Margaret a Cargill Foundation
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation (MACF) is a private grantmaking foundation based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Established in 2006 following the passing of Margaret Anne Cargill, an heir to the Cargill fortune, the foundation operates as part of Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), an umbrella organization that also includes the Anne Ray Foundation. MACP ranks among the top ten foundations in the United States by combined assets.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3B
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$146.7M
-10.0% YoY
Grant Count
312
+8.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$470K
-16.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Margaret a Cargill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $156.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment.
The foundation supports efforts to enhance quality of life and prevent and relieve suffering of children, families, and older adults; preserve and promote the environment and the arts; and encourage the humane treatment of animals.
MACP develops and implements integrated grantmaking strategies across seven programmatic domains:
- Arts & Cultures
- Disaster Relief & Recovery
- Environment
- Animal Welfare
- Quality of Life
- Teachers & Students
- Legacy & Opportunity
Within these domains, the foundation's program strategies are anchored in compelling issues where it partners to make meaningful, measurable, and sustainable difference in a defined period of time.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 250+ grants totaling approximately $120 million in 2024.
Grant Range
** Varies significantly by program, ranging from thousands to multi-million dollar grants. Typical awards range from $100 to $8,100,000.
Invitation Only
** Grant proposals are by invitation only.
Ready to take the next step with Margaret a Cargill Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
National focus with emphasis on the Upper Midwest and international presence across 66 countries. The foundation supports initiatives in numerous states and international locations including Bali, Bangkok, and Nairobi.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $3.27 billion (MACF alone); $8.5 billion combined (MACF and Anne Ray Foundation)
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $87.8 million
- Total Expenses: $190 million
- Total Giving: $146.7 million
- Annual Giving (combined MACP entities): $313.8 million
Staffing: 122 employees as of 2024
Since Founding: The organization has distributed more than $3 billion in grants since its establishment in 2006.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,269,094,860 | $3,254,260,683 | $3,270,710,714 |
| Revenue | $87,823,175 | $92,623,926 | $-12,974,325 |
| Expenses | $189,969,985 | $227,342,307 | $163,821,284 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $166,104,567 | $180,700,087 | $167,725,068 |
| Net Investment Income | $94,754,501 | $113,378,754 | $45,654,022 |
| Distributable Amount | $156,599,882 | $155,576,071 | $176,690,188 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Climateworks Foundation ($1,927,000), Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere Inc - Care ($1,750,000), Catholic Relief Services ($1,650,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVING THE DREAM INC SILVER SPRING, MD | BUILDING RESILIENCY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK | $600,000 |
| ACHIEVING THE DREAM INC SILVER SPRING, MD | SERVING NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS WITH HOLISTIC STUDENT SUPPORT | $625,000 |
| AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS | CAPACITY BUILDING FOR CORE SERVICES | $500,000 |
| ALASKA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ANCHORAGE, AK | SUPPORT FOR ITS ASCA MUNARTET PROJECT | $760,000 |
| ALIA ST PAUL, MN | PROGRAMMING TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, REDUCE TRAUMA, AND BUILD COMMUNITIES | $1,000,000 |
| AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION MARTINSVILLE, IN | ACHIEVING ACCESS AT CAMP THROUGH COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING PROGRAMS | $750,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | CULTIVATING NATIVE STUDENT COLLEGE SUCCESS | $900,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | EMPOWERING RELATIVES EMERGENCY FUNDS | $500,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | SUPPORT FOR TIYATA WAN UNKAGAPI (WE ARE MAKING A HOME) | $400,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | WEAVING STRANDS OF KNOWLEDGE: NATIVE ARTS AND CULTURE GRANT | $800,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christine Morse – Board Chair
- Heather Kukla – President
- Paul Busch – Former President/CEO
- Shawn Wischmeier – Chief Investment Officer
- Naomi Horsager – Chief Financial Officer
- Kurian Thomas – Vice President of Programs
- Leeanne Huber – Director of Communications
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINE MORSE | BOARD CHAIR | 9 | $105,280 |
| RIGHT REVEREND JOHN CHANE | DIRECTOR | 4.5 | $52,350 |
| WIN NEUGER | DIRECTOR | 6 | $63,700 |
| STUART TOBISMAN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| PAUL BUSCH | DIRECTOR | 6 | $64,000 |
| KATHY ANNETTE | PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBER | 2 | $29,200 |
| KEVIN WASHINGTON | PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBER | 2 | $25,600 |
| ANTONIA HERNANDEZ | PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBER | 3 | $37,300 |
| HEATHER KUKLA | PRESIDENT | 50 | $897,649 |
| NAOMI HORSAGER | TREASURER/CFO | 50 | $631,982 |
| ELIZABETH BORER | SECRETARY & GEN COUNSEL | 50 | $424,774 |
| KURIAN THOMAS | VP OF PROGRAMS | 50 | $444,239 |
| SHAWN WISCHMEIER | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 50 | $2,600,920 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation released its 2024 Annual Report titled "The Power of Stories," featuring stories from its seven domains along with financial information. Recent initiatives include supporting rural teachers and strengthening communities, with particular focus on Montana's rural education landscape. The foundation has also announced new governance leadership and board transitions.
Foundation Takes Pains to Answer, \u2018What Would Margaret Do?\u2019 -\Contact Information
Main Office:
- Address: 6889 Rowland Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
- Phone: 952.540.4050
- Email: info@macphil.org
- Website: www.macphilanthropies.org
Media Contact:
- Leeanne Huber, Director of Communications
- Email: lhuber@macphil.org
- Phone: 952.460.7508
Local Initiatives (Minnesota) Inquiries:
- Email: localinfo@macphil.org
Grantee Portal: https://macp.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Margaret a Cargill Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To provide meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment. The foundation supports efforts to enhance quality of life and prevent and relieve suffering of children, families, and older adults; preserve and promote the environment and the arts; and encourage the humane treatment of animals. MACP develops and implements integrated grantmaking strategies across seven programmatic domains: • Arts & Cultures • Disaster Relief & Recovery • Environment • Anima…
How do I apply for a grant from Margaret a Cargill Foundation?
**Application Process:** Grant proposals are by invitation only. **Grant Range:** Varies significantly by program, ranging from thousands to multi-million dollar grants. Typical awards range from $100 to $8,100,000. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • The Minneapolis Foundation: $3,662,000 (support for Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund) • Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation: $3,550,000 (support for Donor Advised Fund) • Humane World for Animals: $3,405,000 (support for Pets for Life Program) • …
Where does Margaret a Cargill Foundation make grants?
National focus with emphasis on the Upper Midwest and international presence across 66 countries. The foundation supports initiatives in numerous states and international locations including Bali, Bangkok, and Nairobi.
What size grants does Margaret a Cargill Foundation award?
In 2024, Margaret a Cargill Foundation awarded 312 grants totaling $146.7M — an average of about $470K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Margaret a Cargill Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Margaret a Cargill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $156.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Margaret a Cargill Foundation's EIN?
Margaret a Cargill Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1758406. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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