Hearth Connection
Hearth Connection is a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based public charity that works with government entities, community stakeholders, nonprofit partners, and direct service providers to strengthen Minnesota’s supportive-housing network for people experiencing homelessness. It provides funding and administrative support, along with fiscal and programmatic oversight, to community organizations.
Hearth Connection at a glance
In short: Hearth Connection gave $12.0M across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $342K), mostly in Minnesota. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,967,080
- +10.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $341,917
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $132,516
- Total assets
- $1,506,305
- +20.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (2 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Hearth Connection
- Contact
Mailing address: 2446 University Avenue West 150, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Phone: (920) 636-8351
Website: https://hearthconnection.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hearth Connection funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Guild Incorporated ($1.8M). Together the top 10 received $9.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
196 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 196 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Hearth Connection’s filing describes its work with community organizations in 46 Minnesota counties. Its four regional collaboratives serve the metro, northeastern, southeastern, and central Minnesota regions. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to Minnesota recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Hearth Connection open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 35 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $360K. How we count
Medians: $45K first-time, $147K repeat.
- 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $10.9M (2023) to $12.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $12.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Guild Incorporated St. Paul, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $1,765,415 |
| Resource Inc (Avivo) Minneapolis, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $1,682,544 |
| Phia T Xiong & Jeff D Spencer Foundation St. Paul, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $1,127,016 |
| Amherst H Wilder Foundation St. Paul, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $976,976 |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota St. Paul, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $818,873 |
| People Incorporated St. Paul, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $784,369 |
| Blue Earth County Mankato, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $739,741 |
| Human Development Center Duluth, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $529,828 |
| Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center Inc Rochester, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $430,663 |
| South Central Human Relations Center Inc Owatonna, MN | Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing | $409,954 |
Ready to take the next step with Hearth Connection?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Hearth Connection files Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,506,305 | $14,026,896 | $14,002,738 | $11,967,080 | 35 | $16,837 |
| 2023 | $1,251,935 | $12,804,118 | $12,800,392 | $10,869,941 | 33 | $2,346 |
| 2022 | $2,575,145 | $13,144,302 | $13,700,110 | $11,556,587 | 33 | $1,020 |
| 2021 | $2,283,440 | $14,314,767 | $14,152,424 | $12,081,498 | 33 | $513 |
| 2020 | $3,522,034 | $13,820,616 | $13,939,533 | $11,920,489 | 62 | $678 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Hearth Connection’s stated mission is “strengthening Minnesota’s supportive housing community to advance long-term solutions to homelessness.” Its website describes a harm-reduction, housing-first approach that combines rental assistance with coordinated support services delivered through social-service agencies. It also convenes stakeholders, shares data and stories to inform policy and systems change, and provides resources, training, and tools to service providers.
Its 2024 grants included rental assistance and supportive housing. Supported organizations work in areas including housing, mental health, social services, and other supports. For example, Guild says it offers integrated mental health, housing, and employment services to people living with mental illness and/or experiencing chronic homelessness. Human Development Center says it provides integrated, culturally respectful mental health and addiction services. Breaking Free says it supports survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution through safe housing, direct services, and other programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Hearth Connection reported 35 grants totaling $11,967,080. Grants ranged from $10,239 to $1,765,415, with a median grant of $132,516. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota. The stated purpose for the largest listed grants was rental assistance and supportive housing.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $1,765,415 to Guild, $1,682,544 to Resource Inc. (Avivo), $1,127,016 to Phia T Xiong & Jeff D Spencer Foundation, $976,976 to Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, and $818,873 to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Other listed recipients included People Incorporated ($784,369), Blue Earth County ($739,741), Human Development Center ($529,828), Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center ($430,663), South Central Human Relations Center ($409,954), Breaking Free ($356,590), and Northland Counseling ($253,419).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marcus Schmit as executive director; Kristine Davis as deputy executive director; and Eric Hands as director of software development and Winda Roets as director of finance. Listed board officers are Sam Smith, chair; Julie Grothe, vice chair; Stacy Wells, secretary; and Ryan Robinson, treasurer. Marlena Jasch and Ed Arias are also listed as board members.
Hearth Connection is led by Marcus Schmit, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 5 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marcus Schmit
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$47K (2021) → $155K (2024)
Sam Smith
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Hands
Director of Software Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$102K (2023) → $110K (2024)
Winda Roets
Director of Finance
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$82K (2023) → $86K (2024)
Kristine Davis
Deputy Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $117K (2024)
Marlena Jasch
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$1K (2024)
Kelli Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Wilhight
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Grothe
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Kahn
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Robinson
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Arias
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie Zimmerman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Vadis
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Wells
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bukata Hayes
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Bogie
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Dahl
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Wade
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Charles Hudson (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Randy Hornstine (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Barbara Miller (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Margaret Good (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Sonnie Elliot (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Taunia Gorka (2020–2021) — Director of Finance
- Former: Eric Hansen (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Dan Melcher (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: David O. ' Leary (2020) — Interim Executive Director
- Former: Ed Kegle (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Karla Dross (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kelby Grovender (2020) — Executive Director
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 $155K, to Marcus Schmit (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hearth Connection
How much does Hearth Connection give each year?
Hearth Connection gave $12.0M across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $10.9M across 33 grants.
What is Hearth Connection's typical grant size?
Hearth Connection's median grant in 2024 was $132,516, and its average grant was $341,917, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hearth Connection that year got $45K on average.
Where does Hearth Connection give grants?
Hearth Connection gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were St. Paul, MN (8 grants), Minneapolis, MN (8 grants), Duluth, MN (4 grants) and Virginia, MN (2 grants).
Does Hearth Connection give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 35 grants with a stated purpose on Hearth Connection's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Rental Assistance and Supportive Housing" (25 grants) and "Supportive Housing" (7 grants).
Who are Hearth Connection's largest grantees?
Hearth Connection's largest 2024 grantees include Guild Incorporated ($1,765,415), Resource Inc (Avivo) ($1,682,544) and Phia T Xiong & Jeff D Spencer Foundation ($1,127,016), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hearth Connection?
Hearth Connection reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.0M.
What does Hearth Connection fund?
Hearth Connection’s stated mission is “strengthening Minnesota’s supportive housing community to advance long-term solutions to homelessness.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hearth Connection?
Hearth Connection has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check hearthconnection.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Hearth Connection's EIN?
Hearth Connection's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1945956. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hearth Connection funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hearth-connection-morg_5f2ad3beb60e41629149b65b25d2fce0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411945956_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hearth Connection funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hearth-connection-morg_5f2ad3beb60e41629149b65b25d2fce0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Hearth Connection'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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