Pohlad Family Foundation
The Pohlad Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1993 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to improve the quality of life and opportunities for those most in need in the Twin Cities region. The foundation was founded by the late Carl and Eloise Pohlad. Carl Pohlad was a financier and banking mogul who created Marquette Bank (later sold to Wells Fargo in 2002) and served as Vice-President of Pohlad Companies, a diversified holding company. He was also known for his ownership of Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins, under which the team won two World Series championships, and for his partial ownership of the Minnesota Vikings from the mid-1980s to 1991.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$14.1M
+11.3% YoY
Grant Count
372
-22.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
+42.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's vision is for the Twin Cities' nationally recognized quality of life to be shared by all. The foundation's work centers on two strategic focus areas:
Housing Stability: Since 2018, the foundation has supported 86 nonprofit partners with more than $26 million in program grants focused on homelessness prevention and support for families and youth moving into stable housing. The foundation positions itself as the largest non-governmental funder in homelessness in the region.
Racial Justice: Efforts in this area aim to reduce persistent racial disparities for families and youth.
Grantmaking
The foundation awards grants across multiple categories including general operating support, program grants, project grants, and capital grants.
Grant Range
$625–$118,447 (varies by source)
Grant Types
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on the Twin Cities region (Minneapolis-St. Paul area) and Minnesota more broadly.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $76.4–$97 million (figures vary by source)
- Total Revenue: $3.06 million
- Total Expenses: $16.6 million
- Total Giving: $15.4 million
Historical Context (2023):
- Revenue: $4.34 million
- Expenses: $15 million
- Total Assets: $89.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation employs 8 staff members as of 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William M. Pohlad – Director/President
- Susan Bass Roberts – Executive Director (40 hours/week, $709,000 compensation as of 2024)
- James O. Pohlad – Director/Vice President
- Robert C. Pohlad – Director/Vice President
- Joseph C. Pohlad – Director
- Pamela E. Omann – Secretary/Treasurer
- Katherine L. McMillan – Director
- Elizabeth M. Lilly – Chief Investment Officer
- John Beuerlein – Executive Vice President
Susan Bass Roberts was named President of the Pohlad Family Foundation in January 2024, following nearly eight years of leadership as Vice President and Executive Director.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES O POHLAD | DIRECTOR/VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ROBERT C POHLAD | DIRECTOR/VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| WILLIAM M POHLAD | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | — | — |
| SUSAN BASS ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $709,257 |
| PAMELA E OMANN | SECRETARY/TREASURER | — | — |
| CARL R POHLAD DECEASED 152009 | NA | — | — |
| JOSEPH C POHLAD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| KATHERINE L MCMILLAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ELIZABETH M LILLY | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | — | — |
| JOHN BEUERLEIN | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ALEXANDRA R POHLAD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Susan Bass Roberts Named President** (January 2024): After nearly eight years as Vice President and Executive Director, Bass Roberts was promoted to President of the foundation.
**$5 Million Pledge to GroundBreak Coalition** (August 2023): The foundation pledged $5 million to the GroundBreak Coalition as part of its housing stability work.
PCHTF grants $400,000 to 11 local programs supporting housing stability in**Minneapolis Safe and Thriving Communities Initiative** (August 2023): The foundation partnered on the development of The Minneapolis Safe and Thriving Communities Initiative.
**MPHA Grant** (Recent): The foundation awarded $350,000 to Minneapolis Public Housing Authority for the Stable Schools Stable Homes program.
MPHA Secures $350,000 Grant from Pohlad Family Foundation for Stable Schools**University of Puget Sound Scholarship** (Recent): The Pohlad Family pledged $3 million to establish a scholarship for Minnesota students at the University of Puget Sound.
MPHA Secures $350,000 Grant from Pohlad Family Foundation for Stable Schools**$20 Million Pledge**: The foundation pledged up to $20 million to help Minnesota businesses and families.
Puget Sound Receives $3 Million Gift from Pohlad Family to Establish ScholarshipSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Spicola Family Foundation
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—
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Total Given
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The Geyer Family Foundation
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Donald and Luella Zibell Family Foundation
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Assets
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Minnesota Citizens Concerned
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
$745K
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2
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Clearway Minnesota (sm)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$442K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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