The Carter Family Foundation
The Carter Family Foundation is a private, independent 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2005 and based in Wayzata, Minnesota. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization with a mission rooted in Christian philanthropy and family legacy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.6M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$923K
-20.3% YoY
Grant Count
27
-43.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
+41.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Carter Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $136K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to live as ambassadors of God's grace for His glory. The foundation was established by Duane and Lynn Carter following the 2019 sale of their hospitality technology business.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Rescue & Rehabilitation
- Child Protection
- Evangelism & Missions
- Natural Sciences
- Higher Education
The foundation emphasizes that 100% of charitable donations are directed to mission fields, with the Carter family covering all operating expenses.
Grantmaking
The foundation has also made 52 grants to Westminster Church and other organizations in recent years.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, Texas, and Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,586,814
- Total Revenues: $3,190,585
- Total Expenses: $1,047,205
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $12.6M
- Total Revenues: $294,000
- Total Expenses: $1.24M
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,586,814 | $12,639,625 | $12,396,198 |
| Revenue | $3,190,585 | $294,051 | $1,070,064 |
| Expenses | $1,047,205 | $1,236,593 | $1,434,453 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $925,281 | $1,164,327 | $1,376,591 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,992,370 | $221,780 | $152,659 |
| Distributable Amount | $136,318 | $646,471 | $320,839 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
223 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Minneapolis Foundaton ($455,000), Metropolitan State University Foundation ($260,000), Westminster Church ($95,288).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial Recovery Nashville, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $2,505 |
| Big Sky Arts Big Sky, MT | To support the Organization's mission. | $1,033 |
| Big Sky Community Organization Gallatin Gateway, MT | To support the Organization's mission. | $2,500 |
| Canine Companions Santa Rosa, CA | To support the Organization's mission. | $1,139 |
| Charity Classic Urbandale, IN | To support the Organization's mission. | $3,000 |
| Children's Health Defense Peachtree City, GA | To support the Organization's mission. | $1,029 |
| CHR Community Housing and Resources Sanibel, FL | To support the Organizaiton's mission. | $2,500 |
| Compassion International Ministries Sugar Land, TX | To support the Organization's mission. | $2,486 |
| CCA Captiva Captiva, FL | To support the Organziation's mission. | $4,686 |
| CCH Freedom St Paul, MN | To support the Organizaiton's mission. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Diana Carter — Director and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diana Clarke-Carter | Director/Chief Executive Officer | 0.25 | — |
| Robert Lowell Carter | Director/Officer | 0.25 | — |
| Alison Clarke Carter Brown | Director/Executive Director | 0.25 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 130 Spur Circle, Wayzata, MN 55391
Telephone: 763-390-4277
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Carter Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to live as ambassadors of God's grace for His glory. The foundation was established by Duane and Lynn Carter following the 2019 sale of their hospitality technology business. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Rescue & Rehabilitation • Child Protection • Evangelism & Missions • Natural Sciences • Higher Education The foundation emphasizes that 100% of charitable donations are directed to mission fields, with the Carter family covering all operating ex…
How do I apply for a grant from The Carter Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $923,472 • Number of grants: 15+ documented grants • Typical award range: $32–$455,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Metropolitan State University Foundation: $260,000 (to support students in natural sciences) • The Kirsch Foundation: $52,575 • Saidiana: $10,000 The foundation has also made 52 grants to Westminster Church and other organizations in recent years.
Where does The Carter Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, Texas, and Montana.
What size grants does The Carter Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Carter Family Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $923K — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Carter Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Carter Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $136K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Carter Family Foundation's EIN?
The Carter Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3311749. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Carter Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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