Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation
The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Its charitable foundation, formed as the Chamber’s philanthropic arm, supports leadership development and workforce and education initiatives in the Saint Paul/East Metro area.
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation gave $239K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $80K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $238,582
- +57.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- -57.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $79,527
- +267.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $35,625
- Total assets
- $145,429
- +8.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 401 North Robert Street 150, St Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (612) 223-5000
Website: https://stpaulchamber.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation
Who Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce ($183K). Together the top 3 received $239K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 23 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated work centers on the Saint Paul/East Metro area. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Minnesota. The We Love Saint Paul and We Love Midway relief effort was limited to eligible businesses and nonprofits in specified Saint Paul areas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation gives
- Giving grew 29% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $63K (2019) to $1.5M (2020). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $239K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Saint Paul, MN | Pass-Through Grant Support | $182,957 |
| Action to Equity Saint Paul, MN | Pass-Through Grant Support | $35,625 |
| Grand Avenue Business Association Saint Paul, MN | Pass-Through Grant Support | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $145,429 | $414,306 | $472,344 | $238,582 | 3 | $9 |
| 2024 | $134,355 | $412,626 | $519,211 | $151,500 | 7 | $17 |
| 2023 | $181,741 | $284,896 | $395,788 | $89,962 | 2 | $245 |
| 2022 | $402,273 | $553,351 | $898,167 | $185,000 | 3 | $43 |
| 2021 | $674,268 | $845,015 | $884,802 | $137,686 | 8 | $16 |
| 2020 | $802,873 | $1,944,946 | $2,178,260 | $1,534,937 | 60 | $39 |
| 2019 | $1,127,129 | $1,147,362 | $1,047,669 | $62,500 | 1 | $96 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to make targeted investments to develop and support engaged leaders who enhance a vibrant East Metro business community. Its flagship Leadership Saint Paul program prepares and engages emerging and existing leaders through monthly program days, group community projects, and alumni programming. The foundation also supports events, meetings, and publications intended to advance civic, social, commercial, and economic interests in Saint Paul and the surrounding East Metro area.
In 2025, the foundation reported pass-through grant support to the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. The Chamber describes its mission as delivering programs, advocacy, and results that foster member growth. The Grand Avenue Business Association says its mission is to provide marketing, advocacy, and education to help member businesses prosper and enhance quality of life along the avenue and in the surrounding community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported three grants totaling $238,582. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $182,957, with a median of $35,625. The largest reported grants were:
The foundation’s We Love Saint Paul and We Love Midway relief effort was established with partner organizations to provide emergency support to small businesses and nonprofits affected by unrest. Its published guidelines described eligible applicants as small businesses or nonprofit organizations operating from a physical establishment in specified areas of Saint Paul, with at least three months of operation at that location and physical damage or property loss from unrest after May 25, 2020. The guidelines described grants awarded on a rolling basis until funds were exhausted; the website states that applications are now closed.
The foundation also administers the HERBIE Awards, which recognize one individual and one organization annually in the Saint Paul area and surrounding region. The awards are recognition programs, not described as grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brenda Kyle as president and treasurer; Kathleen Lohmar Exel as foundation director; Julia Jenson as chair; Scott Rynda and Jeff Pellegrom as treasurers; and Karyn Berg, Nicki Donlon, Therese Gales, Rob Glynn, and Blair Harrington as directors.
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation is led by Brenda Kyle, President & Treasurer since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 19 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brenda Kyle
President & Treasurer
President & Secretary → President & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Jenson
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Knutson
Director
Director → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Lohmar Exel
Foundation Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Post
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karyn Berg
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamara Prato
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicki Donlon
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Therese Gales
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blair Harrington
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Ordway
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Lawrence
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Lutz
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Madeline Rush
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Glynn
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea Malone
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Ladhoff
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Rynda
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Pellegrom
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Rachel Reiling (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Dana Cottrell (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Carole E. Wilkie (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: James Lockwood (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Suchi Sairam (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Patrick Sievert (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sara Swenson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Justin Bieganek (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Will Schroeer (2019–2022) — Executive Director & Ems
- Former: Gabi Randle (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Peter Jandric (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Boyum Barenscheer (2021) — Director
- Former: Daniel Moak (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jusitn Bieganek (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Shannon Thomasser (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Christina Koppang (2019) — Director
- Former: David Warch (2019) — Director
- Former: James Dougherty (2019) — Chair
- Former: Jill Skogheim (2019) — Director
- Former: Jim Mulrooney (2019) — Director
- Former: Sara Thatcher (2019) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation
How much does Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation give each year?
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation gave $239K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $152K across 7 grants.
What is Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $35,625, and its average grant was $79,527, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation give grants?
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Paul, MN (3 grants).
Does Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Pass-Through Grant Support" (3 grants).
How large is Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation?
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation reported $145K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $414K.
What does Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to make targeted investments to develop and support engaged leaders who enhance a vibrant East Metro business community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation?
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check stpaulchamber.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1378952. 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 July 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Figures come from Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable 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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