The Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation makes modest, targeted gifts largely in the Twin Cities area that blend support for faith-based youth ministries, local civic amenities, and arts and education. Their giving is split between churches/Christian youth organizations and community institutions (parks, orchestra), with occasional gifts to higher-education institutions. Grants appear aimed at program and community-support rather than large capital campaigns.
Small-to-midsize grants concentrated regionally in Minnesota with several multi-year or repeat gifts (e.g., Edina Young Life). Funding is diversified across faith-based organizations, civic/public amenities, and arts/education rather than concentrated on a single issue; typical grant sizes range from a few thousand to ~22k.
$80K
$1M
$19K
$83K
Most grants fall between $2K and $4K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$4K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in MN.
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Notable grantees: MPLS Park & Rec, Minnesota Orchestra, Edina Young Life, Central Lutheran Church, University of Minnesota Foundation
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPLS PARK & REC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $22,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MN ORCHESTRA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $17,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EDINA YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VERDES CHURCH | RIO VERDE, AZ | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEGASUS | BOZEMAN, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY | MALIBU, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EDINA YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| U OF MN FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,005 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL | WOODBURY, MN | $135 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
MPLS PARK & REC
$22,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MN ORCHESTRA
$17,500GENERAL SUPPORT
EDINA YOUNG LIFE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VERDES CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PEGASUS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
GENERAL SUPPORT
EDINA YOUNG LIFE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
U OF MN FOUNDATION
$3,005GENERAL SUPPORT
SHRINERS HOSPITAL
$135GENERAL SUPPORT