The Albert B Cuppage Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on local Albert Lea / Freeborn County organizations, supporting community-building projects, faith-based youth programs, and educational scholarships. Typical recipients are neighborhood institutions—churches, schools, the YMCA, food shelf, and local civic groups—and grants often fund capital/community amenities (playground, trail), program support, and student scholarships. The foundation favors practical, place-based investments that strengthen community life and youth opportunities.
A defining feature of the Albert B Cuppage Charitable Foundation is its repeated support for place-based community projects in Albert Lea, including the All Together Playground, which received $5,000 in both 2024 and 2025. That pattern sits alongside grants for the Blazing Star Trail, youth scholarships, food assistance, and local civic programs. The foundation’s recent giving shows a steady preference for small, practical awards that help local institutions carry out visible community work rather than large, distant grants. The foundation’s recent grants reach churches, schools, a family Y, a trail association, a historical society, and community-service organizations. It has supported Youth for Christ Albert Lea with scholarship funding, Albert Lea Family Y with sustaining support, and Freeborn County Trail Assoc for trail work. It also backs local basic-needs efforts through groups such as Ecumencial Food Shelf and Semcac, while funding student scholarships through Riverland Community College and individual scholarship recipients. Across the record on file, the Albert B Cuppage Charitable Foundation appears focused on strengthening everyday life in its community through education, recreation, faith-based youth work, and direct social support. The grant list suggests a local donor that favors familiar institutions and specific projects with clear community benefit.
Youth education and extracurriculars are a clear theme in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $3,500 to Youth for Christ Albert Lea for scholarships in 2025 and $2,000 to Albert Lea Public Schools for Robotics-Robot Boost in 2024. Scholarship support also reached Riverland Community College, including a $2,000 grant for Foundation Scholarships in 2025 and another $2,000 award to a scholarship recipient in 2023. Basic-needs support appears through food and clothing programs. In 2025, Grace Lutheran Church received $3,000 for the Food for Backpacks Program, and the foundation gave $3,000 to St Theodore Catholic Church for Loaves & Fishes in 2025. It also funded Az-1 in Clarks Grove for Jack Frost Closet, with grants of $3,000 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. Community amenities and public-facing projects are another recurring thread. The Albert Lea Chamber Foundation received $5,000 for All Together Playground in 2025, and Freeborn County Trail Assoc received $5,000 for Blazing Star Trail in 2025. The Freeborn County Historical Society also received support for an interactive exhibit space.
$41K
$1.1M
$38K
$43K
Most grants fall between $1K and $3K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$3K
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Modest, locally concentrated giving: many small-to-medium grants with repeated support to core local organizations rather than large multi-year endowments. Grants are often unrestricted or for general program support, capital/community projects, and individual scholarships, demonstrating steady, diversified support across civic, faith, education, and social-service sectors within the same geography.
Notable grantees: Albert Lea Chamber Foundation, St Theodore Catholic Church, Youth for Christ (Albert Lea), Ecumenical Food Shelf, Albert Lea Public Schools
Typical grants are small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $3,000. The recent record includes repeated support for several recipients across multiple years, including Albert Lea Chamber Foundation, Youth for Christ Albert Lea, Semcac, Riverland Community College, and St Theodore Catholic Church. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, reflecting a mix of institutional support and direct scholarship aid. Its grants are local in scope, and the pattern is consistent with place-based, project-oriented giving rather than larger, infrequent awards.
The foundation gives overwhelmingly in Minnesota: 92% of grants go to recipients in its HQ state. Albert Lea is the main recipient city, with grants also reaching Austin and Clarks Grove. Outside Minnesota, one recent scholarship grant went to Madison, Wisconsin. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 52 grants to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants support community recreation, youth programs, scholarships, food assistance, and local civic or educational projects. Examples in the record include playground work, trail support, scholarship funding, robotics, and backpack or food shelf programs.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations. In the recent grants list, Gavin Quam in Madison, Wisconsin received a $2,000 scholarship recipient award in 2025.
The grant-size distribution is small: p25 is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and p75 is $3,000. That points to a pattern of modest awards rather than large grants.
It gives most often in Minnesota, with 92% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Albert Lea is the main recipient city, followed by smaller numbers in Austin and Clarks Grove.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Albert Lea Chamber Foundation, Youth for Christ Albert Lea, Semcac, Riverland Community College, and St Theodore Catholic Church. That indicates repeated support for some organizations rather than only one-time grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALBERT LEA CHAMBER FOUNDATION | ALBERT LEA, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | ALL TOGETHER PLAYGROUND |
| ALBERT LEA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION | ALBERT LEA, MN | $4,875 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT |
| ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH ST THEO SCHOOL | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | FIELD TRIPS |
| AL PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | CEO PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN LEGION POST 56 | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | LEGION BASESBALL |
| ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | LOAVES & FISHES |
| ECUMENCIAL FOOD SHELF 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | FOOD FOR BACKPACKS PROGRAM |
| SEMCAC | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| RIVERLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ALBERT LEA FAMILY Y | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | SUSTAINING CAMPAIGN |
| FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| LIFE CENTER OF FREEBORN COUNTY | ALBERT LEA, MN | $1,500 | 2026 | ATHLETIC/REC HEALTH PROGRAMS |
| ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ALBERT LEA, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | VEX ROBOTICS BOOSTERS |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES ALBERT LEA CHAPTER | ARDEN HILLS, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | FCA CAMP |
| MORGAN ANFINSON | MANKATO, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| INDEP SCHOOL DISTRICT 242 ALDEN-CONGER SCHOOLS | ALDEN, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | KNIGHTS FOOD LOCKER |
| NEVAEH WACHOLZ | ST PAUL, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SO MN WOMEN'S CENTER D/B/A RACHEL'S HOPE | AUSTIN, MN | $750 | 2026 | TRAVEL ASSISTANCE |
| GLENVILLE-EMMONS YOUTH SPORTS | GLENVILLE, MN | $500 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| ALBERT LEA CIVIC MUSIC | ALBERT LEA, MN | $500 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL | ITASCA, IL | $500 | 2026 | PROGRAMS |
| PARENTS COMMUNICATIO NETWORK OF ALBERT LEA INC | ALBERT LEA, MN | $500 | 2026 | AFTER GRAD PARTY |
| ALBERT LEA CHAMBER FOUNDATION | ALBERT LEA, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | ALL TOGETHER PLAYGROUND |
| FREEBORN COUNTY TRAIL ASSOC | ALBERT LEA, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | BLAZING STAR TRAIL |
| ALBERT LEA HEALTHCARE COALITION | ALBERT LEA, MN | $4,000 | 2025 | GALA FUNDRAISER |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST ALBERT LEA | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2025 | FOOD FOR BACKPACKS PROGRAM |
| ECUMENCIAL FOOD SHELF | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2025 | LOAVES & FISHES |
| RIVERLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE | AUSTIN, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SEMCAC | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ALBERT LEA FAMILY Y | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | SUSTAINING CAMPAIGN |
| GAVIN QUAM | MADISON, WI | $2,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| AZ-1 | CLARKS GROVE, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | JACK FROST CLOSET |
| ERIN BOORSMA | AUSTIN, MN | $1,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| MORGAN ANFINSON | MANKATO, MN | $1,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| CASSANDRA MARINEZ | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| ALBERT LEA CIVIC MUSIC | ALBERT LEA, MN | $500 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ALBERT LEA, MN | $500 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ALBERT LEA, MN | $500 | 2025 | AFTER GRAD PARTY |
| ALBERT LEA CHAMBER FOUNDATION | ALBERT LEA, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | ALL TOGETHER PLAYGROUND |
| ECUMENCIAL FOOD SHELF | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL DONATION |
| AZ-1 | CLARKS GROVE, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | JACK FROST CLOSET |
| UNITED WAY | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN-HANDICAP RAMP |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST ALBERT LEA | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH | ALBERT LEA, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | LOAVES & FISHES |
| FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,100 | 2024 | INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT SPACE |
| RIVERLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDAT | AUSTIN, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| FREEBON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ALBERT LEA, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | TOYS AND DOLLS EXHIBIT |
ALBERT LEA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$5,000ALL TOGETHER PLAYGROUND
ALBERT LEA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
$4,875EQUIPMENT
ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH ST THEO SCHOOL
$2,500FIELD TRIPS
AL PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$2,500CEO PROGRAM
AMERICAN LEGION POST 56
$2,000LEGION BASESBALL
ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH
$2,000LOAVES & FISHES
ECUMENCIAL FOOD SHELF 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$2,000GENERAL DONATION
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$2,000FOOD FOR BACKPACKS PROGRAM
SEMCAC
$2,000GENERAL DONATION
RIVERLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$2,000FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
ALBERT LEA FAMILY Y
$2,000SUSTAINING CAMPAIGN
FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000SPONSORSHIP
LIFE CENTER OF FREEBORN COUNTY
$1,500ATHLETIC/REC HEALTH PROGRAMS
ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$1,000VEX ROBOTICS BOOSTERS
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES ALBERT LEA CHAPTER
$1,000FCA CAMP
MORGAN ANFINSON
$1,000SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
INDEP SCHOOL DISTRICT 242 ALDEN-CONGER SCHOOLS
$1,000KNIGHTS FOOD LOCKER
NEVAEH WACHOLZ
$1,000SCHOLARSHIP
SO MN WOMEN'S CENTER D/B/A RACHEL'S HOPE
$750TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
GLENVILLE-EMMONS YOUTH SPORTS
$500SPONSORSHIP
ALBERT LEA CIVIC MUSIC
$500SPONSORSHIP
NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL
$500PROGRAMS
PARENTS COMMUNICATIO NETWORK OF ALBERT LEA INC
$500AFTER GRAD PARTY
ALBERT LEA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$5,000ALL TOGETHER PLAYGROUND
FREEBORN COUNTY TRAIL ASSOC
$5,000BLAZING STAR TRAIL
ALBERT LEA HEALTHCARE COALITION
$4,000GALA FUNDRAISER
YOUTH FOR CHRIST ALBERT LEA
$3,500SCHOLARSHIPS
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$3,000FOOD FOR BACKPACKS PROGRAM
ECUMENCIAL FOOD SHELF
$3,000GENERAL DONATION
ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH
$3,000LOAVES & FISHES
RIVERLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$2,000FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
SEMCAC
$2,000GENERAL DONATION
ALBERT LEA FAMILY Y
$2,000SUSTAINING CAMPAIGN
GAVIN QUAM
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
AZ-1
$2,000JACK FROST CLOSET
ERIN BOORSMA
$1,000SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
MORGAN ANFINSON
$1,000SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
CASSANDRA MARINEZ
$1,000SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
ALBERT LEA CIVIC MUSIC
$500SPONSORSHIP
FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$500SPONSORSHIP
ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$500AFTER GRAD PARTY
ALBERT LEA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$5,000ALL TOGETHER PLAYGROUND
ECUMENCIAL FOOD SHELF
$3,000GENERAL DONATION
AZ-1
$3,000JACK FROST CLOSET
UNITED WAY
$3,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN-HANDICAP RAMP
YOUTH FOR CHRIST ALBERT LEA
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS
ST THEODORE CATHOLIC CHURCH
$3,000LOAVES & FISHES
FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,100INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT SPACE
RIVERLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDAT
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
FREEBON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000TOYS AND DOLLS EXHIBIT