The Carter Family Foundation
Wayzata, MN · EIN 20-3311749. Reported 176 grants totalling $4,973,462 to 115 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Carter Family Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $2,713. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $10,000; the smallest was $32 and the largest $455,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan State University Foundation | St Paul, MN | $1,108,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Be the Match | Minneapolis, MN | $625,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Westminster Church | Minneapolis, MN | $594,979 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Minneapolis Foundaton | Minneapolis, MN | $455,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Children's Health Defense | Peachtree City, GA | $445,029 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance Inc | Washington, DC | $429,648 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Every Meal | Roseville, MN | $142,072 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Take Charge Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | $139,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Kkids Inc | North Fort Myers, FL | $127,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Saidiana | Edina, MN | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative | Saint Paul, MN | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| The Kirsch Foundation | Mountain View, CA | $56,935 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Institute for Frontier Science | Emeryville, CA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Interfaith Outreach | Plymouth, MN | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Rye Brook, NY | $40,876 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| American Red Cross | Washington, DC | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Feed My Starving Children | Coon Rapids, MN | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| New Life in Christ | Clearwater, MN | $26,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Judicial Watch Inc | Washington, DC | $21,650 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Spare Key Groove Gala | St Paul, MN | $21,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New Covenant Missions | Coeur Dalene, ID | $18,030 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Compassion International Ministries | Sugar Land, TX | $13,831 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Informed Consent Network | Austin, TX | $11,474 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Maui Strong Fund | Kahului, HI | $11,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Bethany College | Bethany, WV | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cch Freedom | St Paul, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Minneapolis Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Organic Consumers Association | Finland, MN | $9,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Givemn | Edina, MN | $8,593 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Convention of States | Houston, TX | $8,101 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mighty Cause Charitable Foundation | Whiteclay, NE | $7,680 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| International Rescue Committee | New York, NY | $7,605 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Troy Brewer Charitable | Burleson, TX | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Liberty Community Church | Minneapolis, MN | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| 4GIVING Foundation | Rochester, MN | $5,304 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pacific Justice Institute | Dallas, TX | $5,250 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Big Sky Community Housing | Big Sky, MT | $5,133 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| World Vision | Federal Way, WA | $5,125 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Calvary Chapel | Kaneohe, HI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Frontline Nurses | Elko, NV | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hubbard United Methodist Church | Park Rapids, MN | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ridgewood Church | Minnetonka, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Save the Children | Fairfield, CT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Wellspring for the World | Fargo, ND | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mightycause Charitable Foundation | Marianna, FL | $4,860 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cca Captiva | Captiva, FL | $4,686 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Human Resources Development Commission | Bozeman, MT | $4,100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Warren Miller Performing Arts Center | Gallatin Gateway, MT | $3,319 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Make Americans Free Again | Worthington, OH | $3,123 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Long Lake Area Foundation | Park Rapids, MN | $3,021 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Charity Classic | Urbandale, IN | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Network for Good | Washington, DC | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rebellius Dreamers | An Arbor, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Project Veritas | Mamaroneck, NY | $2,894 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Operation Underground Railroad | Anaheim, CA | $2,663 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Health Freedom | Pikesville, MD | $2,517 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Aerial Recovery | Nashville, TN | $2,505 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Big Sky Community Organization | Gallatin Gateway, MT | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chr Community Housing and Resources | Sanibel, FL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gallatin River Task Force | Big Sky, MT | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Crowd Source Rescue | Houston, TX | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| React 19 | Oconomowoc, WI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Samaritans Purse | Boone, NC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| First Baptist Church | Des Moines, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | St Peter, MN | $1,465 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Young Life | Colorado Springs, CO | $1,289 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Clean Water Fund | Washington, DC | $1,200 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Canine Companions | Santa Rosa, CA | $1,139 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Together We Rise | Brea, CA | $1,098 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Gallatin Rest Home Auxiliary | Bozerman, MT | $1,043 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| New Civil Liberties Alliance | Washington, DC | $1,039 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Big Sky Arts | Big Sky, MT | $1,033 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation | Sanibel, FL | $1,030 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| World Counsil for Health | Alexandria, VA | $1,030 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Chadtough Defeat Dipg Foundation | Saline, MI | $1,023 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center for American Liberty | Pittsburgh, PA | $1,003 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Florida Disaster Fund | Tallahassee, FL | $1,002 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Angel Studios | Provo, UT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Church of Incarnation | Minneapolis, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dicks Sporting Goods Foundation | Coraopolis, PA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Doctors Without Boarders USA Inc | New York, NY | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Fish of Sancap | Sanibel, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fisher House Foundation | Rockville, MD | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harvard Red and Old Gold Club | Camp Hill, PA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| People Help the People | San Diego, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Tractors for Africia | Eden Prairie, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Turning Point USA | Phoenix, AZ | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Unity Project of California | Newport Beach, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Theatre Company | New York, NY | $750 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Arts Council of Big Sky | Gallatin Gateway, MT | $522 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Knox Area Rescue Ministries | Knoxville, TN | $520 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| American Institute for Behavior Research | Vista, CA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Door to Freedom Inc | Portland, ME | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Epoch Times | New York, NY | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Fish Out of Water | Pacific, MO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of Summerville Library | Summerville, SC | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Park Rapids Rotary Foundation | Park Rapids, MN | $300 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Walk to End Hunger | St Paul, MN | $265 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Give Send Go | Dover, DE | $263 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Faiths Lodge | Plymouth, MN | $253 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Service Organizations | Washington, DC | $253 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Battle Brothers Foundation | Carlsbad, CA | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Menlo Park | Menlo Park, CA | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| National Health Freedom | St Paul, MN | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Toys for Tots | Triangle, VA | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vaccine Safety Council of Mn | St Paul, MN | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Union Gospel Missionary | Marcus Hook, PA | $151 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Enviromental Washington DC | Washington, DC | $127 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Menlo Park, CA | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 | |
| Kinship Park | Rockville, MD | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Wooddale Church Inc | Eden Prairie, MN | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | $79 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Operation Underg Our Rescue | Salt Lake City, UT | $32 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
37 of 115 (32%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 43%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Minneapolis Foundaton
To support the Organization's mission. - Be the Match
To support the Be The Match Gala. - Metropolitan State University Foundation
To support students in natural science at Metropolitan State Universtiy. - Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance Inc
To support the Organizations mission. - Cch Freedom
To support the Organizaiton's mission. - Wellspring for the World
To help fund water wells in Africa.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 88 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | $1,519,413 | $3,159 |
| 2022 | 48 | $1,372,233 | $3,644 |
| 2023 | 47 | $1,158,344 | $2,816 |
| 2024 | 27 | $923,472 | $2,486 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
71% of its giving went to organizations in Minnesota. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $2,713. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Minnesota.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Carter Family Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 130 Spur Cir, Wayzata, MN, 55391. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 20-3311749 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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