The Sheltering Arms Foundation
The Sheltering Arms Foundation is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based public charity that invests in Minnesota children and supports policies benefiting children and families with the least access to resources. The organization states that it was formed in 1884.
The Sheltering Arms Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sheltering Arms Foundation gave $575K across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Minnesota. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $575,000
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,268
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $16,541,369
- +6.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 56, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sheltering Arms Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofits other than private foundations, located in Minnesota or providing services there, and serving children ages 0–12 and their families who are most vulnerable. Requests must support a new or ongoing program or program expansion, not general operating support. The Foundation also excludes one-time events, overnight camps, capital requests or campaigns, individuals, fundraising events, scholarships, public agencies, and school districts. Fiscal sponsorship is accepted. Grants run for one year, July through June, and the same program will not be funded for more than three consecutive years. Applicants must submit an online application with a budget showing estimated revenue sources and expenses; the Foundation asks organizations to contact staff before submitting to discuss fit. Awardees sign a grant agreement and submit a final project report and expenditure statement.
- Review Cycle
- The most recent cycle opened December 15, 2025 and closed January 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; check the Foundation's Application Process page for the next cycle's dates.
- Deadline
- The most recent cycle opened December 15, 2025 and closed January 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; check the Foundation's…
- Next open deadline
- January 30, 2027 (Advocacy Grant Program)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 386027, Minneapolis, MN 55438
Phone: (612) 871-9210
Website: https://sheltering-arms.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from The Sheltering Arms Foundation
Advocacy Grant Program
The Sheltering Arms Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Early Childhood Grant Program
The Sheltering Arms Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Episcopal Community Grants
The Sheltering Arms Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Sheltering Arms Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Greater Twin Cities United Way ($25K). Together the top 10 received $142K.
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 246 grants of 246 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation awards grants to organizations located in or providing services throughout Minnesota. Its 2025 filing reported that 96% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients, with the remainder going to recipients in Missouri (2%), North Dakota (1%), and Colorado (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Sheltering Arms Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 56 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $445K (2022) to $575K (2025). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $575K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Twin Cities United Way Minneapolis, MN | Early Childhood | $25,000 |
| St David's Center for Child & Fami Minnetonka, MN | Early Childhood | $22,000 |
| Ignite Afterschool Saint Paul, MN | Youth Development | $12,500 |
| Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County Red Wing, MN | Youth Development | $12,000 |
| Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Saint Paul, MN | Youth Development | $12,000 |
| Liberty Community Church Minneapolis, MN | Youth Development | $12,000 |
| Northland Foundation Duluth, MN | Early Childhood | $12,000 |
| Project for Pride in Living Inc Minneaplis, MN | Youth Development | $12,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children Minneapolis, MN | Early Childhood | $12,000 |
| 826 MSP Minneapolis, MN | Youth Development | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sheltering Arms Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing reports the following amounts by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16,541,369 | $1,374,471 | $949,035 | $575,000 | 56 | $1,107,909 |
| 2024 | $15,591,417 | $1,752,791 | $960,157 | $572,500 | 56 | $1,694,919 |
| 2023 | $14,900,667 | $167,024 | $1,027,813 | $570,000 | 50 | $114,112 |
| 2022 | $14,379,135 | $578,208 | $884,218 | $445,000 | 41 | $520,919 |
| 2021 | $18,028,195 | $716,273 | $905,276 | $490,000 | 43 | $620,805 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in the lives of Minnesota’s children so they reach their full potential, funding nonprofit organizations and supporting policies that benefit children and families with the least access to resources.
Its funding areas include early childhood, youth development, and advocacy. Early childhood funding supports high-quality, culturally appropriate programs, including early care and education, targeted home visiting and parent education, and early childhood mental health programs. Youth development funding supports out-of-school-time and mentoring programs for children ages 5–12. Advocacy grants support networks, coalitions, campaigns, and parent training focused on children’s early learning and out-of-school-time opportunities. Episcopal Community Grants are also listed as a funding area.
Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. St. David’s Center says it builds relationships that nurture the development of every child and family. Washburn Center for Children says it provides therapeutic and healing services for children’s social, emotional, or behavioral development, including their families. Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County says it empowers Hispanic individuals and families through essential services, education, and youth programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 56 grants totaling $575,000. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $25,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The Foundation’s FAQ says it accepts requests up to $15,000 and reports an average award of $10,000.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $25,000 to Greater Twin Cities United Way for early childhood and $22,000 to St. David’s Center for Child & Family for early childhood. Other notable grants included $12,500 to Ignite Afterschool for youth development, $12,000 to Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County for youth development, and $12,000 to Northland Foundation for early childhood.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Diane Grossman, Cynthia Swan, Heidi Kim, Cathy Cella, Browyn Skov, Sue Bizal, Laura Capaldini, Nancy Diener, Esther Garubanda, and Susan Gillette as officers or directors.
The Sheltering Arms Foundation is led by Cynthia Swan, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cynthia Swan
President
Treasurer → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Kim
President El
Board Trustee → President El, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Capaldini
Board Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Diener
Board Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Bizal
Board Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Gillette
Board Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Esther Garubanda
Board Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ifeyinwa Ikegwuani
Board Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Westberg
Board Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Reichenbach
Board Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Grossman
Executive Di
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$116K (2024) → $128K (2025)
Browyn Skov
Secretary
Board Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Cella
Treasurer
Board Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Cecily Cutshall (2021–2024) — Board Trustee
- Former: Elise Lewis (2021–2024) — Board Trustee
- Former: Katie White (2021–2024) — Board Trustee
- Former: Joan Gudorf (2022–2024) — Board Trustee
- Former: Kathy Schweikart (2022–2024) — Board Trustee
- Former: Sarah Babbitt (2022–2024) — Board Trustee
- Former: Denise Mayotte (2021–2023) — Executive Di
- Former: Amanda Z. Mawanda (2021–2022) — Board Trustee
- Former: Andrea Larson (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Claire Dempsey (2021–2022) — Past President
- Former: Tracy Sanders (2021–2022) — Board Trustee
- Former: Judy Parr (2021) — Past President
- Former: Merlynne Byrne (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Shelly Gill Murray (2021) — Board Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $128K, to Diane Grossman (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about The Sheltering Arms Foundation
How much does The Sheltering Arms Foundation give each year?
The Sheltering Arms Foundation gave $575K across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $573K across 56 grants.
What is The Sheltering Arms Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sheltering Arms Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,268, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Sheltering Arms Foundation give grants?
The Sheltering Arms Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (24 grants), Saint Paul, MN (14 grants), Duluth, MN (2 grants) and Northfield, MN (2 grants).
Does The Sheltering Arms Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 56 grants with a stated purpose on The Sheltering Arms Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Youth Development" (26 grants), "Early Childhood" (26 grants) and "Advocacy" (4 grants).
Who are The Sheltering Arms Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sheltering Arms Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Greater Twin Cities United Way ($25,000), St David's Center for Child & Fami ($22,000) and Ignite Afterschool ($12,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Sheltering Arms Foundation?
The Sheltering Arms Foundation reported $16.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does The Sheltering Arms Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in the lives of Minnesota’s children so they reach their full potential, funding nonprofit organizations and supporting policies that benefit children and families with the least access to resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sheltering Arms Foundation?
Applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofits other than private foundations, located in Minnesota or providing services there, and serving children ages 0–12 and their families who are most vulnerable. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Sheltering Arms Foundation's EIN?
The Sheltering Arms Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0693926. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sheltering Arms Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sheltering Arms Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sheltering-arms-foundation-morg_09c72000a8c743aab2bccdbb03e554aa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_410693926_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sheltering Arms Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sheltering-arms-foundation-morg_09c72000a8c743aab2bccdbb03e554aa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Sheltering Arms Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Sheltering Arms Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?