Cross Works Foundation concentrates its giving on local youth-serving institutions and Catholic/parochial education in the St. Joseph/Minnesota region, favoring general operating support. The foundation makes large, targeted grants to a small number of organizations focused on informal learning (children’s museum), K–12 faith-based schools, and traditional youth development (Boy Scouts). Its grants suggest an interest in sustaining local community infrastructure rather than funding one-off projects or distant causes.
A recurring pattern defines Cross Works Foundation’s grantmaking: large general-fund awards to a small circle of Minnesota institutions, especially youth-serving and Catholic education organizations. In the most recent grants, the foundation gave $700,000 to Holy Family School in Albany, $627,000 to Hope Academy Inc in Minneapolis, and $500,000 to Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund in Freeport. Those awards fit a broader record of flexible support rather than project-specific funding, with general fund language appearing across the grant list. The foundation also backs informal learning and youth development. Great River Childrens Museum in Minneapolis received $1,000,000 in 2023 and another $500,000 in both 2024 and 2025, while Boy Scouts of America - Central Minnesota Council in Sartell received $496,100 in 2024 and $387,500 in 2023. Catholic organizations appear repeatedly as well, including Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St Cloud, St Cloud Area Family YMCA, and several Catholic school or campus ministries. The pattern points to local institutional support in Minnesota, with some grants extending to nearby states.
Catholic and faith-based education is one of the clearest themes in Cross Works Foundation’s grantmaking. Recent awards include $700,000 to Holy Family School for general fund support, $500,000 to Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund for general fund support, and $150,000 to St Thomas More Catholic Newman Center Parish of Mankato Minnesota for general fund support. Youth development and family programming is another consistent area. Boy Scouts of America - Central Minnesota Council received $496,100 in 2024 for general fund support, and the St Cloud Area Family YMCA received $200,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for general fund support. The foundation also funds children’s informal learning and school choice settings. Great River Childrens Museum in Minneapolis received $1,000,000 in 2023 for general fund support and additional $500,000 awards in 2024 and 2025, while Hope Academy Inc received $627,000 in 2025 for general fund support.
Cross Works Foundation’s typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $45,000 at the median, and $126,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows much larger awards, including several in the $500,000 to $1,000,000 range. Repeated awards to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025 suggest ongoing support rather than one-time grants. The grant list uses general fund language throughout, which points to flexible operating support. The foundation makes grants only; it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$4.1M
$64M
$3.5M
$4.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $127K, with a median of $45K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$45K
75th Percentile
$127K
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Highly concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat local grantees; predominantly unrestricted/general operating support with multiple multi-year or repeat awards.
Notable grantees: Great River Children's Museum, Hope Academy Inc, Boy Scouts of America - Central Minnesota Council, Holy Family School, Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Minnesota, which accounts for 87% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Minneapolis appears often, including awards to Great River Childrens Museum, Hope Academy Inc, and Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. Saint Cloud also shows up repeatedly through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St Cloud, St Cloud Area Family YMCA, and Centracare Health Foundation. Outside Minnesota, the recent grants include recipients in Fargo, North Dakota, and Stephenville, Texas. All recorded grants in the data go to U.S. recipients.
The grant list centers on youth-serving institutions, Catholic and parochial education, and local community organizations. Recent examples include Holy Family School, Hope Academy Inc, Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund, Boy Scouts of America - Central Minnesota Council, and Great River Childrens Museum. General fund language appears across these awards.
Typical grants are $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $45,000 at the median, and $126,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants such as $700,000 to Holy Family School and $1,000,000 to Great River Childrens Museum.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Great River Childrens Museum in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Hope Academy Inc in 2024 and 2025; and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St Cloud in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern indicates ongoing support.
Minnesota is the main geography for its grantmaking, with 87% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and Minnesota listed as the top state by grant count. Minneapolis, Saint Cloud, Albany, Sartell, and Buffalo all appear in the recent grants list.
The recent grants are labeled general fund, indicating flexible support. The foundation also does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, so its giving is directed to organizations rather than people or PRI activity.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL | ALBANY, MN | $700,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE ACADEMY INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $627,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND | FREEPORT, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| GREAT RIVER CHILDRENS MUSEUM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF ST CLOUD | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST MONICAS MONTESSORI INC | FARGO, ND | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST CLOUD AREA FAMILY YMCA | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MINNESOTA CITIZENS CONCERNED FOR LIFE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER PARISH OF MANKATO MINNESOTA | MANKATO, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| STPAUL'S CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER-NDSU CAMPUS FARGO | FARGO, ND | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PARK FOREVER INC | COLD SPRING, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHURCH OF SAINT JOSEPH | SAINT JOSEPH, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCHESTER, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL OUTREACH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CENTRAL MINNESOTA COUNCIL | SARTELL, MN | $28,750 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CENTRACARE HEALTH FOUNDATION | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES UPPER MIDWEST | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| DIOCESE OF ST CLOUD | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH | WAYZATA, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| DEMONTREVILLA JESUIT RETREAT | LAKE ELMO, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MINNESOTA FAMILY INSTITUTE | AVON, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| BIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA INC | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ORONO FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION | LONG LAKE, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL | SARTELL, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PROJECT FOR THE PEOPLE OF PARAGUAY | AVON, MN | $2,384 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST JOSEPH BOOSTER CLUB | SAINT JOSEPH, MN | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CITY OF AVON | AVON, MN | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SUGARBUSH TRAIL ASSOCIATION INC | TOFTE, MN | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL ASSOCIATION | TWO HARBORS, MN | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEVER SURRENDER INC | HERMANTOWN, MN | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE ACADEMY INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $625,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| GREAT RIVER CHILDRENS MUSEUM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CENTRAL MINNESOTA COUNCIL | SARTELL, MN | $496,100 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF ST CLOUD | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST CLOUD AREA FAMILY YMCA | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| CENTRACARE HEALTH FOUNDATION | SAINT CLOUD, MN | $182,026 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST MONICAS MONTESSORI INC | FARGO, ND | $164,880 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| STPAUL'S CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER-NDSU CAMPUS FARGO | FARGO, ND | $150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL | BUFFALO, MN | $123,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| MINNESOTA CITIZENS CONCERNED FOR LIFE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $120,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHURCH OF SAINT JOSEPH | SAINT JOSEPH, MN | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER PARISH OF MANKATO MINNESOTA | MANKATO, MN | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCHESTER, MN | $55,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| PATRIOT ASSITANCE DOGS | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ERATH COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY INC | STEPHENVILLE, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL OUTREACH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $45,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES UPPER MIDWEST | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
$700,000GENERAL FUND
SACRED HEART SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND
$500,000GENERAL FUND
ST MONICAS MONTESSORI INC
GENERAL FUND
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER PARISH OF MANKATO MINNESOTA
$150,000GENERAL FUND
STPAUL'S CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER-NDSU CAMPUS FARGO
$150,000GENERAL FUND
PARK FOREVER INC
$100,000GENERAL FUND
CHURCH OF SAINT JOSEPH
$100,000GENERAL FUND
SALVATION ARMY
$50,000GENERAL FUND
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CENTRAL MINNESOTA COUNCIL
$28,750GENERAL FUND
DIOCESE OF ST CLOUD
$15,000GENERAL FUND
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$10,000GENERAL FUND
HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$10,000GENERAL FUND
DEMONTREVILLA JESUIT RETREAT
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL FUND
PROJECT FOR THE PEOPLE OF PARAGUAY
$2,384GENERAL FUND
ST JOSEPH BOOSTER CLUB
$1,000GENERAL FUND
CITY OF AVON
$500GENERAL FUND
SUGARBUSH TRAIL ASSOCIATION INC
$500GENERAL FUND
SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL ASSOCIATION
$500GENERAL FUND
NEVER SURRENDER INC
$500GENERAL FUND
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CENTRAL MINNESOTA COUNCIL
$496,100GENERAL FUND
ST MONICAS MONTESSORI INC
$164,880GENERAL FUND
STPAUL'S CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER-NDSU CAMPUS FARGO
$150,000GENERAL FUND
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL
$123,000GENERAL FUND
CHURCH OF SAINT JOSEPH
$100,000GENERAL FUND
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER PARISH OF MANKATO MINNESOTA
$100,000GENERAL FUND
SALVATION ARMY
$55,000GENERAL FUND
PATRIOT ASSITANCE DOGS
$50,000GENERAL FUND
ERATH COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY INC
$50,000GENERAL FUND