Minnesota Council on Foundations
Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) is a public charity based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Formed in 1975, it connects, strengthens, and mobilizes philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity. Its work includes supporting Minnesota communities through grants and partnerships, providing professional development and peer learning for grantmakers, and educating the public about philanthropy.
Minnesota Council on Foundations at a glance
In short: Minnesota Council on Foundations gave $1.0M across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,011,100
- +1585.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- +600.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,148
- +140.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $5,881,087
- +90.9% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to Minnesota Council on Foundations
- Contact
Mailing address: 2550 University Ave W 200N, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Phone: (612) 338-1989
Website: https://mcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Minnesota Council on Foundations funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was MN Secretary of State ($550K). Together the top 10 received $870K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 52 grants of 95 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MCF is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Its 2024 reported grants went entirely to Minnesota recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Minnesota Council on Foundations gives
- Giving fell 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2023) to $5.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MN Secretary of State St. Paul, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $550,000 |
| Minnesota Voice St. Paul, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $40,000 |
| Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop Minneapolis, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $40,000 |
| Leagure of Women Voters of Minnesota St. Paul, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $35,500 |
| Native American Community Development Institute Minneapolis, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $35,000 |
| Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Accion Latina-COPAL Education Fund Minneapolis, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $35,000 |
| Asian American Organizing Project Minneapolis, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $35,000 |
| American Indian Family Center St. Paul, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $32,300 |
| YMCA of the North - Center for Youth Voice Minneapolis, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $27,500 |
| Karen Organization of Minnesota Roseville, MN | Community support for inclusive democracy | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,881,087 | $6,431,608 | $3,582,987 | $1,011,100 | 21 | $33,074 |
| 2023 | $3,080,837 | $2,992,673 | $1,799,884 | $60,000 | 3 | $11,653 |
| 2022 | $1,994,364 | $3,511,463 | $3,340,550 | $1,691,000 | 28 | $3,073 |
| 2021 | $1,698,240 | $7,242,767 | $6,960,628 | $5,137,600 | 43 | $2,681 |
| 2020 | $1,666,356 | $2,250,561 | $2,352,384 | — | — | $3,319 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MCF’s mission is to connect, strengthen, and mobilize the power of philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity. Its stated work includes community engagement and civic health, grantmaker training and networking, public policy education, and public awareness of philanthropy.
In 2024, MCF reported grant support for organizations working on voter education related to new election laws and voting rights, as well as the launch of Press Forward Minnesota, an effort to strengthen local news and information. Among its grantees, Minnesota Voice describes its work as increasing civic engagement and voter participation; the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop provides creative-writing education and arts services to people incarcerated in Minnesota state prisons; and the American Indian Family Center provides programs and services enriched by traditional American Indian values and culture. Other 2024 grantees include organizations whose stated missions address refugee and immigrant wellbeing, employment and economic opportunity, and youth leadership.
Grantmaking
In 2024, MCF reported 21 grants totaling $1,011,100. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $550,000, with a median of $25,000. All listed 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota.
The largest award was $550,000 to the Minnesota Secretary of State for “Community support for inclusive democracy.” Other notable grants for that purpose included $40,000 each to Minnesota Voice and the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop; $35,500 to the League of Women Voters of Minnesota; and $35,000 each to the Native American Community Development Institute, COPAL Education Fund, and Asian American Organizing Project. MCF also awarded $32,300 to the American Indian Family Center, $27,500 to YMCA of the North – Center for Youth Voice, and $25,000 each to the Karen Organization of Minnesota and EMERGE Community Development.
MCF provides the Minnesota Common Grant as a shared application tool that funders may use in full or in part. Its guidance asks nonprofits to review each funder’s specific guidelines and application process, which may begin with an applicant readiness tool, a letter of inquiry, or another form of initial contact. Not all funders accept the Common Grant, and applicants are advised to follow each grantmaker’s instructions and submit only requested materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jenny Johnson as board chair, Flor Trevino Frey as vice chair, Matt Stowell as treasurer, and Nate Dorr as secretary until October 2024. Other listed directors are Dee Baskin, Kevin Bennett, Sarah Berger, Catie Bitzan Amundsen, Ambar Hanson, and Jennifer Higgins.
Minnesota Council on Foundations is led by Susan Brown, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susan Brown
President
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$155K (2020) → $176K (2024)
Jenny Johnson
Board Chair
Member → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Masiarchin - VP
Director of Member Services
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Matt Stowell
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ambar Hanson
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Link
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catie Bitzan Amundsen
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Higgins
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mai-Anh Tran
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Flor Trevino Frey
Vice Chair
Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Wilgers
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Jefferson
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Zimmerman
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dominic Papatola
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Bennett
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nate Dorr
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Berger
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dee Baskin
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Logelin
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katya Zepeda
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wakinyan LaPointe
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Ben Cameron (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Denise Mayotte (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Katherine Friesz (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Lulete Mola (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Marcus Pope (2021–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Paul Masiarchin (2022–2023) — Vice President & Director of Member Services
- Former: Anna Wasescha (2023) — Member
- Former: Aretha Green-Rupert (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Diana Anderson (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Jaci David (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Michael Dominowski (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Nancy Zallek (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Sarah Lovan (2022) — Member
- Former: Erik Torch (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Kim Borton (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Leslie Wright (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Repa Mekha (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Frank Forsberg (2020) — Member
- Former: Judson McNeil (2020) — Member
- Former: Kate Seng (2020) — Member
- Former: Mai-Anh Kapanke (2020) — Member
- Former: Sarah Duniway (2020) — Member
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 $176K, to Susan Brown (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Council on Foundations
How much does Minnesota Council on Foundations give each year?
Minnesota Council on Foundations gave $1.0M across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $60K across 3 grants.
What is Minnesota Council on Foundations's typical grant size?
Minnesota Council on Foundations's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $48,148, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Minnesota Council on Foundations give grants?
Minnesota Council on Foundations 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 Minneapolis, MN (10 grants) and St. Paul, MN (6 grants).
Does Minnesota Council on Foundations give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Minnesota Council on Foundations's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community support for inclusive democracy" (13 grants) and "Community support for census and redistricting" (8 grants).
Who are Minnesota Council on Foundations's largest grantees?
Minnesota Council on Foundations's largest 2024 grantees include MN Secretary of State ($550,000), Native American Community Development Institute ($42,500 across 2 grants) and Asian American Organizing Project ($42,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Minnesota Council on Foundations?
Minnesota Council on Foundations reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.4M.
What does Minnesota Council on Foundations fund?
MCF’s mission is to connect, strengthen, and mobilize the power of philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity. Its stated work includes community engagement and civic health, grantmaker training and networking, public policy education, and public awareness of philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Minnesota Council on Foundations?
Minnesota Council on Foundations has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check mcf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Minnesota Council on Foundations's EIN?
Minnesota Council on Foundations's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1269275. 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
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 2, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Minnesota Council on Foundations's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Minnesota Council on Foundations funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/minnesota-council-on-foundations-morg_99a911b81f8a47399e3c918edc217ad1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411269275_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Minnesota Council on Foundations funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/minnesota-council-on-foundations-morg_99a911b81f8a47399e3c918edc217ad1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Council on Foundations'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 Council on Foundations down — hundreds of funders to go?