The Ray Christensen Foundation
The Ray Christensen Foundation is a private foundation, based in Lakeville, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $198K.
The Ray Christensen Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ray Christensen Foundation gave $35K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $35,000
- -79.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +300.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,750
- -94.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,468,074
- +5.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% 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 Ray Christensen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Whirlygig Productions ($10K). Together the top 4 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 8 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ray Christensen Foundation gives
- Giving fell 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 27% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $35K (2024) to $175K (2021). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlygig Productions Deephaven, MN | Grant Award for Film | $10,000 |
| Jennifer Kramer Minneapolis, MN | Grant Award for Arts | $10,000 |
| Spencer Sulflow St. Paul, MN | Grant Award Cinematographey | $10,000 |
| Twin Cities Film Fests Minneapolis, MN | Grant Award for Film | $5,000 |
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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 | $2,468,074 | $198,058 | $176,351 | $35,000 | 4 | $35,000 | $198,058 | $129,945 |
| 2023 | $2,349,339 | $32,695 | $238,660 | $172,674 | 1 | $172,674 | $81,281 | $126,544 |
| 2022 | $2,618,304 | $21,802 | $186,063 | $140,000 | 1 | $140,000 | $69,660 | $138,826 |
| 2021 | $2,642,770 | $310,585 | $229,185 | $175,000 | 1 | $175,000 | $257,094 | $147,099 |
| 2020 | $2,561,165 | $132,549 | $168,830 | $120,277 | 1 | — | $13,996 | $121,433 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ray Christensen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $130K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ray Christensen Foundation is led by Jean Grossman, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jean Grossman
President
On filings since 2020
$4K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Andrea Quick
Secretary
On filings since 2020
$1K (2023) → $2K (2024)
Sarah Devens
General Member
On filings since 2022
$2K (2023) → $5K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jennifer Anderson (2020–2021) — General Member
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 $5K, to Sarah Devens (General Memb). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Ray Christensen Foundation
How much does The Ray Christensen Foundation give each year?
The Ray Christensen Foundation gave $35K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $173K across 1 grant.
What is The Ray Christensen Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ray Christensen Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $8,750, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ray Christensen Foundation give grants?
The Ray Christensen Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (2 grants).
Does The Ray Christensen Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Ray Christensen Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is The Ray Christensen Foundation?
The Ray Christensen Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $130K (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 is The Ray Christensen Foundation's EIN?
The Ray Christensen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2397145. 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 Ray Christensen Foundation funds
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