About Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation
The Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on large, targeted gifts to higher education and scientific research institutions. Nearly all giving is split between the University of Minnesota (multiple gifts to university funds) and support for the Weizmann Institute of Science (via its American committee), indicating a focus on advancing university-level programs and international scientific research, including ties to Israeli science institutions.
Focus Areas
Major gifts to university endowments and designated university funds (University of Minnesota)Philanthropic support for basic scientific research and research institutions (Weizmann Institute of Science)Support for international science collaboration and Jewish/Israel-linked scientific philanthropy
Who They Fund
children/pediatric patientsuniversities/higher education institutionsnonprofit organizations (unspecified/general)
Giving Approach
Highly concentrated giving: only a handful of large grants (six grants totaling ~$4.1M) split primarily between two recurring grantees; the foundation makes repeated, sizable gifts rather than many small or diverse awards.
About Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation
Blythe Brenden-mann Foundation’s largest recent grants have gone to the University of Minnesota Foundation, including a $964,700 gift in 2025 and a $823,320 gift in 2024, with additional major support to the same institution in 2023. That pattern shows a funder willing to make large, repeated institutional commitments rather than scatter many small awards. The foundation also backed the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc with sizable grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, pointing to a second long-running priority in scientific research and international research institutions. Recent grants also extend beyond higher education and science. The foundation has provided operating support to Minnesota-based arts, civic, and human services organizations, including Artspace Projects Inc, The Sanneh Foundation Inc, Greater Twin Cities United Way, and Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Its recent record includes support for children’s health-related work through Childrens Cancer Research Fund. Across these gifts, the foundation appears to favor institution-level support, often through general operating or designated funds, with the largest dollars reserved for university and research commitments.
What Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation Funds
Higher education is one of the clearest themes in the recent record. The foundation gave $964,700 to University of Minnesota Foundation in 2025 and $823,320 in 2024, both for various funds and designated university support. Scientific research is another major area. It awarded $760,500 in 2023 and $507,000 in 2024 to American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc, then followed with another $300,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports arts and community organizations. In 2025 it gave $100,000 to Artspace Projects Inc for general operating, and it made $50,000 and $20,000 grants to The Sanneh Foundation Inc and Greater Twin Cities United Way, respectively, both in 2025. Women’s Foundation of Minnesota also received operating support in multiple years.
How Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation Gives
Typical grants cluster around moderate institutional gifts, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $20,000, and p75 of $37,500. The pattern is unusually bimodal: a small set of very large university and research grants sits alongside a steady stream of $10,000 to $20,000 operating gifts. Recipients recur across multiple years, including the University of Minnesota Foundation, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Guthrie Theatre Foundation, Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Animal Humane Society, and Pet Haven Inc of Minnesota. Grantmaking is direct and invitation-only, and it does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$4.6M
Total Assets
$22.2M
Total Revenue
$2.2M
Total Expenses
$1.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $38K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$38K
Geographic Reach
Regional3 states funded
About 0% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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