Sewell Family Foundation
Sewell Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Edina, Minnesota. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations for purposes including arts education and appreciation and community service.
Sewell Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Sewell Family Foundation gave $164K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Minnesota. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $163,500
- +1.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,540
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $2,909,195
- -4.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (12 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (83% 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 Sewell Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing lists Laura Sewell as the contact and requests a tax-exempt letter, past and present program information, a budget, and related materials. It reports no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Laura Sewell
Mailing address: 3300 Edinbourough Way 420, Edina, MN 55435
Phone: (952) 392-4474
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sewell Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ballet Works Inc ($51K). Together the top 10 received $131K.
Grant Size Distribution
135 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 135 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Minnesota received 83% of the foundation’s 2024 grant dollars. Other recipient states were New Mexico (8%), Michigan (3%), New York (3%), and Montana (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sewell Family Foundation open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 25 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 44% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 68% 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 (2020–2024). 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 $145K (2021) to $181K (2020). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $164K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet Works Inc Minneapolis, MN | Arts Education & Appreciation | $51,000 |
| International Cello Institute Northfield, MN | Arts Education & Appreciation | $16,000 |
| National Ghost Ranch Foundation Abiquiu, NM | Arts Education & Appreciation | $13,000 |
| Animal Humane Society Golden Valley, MN | Community Service | $11,000 |
| Walker West Music Academy St. Paul, MN | Arts Education & Appreciaiton | $10,000 |
| Comusication St. Paul, MN | Arts Education & Appreciation | $7,500 |
| Womens Club of Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN | Community Service | $7,500 |
| Creative Enterprise Zone St. Paul, MN | Community Service | $5,000 |
| Helping Hands for Relief & Developm Southfield, MI | Community Service | $5,000 |
| St Paul Conservatory of Music St. Paul, MN | Arts Education & Appreciation | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sewell Family 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 | $2,909,195 | $326,682 | $459,250 | $163,500 | 25 | $179,050 | $67,665 | $263,952 |
| 2023 | $3,040,529 | $289,574 | $513,063 | $161,500 | 24 | $176,301 | $16,057 | $254,868 |
| 2022 | $2,494,500 | $68,401 | $212,710 | $172,000 | 25 | $179,500 | $48,015 | $110,671 |
| 2021 | $2,638,809 | $617,897 | $174,846 | $145,000 | 28 | $152,500 | $594,846 | $124,847 |
| 2020 | $2,195,758 | $19,020 | $207,737 | $181,000 | 33 | — | $23,444 | $108,156 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sewell Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $264K 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 foundation mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include support for arts education and appreciation and community service. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of work represented: Ballet Works Inc says it works to transform dance, artists, and audiences through collaboration, education, and equitable opportunities; Walker West Music Academy describes a music-learning community rooted in the African-American cultural experience; and Animal Humane Society says it provides reduced-cost wellness and spay/neuter services for people in need.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $163,500. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $51,000, with a median of $3,000. The largest grants included $51,000 to Ballet Works Inc, $16,000 to International Cello Institute, and $13,000 to National Ghost Ranch Foundation. Other notable grants included $11,000 to Animal Humane Society and $10,000 to Walker West Music Academy.
The foundation reported 24 grants totaling $161,500 in 2023 and 25 grants totaling $172,000 in 2022.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Laura Sewell as president/director, Gloria Sewell as vice president/director, and James Sewell as secretary/treasurer.
Sewell Family Foundation is led by Laura Sewell, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laura Sewell
President & Director
On filings since 2020
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Gloria Sewell
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
James Sewell
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Frederick Sewell (2020–2022) — Vice President & 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 $10K, to Laura Sewell (Pres/Directo).
Frequently asked questions about Sewell Family Foundation
How much does Sewell Family Foundation give each year?
Sewell Family Foundation gave $164K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $162K across 24 grants.
What is Sewell Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Sewell Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $6,540, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sewell Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Sewell Family Foundation give grants?
Sewell Family Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Mexico (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Paul, MN (8 grants), Minneapolis, MN (3 grants) and Golden Valley, MN (2 grants).
Does Sewell Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Sewell Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts Education & Appreciation" (12 grants) and "Community Service" (8 grants).
Who are Sewell Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Sewell Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ballet Works Inc ($51,000), International Cello Institute ($16,000) and National Ghost Ranch Foundation ($13,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sewell Family Foundation?
Sewell Family Foundation reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $179K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $264K (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 Sewell Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include support for arts education and appreciation and community service. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sewell Family Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sewell Family Foundation's EIN?
Sewell Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1861892. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sewell Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Minnesota
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
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
The Jamf Nation Global Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Jamf Nation Global Foundation supports nonprofits aligned with its values and connected to Jamf employees’ local communities, including communities where employees live and work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,738 to $976,054, with a median of $27,476. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
5
Total Given
$1.4M
The McKnight Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The McKnight Foundation funds arts and culture, resilient food systems, Midwest climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, with Minnesota a primary focus for several programs and work also extending beyond the state. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000; prospective applicants should first discuss fit with program staff, who provide proposal instructions if the work can be considered.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
790
Total Given
$145.9M
Margaret a Cargill Foundation
Eden Prairie, MN
The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation funds animal welfare, arts and culture, disaster relief, environmental conservation, quality of life, and education, with grants to community-based organizations in the U.S. and internationally and particular geographic emphasis on the Upper Midwest and Southern California. In 2024, its grants ranged from $250 to $3.66 million, with a median of $250,000. It accepts proposals by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
312
Total Given
$146.7M
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation funds education, health care, and human services, including college scholarships, with most support benefiting working- and middle-class families in specified Minnesota and Florida counties; it also makes some national grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $50 to $10 million. It plans to move to invitation-only grantmaking in 2027; whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$218.3M
Grants
1,431
Total Given
$47.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sewell Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sewell-family-foundation-morg_948d4e6c5bf6487eb816dc7c8a6edf8b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411861892_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sewell Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sewell-family-foundation-morg_948d4e6c5bf6487eb816dc7c8a6edf8b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Sewell 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.
Sewell Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?