Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation
The Robert & Helen Remick CH Foundation is a private foundation based in Lakefield, Minnesota. The trustees make awards reflecting the founders’ interests, including support for young people and persons in crisis in Cottonwood and Jackson counties and nearby areas, as well as creative endeavors that benefit communities.
Key facts about Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation
In short: Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation gave $539K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in Minnesota. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 41-1950527
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $538,596
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- Average grant
- $24,482
- Median grant
- $9,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (6 of 22, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $9,669,594
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applicants must submit a written application; the Minnesota Common Grant Application is acceptable. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website lists October 1, 2026, as the next application deadline.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; 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 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.7M
+4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$539K
-32.1% YoY
Grant Count
22
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-32.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation reported a distributable amount of $704K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 22 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated focus reflects Robert and Helen Remick’s support for groups and endeavors assisting young people and persons in crisis, and their belief that lively and unique expressions of creativity benefit communities. Its history describes past gifts to organizations working in areas such as art education, scholarships, historical preservation, parenting classes, environmental programs, performing arts, schools, and alternative instruction.
The 2025 grants included support for school programs, youth career services, victim services, environmental programs, food and supplies, and library programs. Among the supported organizations, Southwest Crisis Center describes its mission as providing support, advocacy, and hope to people and families affected by sexual and domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and child abuse. Southwest Initiative Foundation describes work addressing regional economic self-reliance, human distress, and leadership coordination and partnerships. Business Arts and Recreation Center Inc. says it maintains a former school building for community business, arts, education, concerts, theater, social, and other uses.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $538,596. The grants ranged from $1,450 to $136,736, with a median of $9,000. The foundation’s website says grants generally range from $1,000 to $10,000 and that multi-year awards are rare.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $136,736 to Jackson County Central School for student success, agriculture and art programs, robotics, lyceums, and translation technology; $122,841 to Windom Area Schools for family and community engagement, mental health education, robotics, a planetarium program, books, and class trips; and $75,726 to Southwest Crisis Center for youth and victim services. Other notable awards included $33,248 to Westbrook Walnut Grove School, $30,000 to Prairie Ecology Bus Center, and $25,000 to Westbrook Area Volunteers.
Review Cycle
The website lists October 1, 2026, as the next application deadline. The filing states that deadlines are posted on the organization’s website and that there are four grant cycles per year.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a written application; the Minnesota Common Grant Application is acceptable. The 2025 filing says to mail four copies of the completed application and states that eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, units of government, and government-created organizations. The foundation’s website specifies 501(c)(3) applicants. The filing says projects must benefit the greater Windom area. It lists exclusions including individuals, endowments, annual campaigns, ongoing general operating funds, proposals duplicating existing services, religious activities, replacement of government funding, deficit funding, and political activities. The trustees may require additional information, and site visits may be part of evaluation. Multi-year applicants may be asked to submit an informal progress report and a financial statement on use of funds.
Ready to take the next step with Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing says grant applications are considered for projects designed to benefit the greater Windom area. The foundation’s website describes the founders’ support for groups in Cottonwood and Jackson counties and nearby areas. All 2025 grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $520K (2022) to $793K (2024). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $539K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jackson County Central School ($137K). Together the top 10 received $476K.
Grant Size Distribution
112 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 95 grants of 112 (85%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County Central School Jackson, MN | Student success program, ag and art programs, robotics, lyceums, translation technology | $136,736 |
| Windom Area Schools Windom, MN | Family & community engagement, engagement specialist, mental health education, robotics, planetarium program, books, class trips | $122,841 |
| Southwest Crisis Center Worthington, MN | Youth/Victim Services | $75,726 |
| Westbrook Walnut Grove School Westbrook, MN | Staff development, music and shop programs, special education program, sel program | $33,248 |
| Prairie Ecology Bus Center Lakefield, MN | Environmental Programs | $30,000 |
| Westbrook Area Volunteers Westbrook, MN | Swimming Pool Repairs | $25,000 |
| Mountain Lake Public Schools Mountain Lake, MN | Field Trips, Literacy Program, Community Education, Theater Performance | $17,905 |
| Southwest Initiative Foundation Hutchinson, MN | Grants and Programs | $15,000 |
| Southwest MN Private Industry Council Marshall, MN | Youth Career Program | $10,000 |
| The Windom Area Sharing Center Inc Windom, MN | Food and Supplies | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,669,594 | $1,212,877 | $825,850 | $538,596 |
| 2024 | $9,250,757 | $1,198,427 | $1,103,063 | $793,399 |
| 2023 | $9,162,653 | $836,701 | $889,828 | $634,506 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,669,594 | $9,250,757 | $9,162,653 |
| Revenue | $1,212,877 | $1,198,427 | $836,701 |
| Expenses | $825,850 | $1,103,063 | $889,828 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $632,815 | $913,843 | $685,062 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,029,167 | $1,001,652 | $627,068 |
| Distributable Amount | $704,387 | $689,282 | $481,054 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 27, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lynel Rae Nelson, Lynne Kessler, Jean Pike, and Michael Nesseth as trustees. The foundation’s website also identifies these four people as trustees.
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jean Pike
Trustee
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $17K (2025)
Lynel Rae Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $17K (2025)
Lynne Kessler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $22K (2025)
Michael Nesseth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$13K (2021) → $20K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Howard C. Davis (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $22K, to Lynne Kessler (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Patrick Costello
Mailing address: PO Box 123, Lakefield, MN 56150
Phone: (507) 662-6621
Website: https://remickfoundation.com
Frequently asked questions about Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation
How much does Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation give each year?
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation gave $539K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $793K across 22 grants.
What is Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $9,000, and its average grant was $24,482, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation give grants?
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Windom, MN (7 grants), Jackson, MN (4 grants), Mountain Lake, MN (3 grants) and Westbrook, MN (2 grants).
Does Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jackson County Central School ($136,736), Windom Area Schools ($122,841) and Southwest Crisis Center ($75,726), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation?
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation reported $9.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $633K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $704K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated focus reflects Robert and Helen Remick’s support for groups and endeavors assisting young people and persons in crisis, and their belief that lively and unique expressions of creativity benefit communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation?
Applicants must submit a written application; the Minnesota Common Grant Application is acceptable. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's EIN?
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1950527. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Jackson Health Care Foundation Inc
Jackson, MN
Assets
$410K
Grants
8
Total Given
$91K
Southwest Initiative Foundation
Hutchinson, MN
The Southwest Initiative Foundation funds community-led projects, nonprofits, local development, and programs supporting youth and families, older adults, welcoming communities, and regional needs in southwest Minnesota and the Upper and Lower Sioux communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,045 to $342,996, with a median of $15,000. It accepts grant ideas on an ongoing basis, though many grants are made through community foundation and designated-fund partners with their own application guidelines.
Assets
$123.4M
Grants
166
Total Given
$4.9M
Communitygiving
St Cloud, MN
COMMUNITYGIVING supports nonprofits, scholarships, and community initiatives through donor-established funds and some competitive grants, serving communities in Minnesota and Derby, Kansas. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,100 to $680,477, with a median of $15,528; listed competitive opportunities generally offer $5,000–$30,000. It accepts applications for competitive opportunities through its online grant system; availability and eligibility depend on each opportunity.
Assets
$282.6M
Grants
426
Total Given
$16.7M
Sanford Group Return
Sioux Falls, SD
Sanford Group Return funds health care access and outcomes, community wellbeing, workforce and education, and related community needs, including health professions education and research. In 2024, its median grant was $24,900, with awards ranging from $5,500 to $3.6 million; giving was concentrated in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Its Community Dividend Fund accepts online funding requests in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$4.3B
Grants
171
Total Given
$45.3M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
Sandve Heritage Foundation
Lake Park, IA
Assets
$853K
Grants
20
Total Given
$40K
Women's Foundation of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota funds community-led work advancing gender and racial justice, including safety, leadership, well-being and reproductive justice, and economic justice; grants support general operating expenses. Its giving varies: 2025 awards ranged from $5,250 to $340,000, with a median of $20,375, and primarily support organizations serving communities across Minnesota. Community Response, We Thrive, and sponsorship grants are invitation-only; the profile also lists the AURA Fund for Women as open.
Assets
$39.4M
Grants
90
Total Given
$3.9M
Frank J Zaher Charitable Trust
Lakefield, MN
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$60K
Otto Bremer Trust
St. Paul, MN
The Otto Bremer Trust funds organizations and projects addressing community needs and opportunities, including health care and social services, in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,500 to $4.2 million, with a median of $150,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or direct grant applications; Community Responsive Fund grants are offered through selected intermediaries.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
180
Total Given
$57.2M
Goodin Company Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
Assets
$350K
Grants
28
Total Given
$45K
Schwan's Corporate Giving Foundation
Marshall, MN
The foundation supports hunger relief, scholarships, youth programs, community organizations, and fundraising efforts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $155,000, with a median of $2,000; most funding went to Minnesota, followed by Illinois. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$6.8M
Grants
24
Total Given
$534K
The Minneapolis Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Foundation funds civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education, health, the environment, arts, and human services, with most grant dollars going to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. It says no funding opportunities are currently open; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
More Funders in Minnesota
Robert & Helen Remick Ch Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?