The Sauer Family Foundation
The Sauer Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1997 and based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The foundation is committed to strengthening the well-being of children and their families, with a particular focus on disadvantaged children in Minnesota.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$21.2M
+70.3% YoY
Grant Count
125
+9.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$170K
+55.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The mission of the Sauer Family Foundation is to invest in strengthening the well-being of children so they thrive in their families and communities.
Vision: Children experience well-being and grow up in environments where they are:
- Supported and nurtured
- Safe from abuse and neglect
- Resilient in the face of trauma
- Successful in school
- Thriving in their families and communities
Primary Funding Areas:
- Family Relationships: Support systems to transition children into adulthood
- Resilience to Trauma: Promoting emotional safety for children and caregivers
- Educational Success: Evidence-based instruction for learning disabilities
- Diverse Workforce: Connecting youth with diverse adult role models
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $200 to $9,000,000, with a median grant size of approximately $50,000 and an average grant size of $68,600.
Average Grant
of $68,600.
How to Apply
** Organizations interested in applying can contact the foundation through their website at www.sauerff.org or reach out to Program Directors regarding specific funding areas.
Ready to take the next step with The Sauer Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds primarily in the state of Minnesota, with priority given to the seven-county metro area. The foundation also has funding interests in Oregon and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $61,352,179 to $79,900,000 (varying by reporting period)
Total Giving: $21,216,579 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing)
Annual Revenue: $5,200,000 (recent reporting period)
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation; tax-exempt since August 1997; EIN: 41-1859711
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Sauer Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Patricia Sauer - President
- Gary B Sauer - Treasurer
- Corey Sauer - Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARY B SAUER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA SAUER | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| COREY SAUER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JESSICA NICKELSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE SAUER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER SAUER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| COLLEEN O'KEEFE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & TRUSTEE | 40 | $284,350 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made recent grants supporting educational initiatives, including:
A $200,000 grant to Bethany Lutheran College's Literacy Clinic
Literacy Clinic Receives $200K Sauer Foundation Grant - Bethany LutheranA $61,000 grant to support literacy clinics
Literacy Clinic Receives $200K Sauer Foundation Grant - Bethany LutheranStipend awards through the MSW Program at Saint Mary's University
MSW Program Sauer Family Foundation Stipend Awards \u2013 Saint Mary's TodayThe foundation has announced that it will be sunsetting its work in 2027.
Contact Information
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Spicola Family Foundation
MINNETONKA, MN
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$410K
The Geyer Family Foundation
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Assets
—
Grants
7
Total Given
$35K
Love 4 One Another Charities
CHANHASSEN, MN
Assets
$8.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$90K
Donald and Luella Zibell Family Foundation
NORTHFIELD, MN
Assets
—
Grants
8
Total Given
$80K
Minnesota Citizens Concerned
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
$745K
Grants
2
Total Given
$942K
Clearway Minnesota (sm)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$442K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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