Robert E Fraser Foundation
The Robert E Fraser Foundation is a private foundation based in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations working in areas including children’s wellbeing, emergency assistance, youth services, and food access.
Robert E Fraser Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert E Fraser Foundation gave $210K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Minnesota. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $210,000
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,000
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,923,330
- -3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (8 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert E Fraser Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 18171 82Nd Pl N, Maple Grove, MN 55311
Phone: (612) 963-7707
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert E Fraser Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was NW Foundation NW Missouri State Uni ($25K). Together the top 10 received $160K.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 66 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 69% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota, 19% to recipients in California, and 12% to recipients in Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert E Fraser Foundation open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 15 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 33% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 163% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2021) to $300K (2020). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $210K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NW Foundation NW Missouri State Uni Maryville, MO | General Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| RS Eden Minneapolis, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Sharing and Caring Hands Minneapolis, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children Minneapolis, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Families Forward Learning Center Pasadena, CA | General Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Bolder Options Minneapolis, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| Feeding Our Communities Partners Mankato, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Ampersand Families Saint Paul, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| St Peter Childrens Weekend Food P Saint Peter, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| My Very Own Bed Minneapolis, MN | General Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert E Fraser Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,923,330 | $216,348 | $312,979 | $210,000 | 15 | $247,508 | $150,877 | $191,127 |
| 2023 | $3,018,247 | $262,084 | $275,436 | $180,000 | 12 | $216,980 | $203,628 | $179,252 |
| 2022 | $3,031,599 | $-15,992 | $268,022 | $165,000 | 12 | $187,153 | $45,653 | $177,976 |
| 2021 | $3,316,685 | $333,617 | $179,058 | $80,000 | 5 | $129,049 | $283,608 | $214,021 |
| 2020 | $3,162,155 | $138,236 | $396,616 | $300,000 | 22 | — | $78,278 | $201,831 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert E Fraser Foundation reported a distributable amount of $191K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose work includes child and family services, support for people in need, youth development, and efforts to address hunger. For example, Washburn Center for Children says it provides therapeutic and healing services to support children’s social, emotional, and behavioral development, while Feeding Our Communities Partners says it works with its community to address youth hunger.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $210,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $25,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Notable awards included $25,000 to NW Foundation NW Missouri State Uni; $20,000 each to RS Eden, Sharing and Caring Hands, Washburn Center for Children, and Families Forward Learning Center; and $15,000 to Bolder Options. The listed grants were for general charitable purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Edwin L Chanin as President; George P Fraser and Diane Carlson as Vice Presidents; and Emily Brown, Stuart Carlson, and Gwendolyn Carlson as Directors.
Robert E Fraser Foundation is led by Edwin L Chanin, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Edwin L Chanin
President
President-Elect → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$18K (2021) → $18K (2024)
Emily Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Gwendolyn Carlson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Stuart Carlson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Diane Carlson
Vice President
Vice President, Treasurer & Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2024)
George P Fraser
Vice President
Vice President & Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: William A. Haug (2020) — President, Secretary & Director
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 $18K, to Edwin L Chanin (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert E Fraser Foundation
How much does Robert E Fraser Foundation give each year?
Robert E Fraser Foundation gave $210K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $180K across 12 grants.
What is Robert E Fraser Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert E Fraser Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,000, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert E Fraser Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does Robert E Fraser Foundation give grants?
Robert E Fraser Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (19%) and Missouri (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (8 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Robert E Fraser Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert E Fraser Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert E Fraser Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert E Fraser Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include NW Foundation NW Missouri State Uni ($25,000), RS Eden ($20,000) and Sharing and Caring Hands ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert E Fraser Foundation?
Robert E Fraser Foundation reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $248K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $191K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert E Fraser Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose work includes child and family services, support for people in need, youth development, and efforts to address hunger. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert E Fraser Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert E Fraser Foundation's EIN?
Robert E Fraser Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1710355. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robert E Fraser Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert E Fraser Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-e-fraser-foundation-morg_71b2cf658e374800865638479b23d3ad
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411710355_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert E Fraser Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-e-fraser-foundation-morg_71b2cf658e374800865638479b23d3ad},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Robert E Fraser Foundation'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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