Saunders Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Minneapolis, MN EIN: 36-3526690

Saunders Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $122K. Net investment income was $51K.

Saunders Family Foundation at a glance

In short: Saunders Family Foundation gave $122K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), top state Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$122,000
+2.4% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
5
-16.7% vs 2024
Average grant
$24,400
+22.9% vs 2024
Median grant
$20,000
Total assets
$1,999,396
-3.9% vs 2024
Primary geography
Wisconsin (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who Saunders Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2025

Webster High School: $60KWebster High School$60KDunwoody College of Technology: $20KDunwoody College of Technology$20KTrustees of Tufts College: $20KTrustees of Tufts College$20KBanyan Community: $17KBanyan Community$17KThe Blake School: $5KThe Blake School$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was Webster High School ($60K). Together the top 5 received $122K.

Grant Size Distribution

31 grants across all recorded years

28<$50K3$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 31 (90%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

MinneapolisWebsterHopkinsSomervilleGolden ValleySt. Paul

How Saunders Family Foundation gives

  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 125% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K2 grants2019 5 grants2020 5 grants2021 7 grants2022 8 grants2023 6 grants2024 5 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2019) to $132K (2022). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $122K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Webster High School Webster, WIGeneral Support$60,000
Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$20,000
Trustees of Tufts College Somerville, MAGeneral Support$20,000
Banyan Community Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$17,000
The Blake School Hopkins, MNGeneral Support$5,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Saunders Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$1,999,396$68,923$150,983$122,0005$126,458$51,312$101,428
2024$2,081,456$253,993$139,553$119,1606$122,908$237,348$96,245
2023$1,967,182$-48,603$152,068$128,3808$134,337$26,408$91,896
2022$2,168,950$-21,457$157,940$131,5007$133,188$18,138$98,158
2021$2,348,334$1,487,415$153,176$104,5005$107,377$1,459,952$92,245
2020$1,014,701$115,120$124,384$102,5005—$95,222$93,292
2019$1,024,507$128,107$81,840$54,5002—$108,824$81,313

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Saunders Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $101K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Saunders Family Foundation is led by Christina Saunders, President since 2021 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Christina Saunders

    President

    Co-President → President, 2021

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $3K (2019) → $3K (2025)

  • Alyssa Bigham

    Secretary

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jackson Saunders

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Tim March (2021) — Treasurer
  • Former: John Saunders (2019–2020) — Secretary
  • Former: Sallie S. March (2019–2020) — Vice President
  • Former: Susan Zoidis (2019–2020) — Co-President

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Christina Saunders — President: $3KChristina SaundersPresident$3K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $3K, to Christina Saunders (President).

Frequently asked questions about Saunders Family Foundation

How much does Saunders Family Foundation give each year?

Saunders Family Foundation gave $122K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $119K across 6 grants.

What is Saunders Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Saunders Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $24,400, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Saunders Family Foundation give grants?

Saunders Family Foundation's top state is Wisconsin, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Minnesota (34%) and Massachusetts (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (2 grants).

Does Saunders Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Saunders Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Saunders Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Saunders Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Webster High School ($60,000), Dunwoody College of Technology ($20,000) and Trustees of Tufts College ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Saunders Family Foundation?

Saunders Family Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $126K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $101K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Saunders Family Foundation's EIN?

Saunders Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3526690. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(3)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 28, 2020)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 12, 2026)
  3. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Saunders Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Minnesota

James Ford Bell Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The James Ford Bell Foundation funds organizations in areas including museums, history, the arts, early childhood and family support, conservation, health, and human services, with most recent grant dollars going to Minnesota and Florida. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $210,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$2.0M

Grants

57

Total Given

$566K

Mortenson Family Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The Mortenson Family Foundation funds work supporting children and families in Minnesota’s seven-county metro area, environmental systems in Minnesota, and community-led development in developing countries. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $250,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts applications when a grant opportunity is open; no general unsolicited-request process is stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$141.8M

Grants

262

Total Given

$6.2M

Maggie Applauds Great Goals in Education Inc

Wayzata, MN

MAGGIE APPLAUDS GREAT GOALS IN supports schools, colleges, recovery services, and community and arts organizations, primarily in Minnesota, with scholarships for Madeline Island, Wisconsin, residents. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,500 to $500,000, with a median of $10,000. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; application forms are available upon written request, and no deadline is listed.

Assets

$30.4M

Grants

15

Total Given

$1.3M

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

Firefly Scientists Foundation

St. Louis, MO

The foundation funds novel, practical solutions that help people with chronic or permanent disabilities, illnesses, or injuries participate and connect in their communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $3,000 to $450,000, with a median of $50,000, and most funding went to Minnesota; it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$74.9M

Grants

49

Total Given

$3.6M

Wem Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

WEM Foundation’s 2023 filing describes support for nonprofit human-service agencies and programs addressing women’s education, economic stability, shelter, safety, and health, with a stated focus on the seven-county Twin Cities metro area; reported grants also went to organizations in other states. In 2023, its median grant was $550,000, though awards ranged widely, and it accepts only requests from preselected charities—not unsolicited applications. The filing is marked as a final return.

Assets

—

Grants

135

Total Given

$359.5M

More similar funders

More Funders in Minnesota

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Saunders Family 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.

Saunders Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?