The Head Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2004 and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on supporting arts and culture, education, and human services across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.0M
+5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$827K
+43.7% YoY
Grant Count
99
+8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+32.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Head Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $528K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Arts and culture appreciation
- Education and student support
- Human services
- Support for low-income individuals
- Assistance for children
- Reproductive health support
- Music appreciation
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Grant Range
$2,500–$3,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
- Minnesota (Minneapolis, St. Paul)
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and other states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (Fiscal Year Ending June 2025):
- Total Assets: $10,970,138
- Total Revenue: $657,490
- Total Expenses: $870,961
- Total Giving: $557,000–$827,350 (varies by reporting source and fiscal year)
- Annual Giving Rate: Approximately 5.4% of assets
Historical Context: The foundation's assets have remained relatively stable, ranging from $9.6 million to $11 million over recent years.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,970,138 | $10,373,162 | $9,558,650 |
| Revenue | $657,490 | $191,169 | $358,095 |
| Expenses | $870,961 | $621,135 | $614,975 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $831,127 | $579,615 | $563,540 |
| Net Investment Income | $617,681 | $151,149 | $321,756 |
| Distributable Amount | $528,288 | $480,375 | $438,674 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Kenyon College ($70,000), Heard Museum ($15,000), Breck School ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS LIVING SAINT PAUL, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ACHIEVE MPLS - ELLA BAKER GLOBAL STUDIES MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ACHIEVE TWIN CITIES - MINNEAPOLIS CHESS ( DIVISON OF ACHIEVE MPLS) MINNEAPOLIS, MN | PILLSBURY SCHOOL | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION MINNEAPOLIS, MN | MINNESOTA/NORTH DAKOTA CHAPTER | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - MINNEAPOLISST PAUL MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMICUS (VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MN AND WI) MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION ST PAUL, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by a volunteer board of directors:
- Martha M. Head – President
- Christopher Kirwan – Director
- Martha E. H. Kirwan – Secretary
- Virginia R. Head – Treasurer
All board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER KIRWAN | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MARTHA M HEAD | PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| MARTHA E H KIRWAN | SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| VIRGINIA R HEAD | TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 11100 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 230, Minnetonka, MN 55305-5526
- Phone: 952-681-2891
- Website: www.headfoundation.com
- EIN: 20-2032551
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Head Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Arts and culture appreciation • Education and student support • Human services • Support for low-income individuals • Assistance for children • Reproductive health support • Music appreciation
How do I apply for a grant from The Head Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 82–109 grants in recent years, with significant variation year to year • Median grant size: $2,500–$3,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$80,000 • Recent notable grants include: • Minneapolis Institute of Art: $80,000 (General Support) • Kenyon College: $70,000 (General Support) • Grace Neighborhood Nursery School: $40,000 (General Support) **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Where does The Head Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: • Minnesota (Minneapolis, St. Paul) • Illinois • Massachusetts • Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and other states
What size grants does The Head Family Foundation award?
In 2025, The Head Family Foundation awarded 99 grants totaling $827K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Head Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Head Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $528K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Head Family Foundation's EIN?
The Head Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2032551. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Head 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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