The Civic Affairs Trust
The Civic Affairs Trust is a private foundation, based in Saint Paul, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $229K. Net investment income was $13K.
The Civic Affairs Trust at a glance
In short: The Civic Affairs Trust gave $229K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $46K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $229,201
- +421.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $45,840
- +212.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,000
- Total assets
- $1,512,745
- -14.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Civic Affairs Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Education Evolving ($173K). Together the top 5 received $229K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 13 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Civic Affairs Trust gives
- Giving grew 10701% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 306% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2021) to $229K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $229K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Education Evolving Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $173,333 |
| Good Trouble Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $33,618 |
| Edvisions Schools Renton, WA | Planning Project | $14,000 |
| MN Association of Charter Schools St. Paul, MN | Innovation Awards | $5,000 |
| People for Pseo Saint Paul, MN | General Operating Expenditures | $3,250 |
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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 | $1,512,745 | $54,297 | $312,814 | $229,201 | 5 | $287,704 | $12,625 | $94,170 |
| 2023 | $1,771,262 | $852,015 | $102,745 | $43,944 | 3 | $70,910 | $294,839 | $77,067 |
| 2022 | $1,294,633 | $1,414,336 | $26,535 | $18,000 | 2 | $22,266 | $453,207 | $50,299 |
| 2021 | $351,922 | $3,174 | $9,230 | $2,122 | 1 | $3,819 | $1,327 | $17,320 |
| 2020 | $356,223 | $339,631 | $11,442 | $6,000 | 2 | — | $256,401 | $11,916 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Civic Affairs Trust reported a distributable amount of $94K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Civic Affairs Trust's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; 3 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bill Blazar
Trustee
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
$38K (2023) → $25K (2024)
Dan Mott
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Lars Esdal
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Theodore G. Kolderie
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $25K, to Bill Blazar (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Civic Affairs Trust
How much does The Civic Affairs Trust give each year?
The Civic Affairs Trust gave $229K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $44K across 3 grants.
What is The Civic Affairs Trust's typical grant size?
The Civic Affairs Trust's median grant in 2024 was $14,000, and its average grant was $45,840, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Civic Affairs Trust give grants?
The Civic Affairs Trust gives mostly in Minnesota: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (2 grants) and Saint Paul, MN (2 grants).
Does The Civic Affairs Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of The Civic Affairs Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Civic Affairs Trust's largest grantees?
The Civic Affairs Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Education Evolving ($173,333), Good Trouble ($33,618) and Edvisions Schools ($14,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Civic Affairs Trust?
The Civic Affairs Trust reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $288K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $94K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Civic Affairs Trust's EIN?
The Civic Affairs Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-6524993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Civic Affairs Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Civic Affairs Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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