Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is based in Burnsville, Minnesota, and is listed as a public charity. Founded by Minnesota corn farmers in 1978, it represents farmers in public policy discussions and works to identify opportunities for growers while enhancing quality of life. MCGA works jointly with the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council to set direction for Minnesota Corn and review potential checkoff investments; the council approves checkoff-funded investments.
Minnesota Corn Growers Association at a glance
In short: Minnesota Corn Growers Association gave $748K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $36K), mostly in Minnesota. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $748,390
- +54.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $35,638
- +54.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,540
- Total assets
- $3,635,166
- -10.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (6 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (59% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Minnesota Corn Growers Association
- How to Apply
-
Research and sponsorship applicants submit proposals through the online portal after creating an account. Scholarship applicants also apply through the portal; eligibility requires current MCGA membership and full-time enrollment at a post-secondary undergraduate institution or trade school for the fall 2026 semester. The association’s scholarship page says it is no longer accepting applications for 2026.
- Review Cycle
- FY26 research proposals were due by 3:00 p.m. CST on January 16, 2026. FY26 sponsorship submissions were due by 5:00 p.m. CST on January 9, 2026. Scholarship applications were due by 10:00 p.m. CST on January 4, 2026.
- Deadline
- FY26 research proposals were due by 3:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 500 E Travelers Trail 600, Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: (952) 233-0333
Website: https://mncorn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Minnesota Corn Growers Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Renewable Fuel Association ($150K). Together the top 10 received $668K.
Grant Size Distribution
116 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 88 grants of 116 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 59% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota, 30% to Missouri, 7% to Texas, and 1% each to California and Arkansas. The association’s research program focuses on corn production in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Minnesota Corn Growers Association open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 20 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−12%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $486K (2024) to $1.1M (2019). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $748K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Renewable Fuel Association Ellisville, MO | Education & Awareness | $150,000 |
| MN Ag In The Classroom Bemiji, MN | Education & Awareness | $100,000 |
| Gophers Sports Properties Kansas City, MO | Education & Awareness | $77,700 |
| MN Agriculture and Rural Leadership Marshall, MN | Education & Awareness | $65,000 |
| Fluence Media St. Louis, MN | Education & Awareness | $60,000 |
| Fluence Media St. Louis, MN | Education & Awareness | $60,000 |
| Farm Policy Facts Austin, TX | Education & Awareness | $50,000 |
| MN Soybean Growers Association Mankato, MN | Education & Awareness | $40,000 |
| U of MN Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Education & Awareness | $34,250 |
| Department of Agriculture St. Paul, MN | Education & Awareness | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Minnesota Corn Growers Association?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,635,166 | $5,122,747 | $5,251,028 | $748,390 | 21 | $131,999 |
| 2024 | $4,060,281 | $5,564,983 | $5,616,571 | $485,572 | 21 | $69,167 |
| 2023 | $3,818,427 | $5,635,866 | $5,784,893 | $782,564 | 21 | $39,307 |
| 2022 | $3,976,064 | $6,629,781 | $6,738,061 | $850,506 | 23 | $346 |
| 2021 | $4,037,719 | $5,971,118 | $6,183,836 | $570,099 | 30 | $-82,670 |
| 2020 | $4,637,072 | $5,494,392 | $5,750,645 | $730,368 | 33 | $567 |
| 2019 | $4,284,488 | $6,156,214 | $6,040,604 | $1,071,100 | 26 | $683 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MCGA’s stated mission is to “identify and promote opportunities for corn growers while enhancing quality of life.”
Its programs support independent research to improve corn production practices and develop new uses and markets for corn, ethanol, and ethanol co-products. The association describes research interests including nutrient management, water quality, value-added products, and agricultural practices. Its engagement work includes promoting and educating people about corn and farming, supporting county corn organizations, and partnering with community and agricultural groups.
The 2025 grants included education and awareness support for organizations such as Minnesota Ag in the Classroom and the Minnesota FFA Foundation. The Minnesota FFA Foundation says its mission is to provide financial support to FFA programs and students in Minnesota. National Agriculture in the Classroom, another 2025 recipient, says its mission is to increase agricultural literacy in K–12 education so agriculture is valued by all. The Illinois Corn Growers Association, also a recipient, says it works to create and maintain opportunities for Illinois corn growers through government affairs, market development, education, and member services.
Grantmaking
In 2025, MCGA reported 21 grants totaling $748,390. Awards ranged from $5,500 to $150,000, with a median of $11,540. The listed purposes for its largest grants were education and awareness. Recipients included the Renewable Fuel Association ($150,000), MN Ag in the Classroom ($100,000), Gophers Sports Properties ($77,700), MN Agriculture and Rural Leadership ($65,000), Fluence Media ($60,000), Farm Policy Facts ($50,000), MN Soybean Growers Association ($40,000), and the University of Minnesota Foundation ($34,250).
As of July 2025, Minnesota Corn uses an online portal for research RFPs, sponsorships, and scholarships. The research program funds projects aimed at increasing the productivity, efficiency, and profitability of corn production in Minnesota. The sponsorship program supports organizations and programs focused on engaging younger generations, developing agricultural leaders, creating pillars of sustainability, and sharing agriculture’s story with the non-farm public. The scholarship program provides four $5,000 awards to eligible MCGA young adult members pursuing agricultural degrees or careers; these are scholarships for individuals rather than grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James Kanten as president, Wesley Beck as vice president, Todd Wentzel as treasurer, and Rob Tate as secretary. Board members listed are Bryan Biegler, Angela Guentzel, Dana Allen-Tully, Blair Hoseth, Brad Neumann, and James Johnstad. The organization’s materials identify Adam Birr as its executive director and CEO.
Minnesota Corn Growers Association is led by Adam Birr, Executive Director & CEO on every filing since 2019; all 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Adam Birr
Executive Director & CEO
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$170K (2019) → $268K (2025)
James Kanten
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2023
15 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Amanda Bilek
Senior Public Policy Director
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$100K (2022) → $125K (2025)
Wuraola Olusanya-Oyebamiji
Senior Finance Director & CFO
Senior Finance Director → Senior Finance Director & CFO, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$98K (2024) → $120K (2025)
Barbara Boelk
Senior Communications Director
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$115K (2024) → $102K (2025)
Melissa Gilbertson
Director of Grower Svcs & Ops
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Blair Hoseth
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$4K (2019) → $6K (2025)
Bryan Biegler
Board Member
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$5K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Dana Allen-Tully
Board Member
Vice President → President, 2024
President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$744 (2020) → $7K (2025)
DJ Van Klompenburg
Board Member
Board Member - → Board Member, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2025)
Harold Wolle
Board Member
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $14K (2025)
Richard Syverson
Board Member
Vice President → President, 2023
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$4K (2019) → $7K (2025)
Tim Waibel
Board Member
Vice President → President, 2021
President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$6K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Angela Guentzel
Board Member
Board Member - → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2021) → $7K (2025)
Todd Wentzel
Treasurer
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$4K (2021) → $9K (2025)
Wesley Beck
Vice President
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $13K (2025)
Brad Neumann
Board Member
Board Member- → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $6K (2025)
Clayton Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$4K (2024) → $4K (2025)
Nick Peterson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$4K (2024) → $7K (2025)
Gregg Muehler
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$5K (2025)
James Johnstad
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$4K (2025)
Nathan Serbus
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$4K (2025)
Rob Tate
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$7K (2025)
Former officers (24)
- Former: Brian Thalmann (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: John Swanson (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tom Haag (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Tate (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Ellyn Oelfke (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Henning (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Suzanne Swenson (2019–2023) — Senior Finance Director
- Former: Timothy Waibel (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Kanten (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Les Anderson (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jocelyn Schlichting (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Meghan Doyle (2022) — Senior Committee Director -
- Former: Jean Knakmuhs (2019–2021) — Board Member-
- Former: Mark Mamerlinck (2019–2021) — Assistant Executive Director
- Former: Noah Hultgren (2019–2021) — Board Member-
- Former: Jocelyn Hicks (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Charles Degrote (2019–2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Dan Root (2019–2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Kirby Hettver (2019–2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Jocelyn Schlichting-Hicks (2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Bruce Peterson (2019) — Board Member -
- Former: Dale Tolifson (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Gerald Mulder (2019) — Board Member -
- Former: Ryan Buck (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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $268K, to Adam Birr (Executive Director/CEO). 23 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Corn Growers Association
How much does Minnesota Corn Growers Association give each year?
Minnesota Corn Growers Association gave $748K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $486K across 21 grants.
What is Minnesota Corn Growers Association's typical grant size?
Minnesota Corn Growers Association's median grant in 2025 was $11,540, and its average grant was $35,638, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Minnesota Corn Growers Association that year got $19K on average.
Where does Minnesota Corn Growers Association give grants?
Minnesota Corn Growers Association gives mostly in Minnesota: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Missouri (30%) and Texas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MN (2 grants), Mankato, MN (2 grants), Minneapolis, MN (2 grants) and St. Paul, MN (2 grants).
Does Minnesota Corn Growers Association give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Minnesota Corn Growers Association's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education & Awareness" (21 grants).
Who are Minnesota Corn Growers Association's largest grantees?
Minnesota Corn Growers Association's largest 2025 grantees include Renewable Fuel Association ($150,000), Fluence Media ($120,000 across 2 grants) and MN Ag In The Classroom ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Minnesota Corn Growers Association?
Minnesota Corn Growers Association reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.1M.
What does Minnesota Corn Growers Association fund?
MCGA’s stated mission is to “identify and promote opportunities for corn growers while enhancing quality of life.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Minnesota Corn Growers Association?
Research and sponsorship applicants submit proposals through the online portal after creating an account. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Minnesota Corn Growers Association's EIN?
Minnesota Corn Growers Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1369512. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 26, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Minnesota Corn Growers Association's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Minnesota Corn Growers Association funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/minnesota-corn-growers-association-morg_c2e9f5453afa40e88cb4a40a7df95d97
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411369512_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Minnesota Corn Growers Association funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/minnesota-corn-growers-association-morg_c2e9f5453afa40e88cb4a40a7df95d97},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Minnesota Corn Growers Association'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.
Minnesota Corn Growers Association down — hundreds of funders to go?