Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Minnetonka, MN EIN: 41-1925821

The Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation is a private foundation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It makes grants to charitable organizations, including organizations supporting Catholic education and other charitable work.

Key facts about Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation

In short: Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation gave $658K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), mostly in Minnesota. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
41-1925821
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$658,000
Grants made (2024)
12
Average grant
$54,833
Median grant
$17,500
New grantees (estimate)
9% first-time grantees (1 of 11, 2024; small sample)
Total assets
$2,521,496
Primary geography
Minnesota (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.5M

-3.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$658K

-13.6% YoY

Grant Count

12

-47.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$55K

+65.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $107K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation open to new grantees?

9%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 1 of 11 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $64K. How we count

Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.

  • 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 652% 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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as planning and carrying out grant-making to other unrelated charitable organizations. Its 2024 grants included support for a scholarship fund, general operations, and named campaigns.

Among the grantees, Aim Higher Foundation says it provides scholarships to students from families with demonstrated financial need who seek a Catholic education for their children. Creighton University describes itself as a Catholic and Jesuit comprehensive university. St. Catherine University says it educates women to lead and influence, integrating liberal arts and professional education within the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Grantmaking

The foundation reported 12 grants totaling $658,000 in 2024. The grants ranged from $1,000 to $250,000, with a median of $17,500. In 2023, it reported 23 grants totaling $761,500; in 2022, it reported 23 grants totaling $757,500.

Its largest 2024 grants included $250,000 to Aim Higher Foundation for general operations and $250,000 to Catholic Relief Services for the Go Far Campaign. Other notable awards were $50,000 to Creighton University for a scholarship fund, $25,000 to the University of Notre Dame for the Mendoza College-O’Hara Society Fund, and $25,000 to Aim Higher Foundation for its Night of Life Campaign.

How to Apply

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

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, recipients in Minnesota received 50% of grant dollars, Maryland 38%, Nebraska 8%, Indiana 5%, and Iowa 0%.

Grant Distribution by State

11states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.

Cities

St. PaulMinneapolisPlymouthWayzataNotre DameBaltimoreMendota HeightsWashingtonWaterlooPine RiverCarol StreemOmahaCharlotteDenverAustinChicagoEdinaGibbonMinnetonkaMomaha

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K$800K29 grants2020 25 grants2021 23 grants2022 23 grants2023 12 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $658K (2024) to $787K (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $658K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Aim Higher Foundation: $275K across 2 grantsAim Higher Foundation$275K · 2 grantsCatholic Relief Services: $250KCatholic Relief Services$250KCreighton University: $50KCreighton University$50KUniversity of Notre Dame: $25KUniversity of Notre Dame$25KCatholic Services Appeal Foundation: $20KCatholic Services AppealFoundation$20KHoly Name of Jesus Catholic Church: $15KHoly Name of Jesus CatholicChurch$15KRisen Christ Catholic School: $10KRisen Christ Catholic School$10KCongregation of Holy Cross: $5KCongregation of Holy Cross$5KInterfaith Outreach and Community Partners: $5KInterfaith Outreach andCommunity Partners$5KSt Catherine University: $2KSt Catherine University$2K

The largest 2024 recipient was Aim Higher Foundation ($275K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $657K.

Grant Size Distribution

112 grants across all recorded years

91<$50K12$50–100K$100–250K9$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 112 (81%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Aim Higher Foundation St. Paul, MNGeneral Operations$250,000
Catholic Relief Services Baltimore, MDGo Far Campaign$250,000
Creighton University Omaha, NEScholarship Fund$50,000
University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INMendoza College-O'Hara Society Fund$25,000
Aim Higher Foundation St. Paul, MNNight of Life Campaign$25,000
Catholic Services Appeal Foundation St. Paul, MNGeneral Operations$20,000
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Wayzata, MNGeneral Operations$15,000
Risen Christ Catholic School Minneapolis, MNGeneral Operations$10,000
Congregation of Holy Cross Notre Dame, INHope to Bring Capital Campaign$5,000
Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners Plymouth, MNGeneral Operations$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Grant total Number of grants
2024 $658,000 12
2023 $761,500 23
2022 $757,500 23
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$250K$500K$750K$1M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,521,496$2,616,255$2,998,348
Revenue$508,868$479,278$133,659
Expenses$718,641$779,769$786,038
Qualifying Distributions$700,643$775,284$771,183
Net Investment Income$224,845$741,136$108,126
Distributable Amount$107,427$111,174$159,208

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Mark Rauenhorst as VP/Secretary/Chair, Karen Rauenhorst as President, and Tammy Crosby as VP/Treasurer/Director.

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation is led by Karen Rauenhorst, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Karen Rauenhorst

    President

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mark Rauenhorst

    Vice President, Secretary & Chair

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tammy Crosby

    Vice President, Treasurer & Director

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 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.

Contact

Mailing address: Co Tax Dept 10350 Bren Rd W, Minnetonka, MN 55343-9014
Phone: (952) 656-4802

Frequently asked questions about Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation

How much does Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation give each year?

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation gave $658K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $762K across 23 grants.

What is Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's typical grant size?

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $54,833, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation that year got $15K on average.

Where does Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation give grants?

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (38%) and Nebraska (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Paul, MN (4 grants) and Notre Dame, IN (2 grants).

Does Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 50% of Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's largest grantees?

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Aim Higher Foundation ($275,000 across 2 grants), Catholic Relief Services ($250,000) and Creighton University ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation?

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $701K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $107K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation fund?

The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as planning and carrying out grant-making to other unrelated charitable organizations. Its 2024 grants included support for a scholarship fund, general operations, and named campaigns. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation?

The foundation 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 Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's EIN?

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1925821. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does Mark and Karen Rauenhorst 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.

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mark-and-karen-rauenhorst-foundation-morg_40b733e519994bff8f280a676c9f7924

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411925821_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/mark-and-karen-rauenhorst-foundation-morg_40b733e519994bff8f280a676c9f7924},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

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Figures come from Mark and Karen Rauenhorst 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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