The West Fork Foundation
The West Fork Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $200K. Net investment income was $312K.
The West Fork Foundation at a glance
In short: The West Fork Foundation gave $200K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $200,000
- +21.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $28,571
- -13.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,626,543
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The West Fork Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Project Success ($65K). Together the top 7 received $200K.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 15 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The West Fork Foundation gives
- Giving grew 208% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 147% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $65K (2021) to $200K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $200K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Project Success Minneapolis, MN | Program Support | $65,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Minneapolis, MN | Program Support | $50,000 |
| International Institute St. Paul, MN | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Save the Boundary Waters ELY, MN | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Second Harvest Heartland St. Paul, MN | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Central Lutheran Church Minneapolis, MN | Align MPLS | $10,000 |
| Minneapolis Parks Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Program Support | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,626,543 | $315,648 | $206,745 | $200,000 | 7 | $203,385 | $312,288 | $138,554 |
| 2024 | $1,517,640 | $224,548 | $165,025 | $165,000 | 5 | $165,025 | $224,548 | $130,655 |
| 2023 | $1,458,117 | $93,074 | $67,524 | $65,000 | 1 | $66,274 | $91,824 | $114,986 |
| 2022 | $1,432,567 | $64,236 | $68,494 | $65,000 | 1 | $66,772 | $62,514 | $109,615 |
| 2021 | $1,436,825 | $203,820 | $65,000 | $65,000 | 1 | $65,000 | $203,820 | $129,913 |
| 2020 | $1,298,005 | $80,910 | $88,440 | $85,600 | 4 | — | $79,503 | $102,242 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The West Fork Foundation reported a distributable amount of $139K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The West Fork Foundation is led by Sara L. Donaldson, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sara L. Donaldson
President
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Snaza
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samuel C. Donaldson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Donaldson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John A. Donaldson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The West Fork Foundation
How much does The West Fork Foundation give each year?
The West Fork Foundation gave $200K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $165K across 5 grants.
What is The West Fork Foundation's typical grant size?
The West Fork Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $28,571, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The West Fork Foundation give grants?
The West Fork Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (4 grants) and St. Paul, MN (2 grants).
Does The West Fork Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The West Fork Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (6 grants).
Who are The West Fork Foundation's largest grantees?
The West Fork Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Project Success ($65,000), The Nature Conservancy ($50,000) and International Institute ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The West Fork Foundation?
The West Fork Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $203K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $139K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The West Fork Foundation's EIN?
The West Fork Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2436208. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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