University of Minnesota Foundation logo

University of Minnesota Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker Minneapolis, MN EIN: 41-6042488 Website

The University of Minnesota Foundation is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit whose stated purpose is to support the University of Minnesota. The Foundation describes itself as the University’s central development office, responsible for fundraising, managing endowed funds, and distributing gifts and endowment income for donor-designated purposes.

Key facts about University of Minnesota Foundation

In short: University of Minnesota Foundation gave $304.0M across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $27.6M), mostly in Minnesota. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
41-6042488
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$303,989,073
Grants made (2025)
11
Average grant
$27,635,370
Median grant
$353,576
New grantees (estimate)
36% first-time grantees (4 of 11, 2025)
Total assets
$5,473,796,088
Primary geography
Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$5.5B

+12.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$304.0M

+7.2% YoY

Grant Count

11

+57.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$27.6M

-31.8% YoY

Is University of Minnesota Foundation open to new grantees?

36%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 4 of 11 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $413K; repeat grants $43M. How we count

Medians: $375K first-time, $354K repeat.

  • 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 51% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission is “to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota.” Its website says its responsibilities include fundraising for University campuses, colleges, and programs; managing and investing endowed funds; and distributing funds for purposes designated by donors.

The 2025 grants include support for the University and its hospital and clinical programming, as well as grants to affiliated or other charitable organizations. The University Gateway Corporation says it operates a facility supporting its beneficiary organizations and the University in student recruiting, alumni relations, fundraising, and general operations. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation says it supports charitable, plant-based scientific, and educational activities for the University’s arboretum. The Food Group Minnesota describes its mission as “fighting hunger” and “nourishing our community,” while Equity in Action Way Foundation says it collaborates with impacted communities and cross-sector partners to address complex problems. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 11 grants totaling $303,989,073. Grant amounts ranged from $6,283 to $294,797,625; the median was $353,576. The largest grant, $294,797,625, went to the University of Minnesota to support the University. Other notable grants included $5,554,400 to Fairview Health Services for University hospital and clinical programming at M Health Fairview; $1,300,000 to University Gateway Corporation; and $806,253 to Beta of Clovia Foundation to transfer its fund balance after it established its own 501(c)(3). The Foundation also reported $353,576 to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation and $262,500 to the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2025 filing reports grant-dollar shares of Minnesota 100%, Rhode Island 0%, and Washington, DC 0%. The itemized grants include recipients in Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.

Cities

MinneapolisSaint PaulChaskaWashingtonEdinaNew HopeProvidenceRochester

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100M$200M$300M$400M6 grants2020 11 grants2021 7 grants2022 6 grants2023 7 grants2024 11 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $201.6M (2021) to $304.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $304.0M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

University of Minnesota: $294.8MUniversity of Minnesota$294.8MFairview Health Services: $5.6MFairview Health Services$5.6MUniversity Gateway Corporation: $1.3MUniversity Gateway Corporation$1.3MBeta of Clovia Foundation: $806KBeta of Clovia Foundation$806KRhode Island Hospital Foundation: $547KRhode Island HospitalFoundation$547KMinnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation: $354KMinnesota Landscape ArboretumFoundation$354KUniversity of Minnesota Alumni Association: $263KUniversity of Minnesota AlumniAssociation$263KThe Food Group Minnesota Inc: $203KThe Food Group Minnesota Inc$203KEquity in Action Way Foundation: $94KEquity in Action WayFoundation$94KBowen Center for the Study of the Family: $64KBowen Center for the Study ofthe Family$64K

The largest 2025 recipient was University of Minnesota ($294.8M). Together the top 10 received $304.0M.

Grant Size Distribution

42 grants across all recorded years

6<$50K8$50–100K5$100–250K4$250–500K6$500K–1M5$1–5M8$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 8 grants of 42 (19%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MNThe foundation provides fund grants to and for the benefit of the university of Minnesota.$294,797,625
Fairview Health Services St. Paul, MNFund grants to support the university of Minnesota hospital and clinical programming at m health fairview.$5,554,400
University Gateway Corporation Minneapolis, MNFund grant to support the university gateway corporation - a facility that supports the university of Minnesota.$1,300,000
Beta of Clovia Foundation Saint Paul, MNBeta of clovia foundation established their own 501(c)3. Fund grant to transfer the fund balance.$806,253
Rhode Island Hospital Foundation Providence, RIFund grant per donor agreement to move funds to another 501(c)3$547,033
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation Chaska, MNThe Minnesota landscape arboretum foundation is a recognized foundation of the university of Minnesota.$353,576
University of Minnesota Alumni Association Minneapolis, MNFund grant to support the university of Minnesota alumni association.$262,500
The Food Group Minnesota Inc New Hope, MNFund grant per donor agreement to move funds to another 501(c)3$203,266
Equity in Action Way Foundation Minneapolis, MNFund grant per donor agreement to move funds to another 501(c)3$93,880
Bowen Center for the Study of the Family Washington, DCFund grant per charitable remainder trust agreement to make annual distribution of endowment payout.$64,257

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Amounts below are reported by filing year.

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grant sum Grant count
2025 $5,473,796,088 $586,199,341 $383,185,554 $303,989,073 11
2024 $4,888,350,212 $524,006,934 $353,145,790 $283,517,310 7
2023 $4,484,124,199 $428,104,208 $329,663,282 $262,653,447 6
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$200M$400M$600M$800M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$5,473,796,088$4,888,350,212$4,484,124,199
Revenue$586,199,341$524,006,934$428,104,208
Expenses$383,185,554$353,145,790$329,663,282
Net Investment Income$256,584,051$281,061,089$161,229,914

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 22, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 17, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 26, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 1, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Kathleen M. Schmidlkofer as president/CEO until June 30, 2025, and John Morris as president/CEO starting May 1, 2025. Listed trustees include Kenneth C. Glaser, chair; Jacqueline R. Williams-Roll, past chair; Abdul M. Omari, vice chair; Roger J. Sit, treasurer; Thomas G. Olson, secretary; Wemimo S. Abbey; and Blythe A. Brenden. Shari L. Ballard is listed as a trustee until November 7, 2024.

University of Minnesota Foundation is led by Kathleen M. Schmidlkofer, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 13 of 61 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Kathleen M. Schmidlkofer

    President & CEO

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $577K (2020) → $739K (2025)

  • John Morris

    President & CEO

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenneth C. Glaser

    Trustee & Chair

    Trustee → Trustee & Vice Chair, 2023

    Trustee & Vice Chair → Trustee & Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pat Mascia

    Umfrea Managing Director

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $433K (2022) → $543K (2025)

  • Abdul M. Omari PhD

    Trustee & Vice Chair

    Trustee → Trustee & Vice Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Beth Kieffer Leonard

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Blythe A. Brenden

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bradford W. Wallin

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David J. McMillan JD

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dorothy J. Bridges

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Erik M. Torgerson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Esta E. Stecher

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jacqueline R. Williams-Roll

    Trustee & Past Chair

    Trustee & Vice Chair → Trustee & Chair, 2023

    Trustee & Chair → Trustee & Past Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John E. Lindahl

    Trustee

    Trustee & Vice Chair → Trustee, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Julie E. Gilbert

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kurt E. Heikkila

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lynn Casey

    Trustee

    Trustee & Chair → Trustee & Past Chair, 2021

    Trustee & Past Chair → Trustee, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael B. Fiterman

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael F. Roman

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Philip E. Soran

    Trustee

    Trustee & Treasurer → Trustee, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rebecca A. Crooks-Stratton

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard T. Ostlund JD

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Roger J. Sit

    Trustee & Treasurer

    Trustee → Trustee & Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ross Levin

    Trustee

    Trustee & Past Chair → Trustee, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shari L. Ballard

    Trustee

    Trustee & Chair → Trustee & Past Chair, 2023

    Trustee & Past Chair → Trustee, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Theresa B. Ward

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas G. Olson

    Trustee & Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hoyt M. Hsiao

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lynne Redleaf

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael P. Lehan

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Peter A. Vorbrich

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Acooa Ellis

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bethany M. Owen

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Douglas A. Huebsch

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • James K. Lee

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mary A. Davenport

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Darrell A. Thompson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Laurie Marsh

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael H. Johnson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ruth E. Johnson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ty R. Silberhorn

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kathie Eiland-Madison

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lisa Opoku JD

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nancy W. Stefani

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pahoua Hoffman

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Katherine A. Nelson PhD

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lea B. Olsen

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rebecca M. Cunningham MD

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • W. Anders Folk JD

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wemimo S. Abbey Mpa

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elizabeth Patty

    Associate Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $209K (2020) → $290K (2025)

  • Patricia K. Porter

    Executive Vice President

    Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $312K (2020) → $471K (2025)

  • Robert J. Burgett

    Senior Advisor

    Senior Vice President → Senior Advisor, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $388K (2020) → $457K (2025)

  • Sarah E. Youngerman

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $235K (2020) → $292K (2025)

  • Steven M. Corkery

    Vice President

    Assistant Vice President → Associate Vice President, 2021

    Associate Vice President → Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $213K (2020) → $291K (2025)

  • Catherine McGlinch

    Senior Vice President

    Associate Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $222K (2021) → $301K (2025)

  • Christine K. Searson

    Vice President & CFO

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $220K (2021) → $388K (2025)

  • Kristi Flanagan Villar

    Vice President

    Associate Vice President → Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $217K (2022) → $291K (2025)

  • Travis Smith

    Senior Vice President

    Associate Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $288K (2023) → $319K (2025)

  • Michael Cohen

    Vice President

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $195K (2024) → $272K (2025)

  • Sophia Khan

    Vice President

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $166K (2024) → $303K (2025)

Former officers (31)
  • Former: David C. Mortenson (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: David J. Meyer (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Ezell Jones (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: James G. Aagaard (2020–2024) — Vice President
  • Former: Jeff Ettinger (2023–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Joan Ta Gabel (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Margaret E. Lucas (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Penny A. Wheeler MD (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Russell Huffer (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Susan S. Hoff (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Carol Curoe (2021–2023) — Vice President
  • Former: Nancy Wiser (2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Jan L Sickbert (2020–2022) — Associate Vice President
  • Former: Mary K Brainerd (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Richard B Beeson Jr. (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Richard L Lindstrom MD (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Ruth Bachman (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Archie J. Givens Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Deborah L. Hopp (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Erwin A. Kelen (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Jane F. Godfrey (2020–2021) — Associate Vice President
  • Former: Kathleen L. Pickard (2020–2021) — Vice President & CFO
  • Former: Simon Kawo Wong (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Thomas J. Anderson (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Virginia H. Morris (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Kevin F Warren JD (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Lynn Slifer (2020) — Associate Vice President
  • Former: Sarah Harris (2020) — Umfrea Managing Director · Filing note: Ended oct 2019
  • Former: Scott D Augustine MD (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Susan I Marvin (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Walter F Ling (2020) — Trustee

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Kathleen M Schmidlkofer — President/CEO (Until 6/30/2025): $739KKathleen M SchmidlkoferPresident/CEO (Until 6/30/2025)$739KPat Mascia — Umfrea Managing Director: $543KPat MasciaUmfrea Managing Director$543KPatricia K Porter — Executive Vice President: $471KPatricia K PorterExecutive Vice President$471KRobert J Burgett — Senior Advisor (Until 6/30/25): $457KRobert J BurgettSenior Advisor (Until 6/30/25)$457KChristine K Searson — Vice President/CFO: $388KChristine K SearsonVice President/CFO$388KTravis Smith — Senior Vice President: $319KTravis SmithSenior Vice President$319KSophia Khan — Vice President: $303KSophia KhanVice President$303KCatherine McGlinch — Senior Vice President: $301KCatherine McGlinchSenior Vice President$301KSarah E Youngerman — Vice President: $292KSarah E YoungermanVice President$292KKristi Flanagan Villar — Vice President: $291KKristi Flanagan VillarVice President$291KSteven M Corkery — Vice President: $291KSteven M CorkeryVice President$291KElizabeth Patty — Assoc Vice President (Until 5/14/25): $290KElizabeth PattyAssoc Vice President (Until…$290KMichael Cohen — Vice President: $272KMichael CohenVice President$272K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $739K, to Kathleen M Schmidlkofer (President/CEO (Until 6/30/2025)). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 200 Oak Street Se 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010
Phone: (612) 624-3333
Website: https://give.umn.edu

Frequently asked questions about University of Minnesota Foundation

How much does University of Minnesota Foundation give each year?

University of Minnesota Foundation gave $304.0M across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $283.5M across 7 grants.

What is University of Minnesota Foundation's typical grant size?

University of Minnesota Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $353,576, and its average grant was $27,635,370, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from University of Minnesota Foundation that year got $413K on average.

Where does University of Minnesota Foundation give grants?

University of Minnesota Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (5 grants) and St. Paul, MN (2 grants).

Does University of Minnesota Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on University of Minnesota Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

Who are University of Minnesota Foundation's largest grantees?

University of Minnesota Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Minnesota ($294,797,625), Fairview Health Services ($5,554,400) and University Gateway Corporation ($1,300,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is University of Minnesota Foundation?

University of Minnesota Foundation reported $5.5B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $586.2M.

What does University of Minnesota Foundation fund?

The Foundation’s mission is “to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from University of Minnesota Foundation?

University of Minnesota Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check give.umn.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is University of Minnesota Foundation's EIN?

University of Minnesota Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6042488. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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C K Blandin Foundation

Grand Rapids, MN

The C K Blandin Foundation funds community wealth-building, rural placemaking and small-community efforts, including work on housing, civic engagement, community spaces and food systems. It primarily supports rural Minnesota, especially Itasca County and nearby communities, and its 2024 median grant was $2,900, though awards ranged from $50 to $335,000.

Assets

$506.3M

Grants

931

Total Given

$15.8M

The McKnight Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The McKnight Foundation funds nonprofit organizations, research, and community initiatives in arts and culture, food systems, climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, primarily in Minnesota and the Midwest, with some work in Africa and South America and beyond. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,150 to $10 million, with a median of $100,000; prospective applicants are asked to contact program staff first, who provide proposal instructions if they determine funding may be considered.

Assets

$2.7B

Grants

790

Total Given

$145.9M

Neighborhood Development Center Inc

Saint Paul, MN

Neighborhood Development Center supports entrepreneurs and neighborhood revitalization through business financing, training, services, and affordable commercial space, primarily in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, with grants going to Minnesota recipients. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,100 to $207,211, with a median of $13,500. It does not state a general policy on unsolicited requests; a specific small-business grant RFP described was a past cycle.

Human Services

Assets

$55.3M

Grants

571

Total Given

$10.2M

More Funders in Minnesota

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