The Bethel University Foundation, an independent nonprofit, exists for the purpose of enhancing the financial strength of Bethel University and facilitating gifts from donors to support student transformation.
Bethel University Foundation’s recent giving is centered on programming support for Bethel University, with large awards landing at the university itself in St. Paul. The biggest recent grant on file is $771,003 in 2024, followed closely by a $765,900 award in 2025, both for programming. That pattern points to a funder focused on institutional support rather than a broad external grants portfolio. The foundation’s stated purpose is to enhance the financial strength of Bethel University and facilitate donor gifts that support student transformation. Its focus areas include higher education, student scholarships and financial aid, endowment support, and planned giving. The foundation also serves as the administrator for the Strategic Growth Award, an internal award used for university projects. Its recent grant record shows all grants directed to Bethel University in Minnesota, which matches the local scope of its giving. With annual grants of $1,742,811 and assets of $22,745,842, the foundation operates at a level that supports sizable institutional awards and ongoing university priorities.
One clear theme is university programming and institutional development. Bethel University received $771,003 in 2024 for programming, and the foundation’s Strategic Growth Award is designed for university academic initiatives, research, and program development. Scholarship and financial-aid support is another stated area of work. The foundation lists student scholarships and financial aid among its focus areas, alongside higher education and student support services. Endowment support is also part of its grantmaking profile. The foundation identifies endowment building and institutional sustainability as core philosophy tags, which aligns with its stated purpose of strengthening Bethel University financially. Planned giving appears in the foundation’s stated focus areas as well, reflecting its role in facilitating gifts from donors and stewardship of donor support.
Typical grant size is high: the p25 is $485,904, the median is $765,900, and the p75 is $768,452. That distribution suggests a narrow band of large institutional awards rather than many small grants. The recent grant list shows awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, all to the same university, indicating repeated support over multiple years. The foundation is structured as an independent nonprofit foundation serving Bethel University, and it also administers the Strategic Growth Award. Unsolicited requests are accepted for that internal award program.
$651K
$19.1M
$2.7M
$2M
Most grants fall between $486K and $768K, with a median of $766K.
25th Percentile
$486K
Median
$766K
75th Percentile
$768K
JEANNE OSGOOD
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Giving is concentrated entirely in Minnesota: 100% of grants in the recent record went to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is MN. The named recipient city in the grant list is St. Paul, where Bethel University is located. The country distribution is also fully domestic, with all recorded grants in the US. This is a local giving profile focused on a single institution rather than a multi-state or international portfolio.
Its recent grants are directed to Bethel University for programming. The foundation’s stated purpose is to enhance the financial strength of Bethel University and support student transformation, with focus areas including higher education, scholarships and financial aid, endowment support, and planned giving.
The foundation’s typical grant size is large. The p25 is $485,904, the median is $765,900, and the p75 is $768,452. Recent grants include awards of $771,003 in 2024 and $765,900 in 2025.
No. The recent grant record shows 100% of grants going to recipients in Minnesota, and the country distribution is 100% US. The named recipient location in the grants list is St. Paul, MN.
Yes for the Strategic Growth Award. That program is described as an internal foundation award for university projects, and it accepts unsolicited requests. It is administered through Bethel University Foundation services and requires mid-year and annual reporting.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BETHEL UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $650,500 | 2026 | PROGRAMMING |
| BETHEL UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $765,900 | 2025 | PROGRAMMING |
| BETHEL UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $771,003 | 2024 | PROGRAMMING |
| BETHEL UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $205,908 | 2023 | PROGRAMMING |