 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 129 grants of 241 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Minnesota recipients accounted for 85% of grant dollars. Recipients in Tennessee received 5%, while those in California, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC, each accounted for 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 45 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $121K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 128% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2023) to $6.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church Minneapolis, MN | General School Operations | $1,219,371 |
| Project Video St. Paul, MN | Asia Staff Fund, US Programming, Asia Family Meeting and Film Competition, India Initiative, Equipment | $420,000 |
| Venture Burnsville, MN | General Operations & Administration NBCM - Salaries, Studio, Production Fund | $301,000 |
| Camp Omega Waterville, MN | Capital Campaign: Adult and Family Retreat Center | $279,000 |
| Franciscan Brothers of Peace St. Paul, MN | General Budget, Karen Catholic Student Busing, BSC Friary Mortgage Aid | $225,000 |
| The Center for Victims of Torture St. Paul, MN | General Operating, Ukraine Healing and Justice Work, Thailand: Documenting Human Rights Violations in Burma | $220,000 |
| Show Hope Inc Franklin, TN | Administrative | $200,000 |
| The Sanneh Foundation St. Paul, MN | Workforce Development, Community Camps, Conway Center Programs, Nutritional Services | $100,000 |
| Catholic Charities Minneapolis, MN | General Operations | $85,000 |
| Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network Washington DC, DC | National Crisis Lifeline, Attorney and Physicians Network, Legislative, Social Media Specialist | $80,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $70,422,038 | $5,305,342 | $6,078,858 | $4,194,371 | 45 | $4,370,650 | $3,522,037 | $3,419,246 |
| 2023 | $66,611,515 | $4,005,337 | $5,579,329 | $4,099,009 | 43 | $4,253,342 | $2,783,988 | $3,188,773 |
| 2022 | $64,535,675 | $4,187,731 | $7,373,955 | $6,304,855 | 51 | $6,510,741 | $4,037,845 | $3,332,569 |
| 2021 | $78,780,881 | $4,972,499 | $6,248,839 | $5,517,317 | 45 | $5,678,996 | $4,478,893 | $3,630,277 |
| 2020 | $75,896,938 | $4,396,163 | $5,525,727 | $4,516,764 | 57 | — | $3,827,617 | $3,389,606 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to preserve its founder’s Christian faith and conservative values by growing the Kingdom of God, encouraging youth, and promoting the sanctity of life. Its stated guiding values include supporting orthodox Christian teaching, fostering the Gospel through grants to Christian organizations, investing in youth and their relationship with Jesus Christ, and serving pro-life and pro-family causes.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Project Video says its mission is to proclaim the Gospel through media. Hope Academy describes itself as operating a K–12 school offering a classical Christian education in urban Minneapolis, while Campus Faith Clubs says it offers Christian faith, food, and fellowship in middle and high schools. The Center for Victims of Torture says it works to heal the effects of torture and stop torture worldwide. Rebuild Ukraine describes providing humanitarian aid and support and education for children affected by the war.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 45 grants totaling $4,194,371. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $1,219,371, with a median of $50,000.
The largest reported grants included $1,219,371 to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church for general school operations; $420,000 to Project Video for media-related programs and activities; $301,000 to Venture for operations and production; and $279,000 to Camp Omega for a capital campaign for an adult and family retreat center. Other notable grants included $225,000 to Franciscan Brothers of Peace, $220,000 to the Center for Victims of Torture, and $200,000 to Show Hope.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Pamela Sweere as President, Executive Director, Treasurer, and Secretary; James Sweere as Chairperson; Mark Sweere as Vice Chairperson; and Char Nelson and Carol Hager as Directors.
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation is led by Pamela Sweere, President, Executive Director, Treasurer & Secretary on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Pamela Sweere
President, Executive Director, Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$80K (2020) → $80K (2024)
James Sweere
Chairperson
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Hager
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Char Nelson
Director
Chairperson → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Sweere
Vice Chairperson
Director → Vice Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $80K, to Pamela Sweere (President/Exec Dir/Treasurer/Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation
How much does Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation give each year?
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation gave $4.2M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 43 grants.
What is Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's typical grant size?
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $93,208, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation that year got $42K on average.
Where does Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation give grants?
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (8 grants), St. Paul, MN (7 grants), Lakeville, MN (3 grants) and Burnsville, MN (2 grants).
Does Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 47% of Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's largest grantees?
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church ($1,219,371), Project Video ($420,000) and Venture ($301,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation?
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation reported $70.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to preserve its founder’s Christian faith and conservative values by growing the Kingdom of God, encouraging youth, and promoting the sanctity of life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's EIN?
Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-6538381. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Harry & Jan Sweere 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Harry & Jan Sweere Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/harry-and-jan-sweere-foundation-morg_c973fba86c424cf9a3a29bbbbe02bc62
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_306538381_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Harry \& Jan Sweere Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/harry-and-jan-sweere-foundation-morg_c973fba86c424cf9a3a29bbbbe02bc62},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-02. 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 Harry & Jan Sweere 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.
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