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Minndependent

Public charity · Grantmaker Edina, MN EIN: 41-1267531 Website

Minndependent connects and strengthens Minnesota's private and independent schools through programming, partnerships and public policy so members can be student-centered and mission-driven.our vision is a vibrant educational ecosystem that promotes success for all Minnesota students.we create meaningful professional development opportunities and resources for educators, educational leaders and school communities to build exceptional schools and deliver high-quality education for all students.we foster authentic relationships with funders, businesses and community organizations on behalf of member schools, resulting in grants, in-kind services and professional resources.we advocate with a focused and united voice for the interests of private and independent schools, ensuring that local and state policy makers will understand and support policies and practices that strengthen Minnesota's private and independent schools.

Minndependent at a glance

Total assets
$960,045
+1.5% vs 2024
Revenue (2025)
$728,534
-17.4% vs 2024
Net investment income (2025)
$30,315
+28.1% vs 2024
Expenses (2025)
$698,507
+6.8% vs 2024
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

How to apply to Minndependent

Who Minndependent funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

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

The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

States

Cities

ChaskaSt Louis ParkEast Grand ForksMahtomediMinnetonkaPlymouthWoodbury

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K$40K4 grants2019 5 grants2020 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 0 grants2024 0 grants2025

From 2019 to 2020, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2019) to $33K (2020). In 2020 it made 5 grants totaling $33K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
St Jude of the Lake Mahtomedi, MNSTEM Grant$6,915
Benilde-St Margarett's St Louis Park, MNSTEM Grant & Covid-19 Grant$6,825
Sacred Heart High School East Grand Forks, MNSTEM Grant & Covid-19 Grant$6,615
Southwest Christian High School Chaska, MNSTEM Grant$6,485
West Lutheran High School Plymouth, MNSTEM Grant & Covid-19 Grant$6,467
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$960,045$728,534$698,507——$30,315
2024$946,112$882,073$653,800——$23,670
2023$724,044$813,152$682,197——$1,471
2022$542,888$725,130$637,126——$376
2020$507,391$761,993$781,270$33,3075$824
2019$420,520$546,620$702,175$27,0854$1,795

About Minndependent

Based on IRS filings

Minndependent is a public charity focused on Education, based in Edina, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $960K in total assets. Net investment income was $30K.

Focus Areas

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Minndependent is led by Tim Benz, President on every filing since 2019; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Tim Benz

    President

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $148K (2019) → $166K (2025)

  • Michael Lamb

    Chairperson

    Vice Chairperson → Chair, 2023

    Chair → Chairperson, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Cassidy

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joel Landskroener

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Josh Killian

    Board Member

    Chairperson → Board Member, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kelly Regan

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Brennan

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Teri McCloughan

    Board Member

    Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2020

    Chairperson → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Timothy Berner

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brian Lynch

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Anna Lima

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dean Broadhead

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Hansen

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kate Wollan

    Vice Chairperson

    Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023

    Vice Chair → Vice Chairperson, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Heidi Gallus

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shana Duininck

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Blake Nelson

    Board Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (12)
  • Former: Wyayn Rasmussen (2019–2024) — Secretary
  • Former: Rosa Miller (2024) — Board Member Emeritus
  • Former: Veena Lakkundi (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Brian Sullivan (2022–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: John McCall (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Sumita B. Mitra (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Kari Staples (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Lynn Farmer (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Greg Chamberlain (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Phillis Karasov (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Randy Kroll (2019) — Treasurer
  • Former: Tom Delich (2019) — Board Member

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Tim Benz — President: $166KTim BenzPresident$166K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $166K, to Tim Benz (President).

Frequently asked questions about Minndependent

How large is Minndependent?

Minndependent reported $960K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $729K.

What is Minndependent?

Minndependent is a public charity focused on Education, based in Edina, MN. It holds $960K in total assets as of 2025.

Where does Minndependent operate?

Minndependent has awarded grants in Minnesota.

What is Minndependent's EIN?

Minndependent's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1267531. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Minndependent's focus areas in our free grants database

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Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Minnesota

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The Eagle Foundation funds educational institutions, youth and addiction services, and other organizations, with 2024 grants ranging from $1,815 to $300,000 and a median of $5,000. Most funding went to Minnesota, with additional grants in North Dakota, Iowa, Florida, and Wisconsin. The filing says applicants should submit a detailed description of their organization and proposed activities; it does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

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The Thielen Foundation supports youth development, especially sports, athletic facilities, scholarships, and assistance for families in need, with a focus on underserved youth. Its 2024 grants ranged from $7,500 to $100,000 (median $12,852), with most funding going to Minnesota and some to North Carolina. It accepts requests for weight-room renovations through an online questionnaire; the materials do not state whether it accepts other unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Kahr Foundation-Ima

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KAHR FOUNDATION-IMA funds schools and colleges, health and human services, and cultural organizations, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Minnesota recipients and smaller amounts to organizations in Massachusetts, Iowa, California, and Washington, D.C. In 2024, grants ranged from $529 to $1,624,120, with a median of $50,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

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CLB Foundation

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CLB Foundation supports Christian schools and education, pastoral internships, and organizations addressing abuse, trafficking, and survivor needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $36,699, and most funding went to Minnesota, followed by Florida. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

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Ernest S & Sally Micek Family Foundation

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Assets

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Wildcat Cove Foundation

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The Wildcat Cove Foundation supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, including medical and scientific research as well as other charitable work; its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. Giving was concentrated in California, with smaller grants in Florida, Minnesota, and New York. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

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Total Given

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More similar funders

More Funders in Minnesota

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Minndependent'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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