Funders › Minnesota

The Sauer Family Foundation

St Paul, MN · EIN 41-1859711. Reported 503 grants totalling $58.1M to 234 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$65,000median grant
$58.1Mgranted, 2021-2025
234recipients, as named on its returns
66%of grantees funded again the next year
$48.7Massets, latest filing

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 Sauer 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.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $65,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $30,000 and $110,400; the smallest was $200 and the largest $9,000,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
1 grant
$1,000 - $5,000
4 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
11 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
59 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
112 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
153 grants
$100,000 and Up
163 grants

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.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Fidelity Charitable TrustCincinnati, OH$9,000,000112024
V3 SportsMinneapolis, MN$3,000,000112023
Scott County Department of Health and Human Services Child WelfareShakopee, MN$1,758,254552025
University of Mn FoundationMinneapolis, MN$1,743,065552025
Wayside Recovery CenterSt Louis Park, MN$1,294,244552025
Wallin Education PartnersSaint Paul, MN$1,293,000442025
Amherst H Wilder FoundationSaint Paul, MN$1,138,830332025
Lutheran Social ServicesMinneapolis, MN$1,050,986332025
Foundation for the Arts and Trauma IncNew Haven, CT$1,045,000442024
ServeminnesotaMinneapolis, MN$945,000552025
Black Men TeachHopkins, MN$830,000552025
Mobile HopeCorcoran, MN$705,000222025
Canine Inspired ChangeSaint Paul, MN$684,481552025
Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis, MN$645,537552025
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin CitiesSaint Paul, MN$637,500552025
University of St ThomasSt Paul, MN$612,500442025
Ain Dah Yung (our Home) CenterSt Paul, MN$601,625442024
BellisElk River, MN$600,000442025
Washburn Center for ChildrenMinneapolis, MN$595,000552025
Foster AdvocatesSt Paul, MN$592,560552025
Ampersand FamiliesRoseville, MN$589,250552025
Neighborhood HouseSt Paul, MN$582,779552025
Mitchell Hamline School of Law Child Protection ProgramSaint Paul, MN$554,785332024
Great Mn SchoolsMinneapolis, MN$530,125552025
Fostering Media ConnectionsLos Angeles, CA$525,000552025
The Sanneh FoundationSt Paul, MN$494,225442025
The Global Orphan Project (aka Careportal)Kansas City, MO$490,000332025
Montessori Center of MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN$475,000552025
Urban League Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN$433,415442024
National Association of Social Workers Mn ChapterEden Prairie, MN$404,746442025
Minnesota Judicial BranchSaint Paul, MN$403,332222024
Hennepin CountyMinneapolis, MN$366,500332025
Keeping Families Connected MnMinneapolis, MN$366,500112025
St Louis County PhhsDuluth, MN$359,360332024
West Central InitiativeFergus Falls, MN$347,918222025
KIPP MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$347,400442025
EdalliesMinneapolis, MN$340,000552025
Friends of the ChildrenPortland, OR$340,000332024
FamilywiseMinneapolis, MN$330,000552025
The Reading Center Dyslexia Institute of MnRochester, MN$324,000442025
Reading PartnersSt Paul, MN$310,000552025
Star HouseSaint Paul, MN$302,484332025
Minneapolis American Indian CenterMinneapolis, MN$287,000222023
Mn Counties FoundationMinneapolis, MN$286,000222024
Washington County Community ServicesStillwater, MN$284,403332025
Dakota CountyHastings, MN$279,697222024
Groves AcademySt Louis Park, MN$275,000222024
Groves Learning Organization (academy)St Louis Park, MN$275,000332025
Tri-Valley Opportunity CouncilGlencoe, MN$272,276222024
Families Rise TogetherDuluth, MN$271,700112021
Way to GrowMinneapolis, MN$270,000552025
Carver CountyChaska, MN$265,200222024
Main Street Family ServicesElk River, MN$263,077222025
Tntp IncNew York, NY$260,000442024
Rs EdenMinneapolis, MN$255,000442025
Urban Ventures Leadership FoundationMinneapolis, MN$252,780552025
Minnesota Department of EducationMinneapolis, MN$251,682442025
Endazhi-NitaawigingRed Lake, MN$250,000222024
Playworks Education EnergizeSaint Paul, MN$249,250332025
Phyllis Wheatley Community CenterMinneapolis, MN$249,000222024
Hornets Hive Dba CornerstoneFrazee, MN$244,858222025
Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato, MN$243,500442025
Perspectives IncSt Louis Park, MN$234,000332023
Morrison County Health and Human ServicesLittle Falls, MN$223,300112024
Swift County Human ServicesBenson, MN$223,300112025
The Well Ministries (dba Treehouse of Scott County)New Prague, MN$211,150222025
YWCA MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN$211,079222024
Ascension AcademiesMinneapolis, MN$210,000222025
Peris FoundationMinneapolis, MN$207,000332025
University of MnMinneapolis, MN$202,400222024
AliaSaint Paul, MN$200,000332023
Carver County Health & Human ServicesChaska, MN$200,000112025
Park Nicollet FoundationMinneapolis, MN$200,000332025
Mn Association for Children's Mental HealthSaint Paul, MN$198,565222024
Merrick Community ServicesSt Paul, MN$180,650112024
AvivoMinneapolis, MN$177,200442025
Western Prairie Human ServicesGlenwood, MN$177,000222025
Catholic Schools Center of ExcellenceEdina, MN$175,000442025
Friends of the ChildrenMinneapolis, MN$175,000112025
The Bridge for YouthMinneapolis, MN$174,500222025
Mankato Area Public SchoolsMankato, MN$170,146222024
Prodeo AcademyColumbia Heights, MN$167,500332024
Minnesota Counties FoundationSt Paul, MN$163,255332025
Wright County Community ActionMaple Lake, MN$163,027222024
Minnesota Excellence in Learning AcademyMaple Grove, MN$162,500332023
Otter Tail CountyFergus Falls, MN$161,200222024
Center for Family UnityOwatonna, MN$157,150332025
Family Service RochesterRochester, MN$156,249332025
Division of Indian WorkMinneapolis, MN$152,589222025
Friends of EducationMinnetonka, MN$150,000332025
Goodwill Industries Inc Dba Goodwill-Easter Seals MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN$150,000112025
Peacemaker MinnesotaRoseville, MN$150,000222025
Rice CountyFairbault, MN$150,000222024
Stearns CountySt Cloud, MN$150,000112024
Parenting With PurposeBrooklyn Park, MN$146,000332025
Pine CountyPine City, MN$145,000112024
Shiloh Temple ChurchMinneapolis, MN$142,000112021
YWCA of MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN$138,921112025
Southern Mn Crisis NurseryNew Ulm, MN$135,000332025
Minnesota Social Service AssocationSaint Paul, MN$131,500222024
Baby's Space a Place to GrowMinneapolis, MN$130,000442025
Pine County Health and Human ServicesPine City, MN$130,000112022
Teach for America Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN$130,000442024
White Bear Lake Area SchoolsWhite Bear Lake, MN$129,905222022
Family Refuge VillageMinneapolis, MN$128,159112023
Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota Dba Mentor MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$125,110222025
Volunteers of America MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$125,085112024
Normandale Community CollegeBloomington, MN$125,000112023
Mnprairie County AllianceOwatonna, MN$123,555112023
Connect Our KidsFalls Church, VA$120,000112021
St David's Center for ChildrenMinnetonka, MN$120,000332025
Interfaith Action of Greater Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN$119,252112023
Connections to IndependenceMinneapolis, MN$117,352222022
Breakthrough Twin CitiesSt Paul, MN$115,000442025
Otter Tail County Human ResourcesFergus Falls, MN$110,400112025
CornerhouseMinneapolis, MN$110,370222024
Decoding Dyslexia MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN$110,000332024
Clay CountyMoorhead, MN$108,320112025
Minnesota Children's AllianceRoseville, MN$106,740222024
Minnesota Association for Children's Mental HealthSaint Paul, MN$105,320222025
Ascention Catholic SchoolMinneapolis, MN$105,000112024
Des Moines Valley Health and Human ServicesJackson, MN$100,650112025
African American Child Wellness InstitutePlymouth, MN$100,000222022
AspiremnSaint Paul, MN$100,000222024
Breakthrough Minneapolis at Blake (formerly Learningworks)Minneapolis, MN$100,000442025
Goodwill-Easter SealsSaint Paul, MN$100,000222024
Lee Carlson CenterFridley, MN$100,000222022
Minnesota Recovery ConnectionSt Paul, MN$100,000222025
Brown CountyNew Ulm, MN$99,640112024
Rice County Family Services CollaborativeFaribault, MN$97,000112025
Kandiyohi CountyWillmar, MN$96,825112025
Special School District No 1 Aka Minneapolis Public SchoolsMinneapolis, MN$95,000112025
Corporation for Supportive HousingNew York, NY$93,717222022
Centro IncMinneapolis, MN$92,500222025
Raising Hands TutoringHighland Park, NJ$92,000222024
The Jeremiah ProgramMinneapolis, MN$92,000222024
Saint Paul Public SchoolsSaint Paul, MN$91,000332025
Hill-Murray SchoolMaplewood, MN$89,000112025
Southeast Service CooperativeRochester, MN$88,000112025
Greater Minneapolis Crisis NurseryMinneapolis, MN$87,272332025
Minnesota Social Service AssociationSaint Paul, MN$84,000112025
Children's Home Society of MnSaint Paul, MN$83,915332024
Minnesota State University MankatoMankato, MN$83,872112021
Clay CountyGreen Cove Springs, FL$83,025222024
Tickets for Kids CharitiesSt Paul, MN$80,750442025
American Indian Family CenterSaint Paul, MN$80,300112023
Anoka CountyAnoka, MN$80,000112024
Better Family Life Minnesota IncSt Paul, MN$80,000222022
Lda MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$80,000332024
Risen Christ Catholic SchoolMinneapolis, MN$80,000222025
The Reel Hope ProjectMinneapolis, MN$80,000442025
Domestic Abuse ProjectMinneapolis, MN$78,600112024
Proof AllianceSt Paul, MN$76,150112024
First Call for Help of Itasca CountyGrand Rapids, MN$75,000112025
Relate IncMinnetonka, MN$75,000222024
Normandale Community College FoundationBloomington, MN$74,725112025
Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN$72,615112023
The Dwelling PlaceColumbia Heights, MN$70,365112024
Before RacismSaint Paul, MN$70,000112023
The Wildflower FoundationMinneapolis, MN$70,000332023
Women's Advocates IncSaint Paul, MN$69,145112025
Hill-MurrayMaplewood, MN$67,240332024
The Family PartnershipMinneapolis, MN$66,319112022
Canvas HealthBloomington, MN$65,000332024
Liberty Community ChurchMinneapolis, MN$63,825112025
Rebound IncMinneapolis, MN$62,725112024
Le Sueur County Integrated Children's Mental Health & Family Services CollaLe Center, MN$62,123112025
The Literacy Matters FoundationMinneapolis, MN$61,000112021
Child's PlaceRedwood Falls, MN$60,000112022
Meeker County Health and Human ServicesLitchfield, MN$60,000112025
Think SmallSaint Paul, MN$60,000222024
Mahtomedi Public SchoolsMahtomedi, MN$59,270332023
FraserMinneapolis, MN$53,774222025
Brighter Days Family Grief CenterEden Prairie, MN$50,000112025
Sherburne County Health & Human ServicesElk River, MN$50,000112023
My Very Own BedMinneapolis, MN$49,850222025
Exponent PhilanthropyWashington, DC$45,000222025
Ellison CenterSt Cloud, MN$44,000112024
White Earth Land Recovery ProjectCallaway, MN$43,110112025
Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library (sprockets)St Paul, MN$42,012112025
Change IncSaint Paul, MN$42,000332025
Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in MnMinneapolis, MN$41,730112021
A Chance to GrowMinneapolis, MN$41,649332023
AttachSanta Fe, NV$40,030112023
Mn Prison Doula ProjectSt Louis Park, MN$40,000112025
Ostara InitiativeMinneapolis, MN$40,000112024
St Paul School of Northern LightsSaint Paul, MN$40,000222023
Northeast Youth & Family ServicesShoreview, MN$39,903112023
Arrows Family ServicesMilaca, MN$39,727112024
The LinkMinneapolis, MN$39,000112022
The Journey SchoolSt Paul, MN$35,000112021
Union Gospel Mission Twin CitiesSt Paul, MN$30,475112025
Headway Emotional Health ServicesRichfield, MN$30,000112022
Hiawatha AcademiesMinneapolis, MN$30,000112021
Lincoln Park Children & Families CollaborativeDuluth, MN$30,000112023
Mediation and Restorative ServicesBlaine, MN$30,000332023
Minnesota Education Equity PartnershipSaint Paul, MN$30,000112021
Minnesota Foster and Adoptive FamiliesSt Stephen, MN$30,000112021
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$30,000112023
Unprison ProjectMinneapolis, MN$29,000112023
FamilymeansStillwater, MN$28,805112024
TubmanMinneapolis, MN$28,750112024
CASA MnMinneapolis, MN$28,500112025
Greater Twin Cities United WayMinneapolis, MN$27,375112024
Children's MinnesotaEdina, MN$25,000112021
Learningworks at BlakeMinneapolis, MN$25,000112021
Southside Family Nurturing CenterMinneapolis, MN$25,000112021
Fridley Public SchoolFridley, MN$24,907112024
Foster Together MnLakeville, MN$23,850112023
Hallie Q Brown Community Center IncSaint Paul, MN$22,724112023
City of FrazeeFrazee, MN$20,000112024
Stand Up Minnesota Parents UnitedSaint Paul, MN$20,000112024
Wellcome Manor Family ServicesGarden City, MN$20,000112025
South Saint Paul Public SchoolsSt Paul, MN$17,550112024
Annex Teen ClinincRobbinsdale, MN$16,678112024
Power of StoryMinneapolis, MN$16,180112023
AttachBloomington, MN$12,500112021
Dakota WoodlandsEagan, MN$10,000112025
Evolve Adoption & Family ServicesStillwater, MN$10,000112021
Hunt InstituteDurham, NC$10,000112023
James B Hunt JR Institute for Educational Leadership & Policy FdnCary, NC$10,000112022
James B Hunt JR Institute for Educational Leadership & Policy FoundationCary, NC$10,000112025
Center for Healing and Justice Through SportOak Park, IL$9,800112025
Little Free LibraryHudson, WI$6,860112021
Little Earth Residents AssociationMinneapolis, MN$6,850112023
Heart of DanceMinneapolis, MN$6,000112022
Camp Fire MinnesotaExcelsior, MN$5,000112025
Care in Action MinnesotaOakdale, MN$5,000112022
MacsaMinneapolis, MN$5,000112024
Minnesota Adult & Teen ChallengeMinneapolis, MN$5,000112022
Wilder FoundationSt Paul, MN$3,150112025
St Cloud Area Family YMCASt Cloud, MN$1,800112025
Committee Against Domestic Abuse (cada) IncMankato, MN$1,050112025
Mitchell Hamline School of LawSt Paul, MN$200112024

129 of 234 (55%) received money in more than one year over the 5 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 66%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. 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.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 298 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.

Human Services
105 grants
Education
88 grants
Youth Development
22 grants
Mental Health
21 grants
Crime & Legal
14 grants
Community Improvement
12 grants
Housing & Shelter
9 grants
Animal Welfare
5 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202174$5,017,609$40,364
202280$5,486,302$50,000
2023114$12.5M$65,443
2024125$21.2M$80,000
2025110$13.9M$89,500

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

79% 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.

Minnesota
$45.9M
Ohio
$9.0M
Connecticut
$1.0M
California
$525K
Missouri
$490K
New York
$354K
Oregon
$340K
Virginia
$120K

Get funders for your state and cause by email

We email you funders that gave to organizations in your state and cause, up to five at a time each week and never the same one twice, from their own IRS filings. Free. The weekly email has not started yet.

Unsubscribe in one click from any email. We never sell or share your address. To match on your organization and typical grant size too, keep a private profile.

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.

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation94 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund89 shared recipientsOtto Bremer Trust84 shared recipientsThe Minneapolis Foundation82 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc78 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc76 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $65,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Minnesota.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in OhioEvery funder in this group

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Sauer Family Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). 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: 952 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN, 55105. 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 41-1859711 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.