The Gale Family Foundation makes relatively few but large, unrestricted grants primarily to community foundations and place-based philanthropic intermediaries, along with targeted support for arts infrastructure and higher education. Their giving is often general operating in nature and flows through established community foundations or donor-advised vehicles, suggesting a strategy of using intermediaries to deploy philanthropic capital across regions. Grants show both repetition to the same foundations and selective one-off gifts to mission-focused nonprofits.
Concentrated, high-dollar unrestricted grants (few grants, large amounts) with repeat funding to key community foundations and occasional direct gifts to mission organizations; uses intermediaries/DAFs as primary vehicles.
Among the Gale Family Foundation C/o Gordon Heinson’s recent grants, Santa Fe organizations stand out as a repeated destination, with multiple unrestricted awards in 2024 and 2025 to the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Santa Fe Preparatory School, Santa Fe International Literary Festival, the Lensic Performing Arts Center, the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and Growing Up New Mexico. That pattern sits alongside sizable support for community foundations in Milwaukee and Minneapolis, showing a preference for place-based intermediaries and local institutions rather than tightly defined program grants. The foundation also backs arts and higher education institutions through general unrestricted funding. Fractured Atlas received repeated support in New York City, and Occidental College received awards in both 2023 and 2025. Minnesota recipients appear as well, including The Grief Club of Minnesota, Minnesota State Fair Foundation, TPT, and Minnesota Public Radio. Across the recent grant list, the common thread is flexible support given to established organizations, often through community foundations, arts infrastructure, or mission-driven nonprofits with local reach.
The foundation’s strongest theme is community philanthropy channeled through intermediaries. It gave $273,333 to the Minneapolis Foundation--sgy Daf in 2024 and $175,000 in 2023, and also made $275,000 and $163,000 unrestricted grants to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2023 and 2024. In Santa Fe, the pattern extends across civic, cultural, and education-related institutions. Grants include $150,000 to Santa Fe Community Foundation in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024, plus $145,000 to Santa Fe Prepartory School in 2025 and $125,000 to Santa Fe International Literary Festival in 2025. Arts support is another visible line of giving. Fractured Atlas received $225,000 in 2024 and $125,000 in 2025, while Lensic Performing Arts Center received $115,000 in 2025 and $76,000 in 2024.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. In the recent grants list, the foundation makes a mix of repeat awards and one-off gifts: Minneapolis Foundation--sgy Daf, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, Fractured Atlas, Lensic Performing Arts Center, Land Light Foundation, Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and Occidental College each appear more than once. The funder is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants are listed as general unrestricted support.
$1.7M
$17.5M
$591K
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 13% of grants go to recipients in NM.
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Notable grantees: Minneapolis Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Fractured Atlas, Occidental College, Santa Fe Community Foundation
Grantmaking is national, and every grant in the provided recipient-country data goes to the US. By count, New Mexico receives the most grants, with Santa Fe appearing repeatedly in the recent list and 13% of grants going to recipients in Minnesota, the headquarters state. Other frequently appearing recipient cities include Minneapolis, Milwaukee, New York City, New York, St. Paul, and Los Angeles. The geographic pattern points to concentrated support for local institutions in a few metro areas rather than broad one-time dispersion.
The recent grants show a strong preference for community foundations and place-based philanthropic intermediaries, including the Minneapolis Foundation--sgy Daf, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and Santa Fe Community Foundation. The foundation also supports arts institutions and higher education, with grants to Fractured Atlas and Occidental College.
The grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range from smaller $50,000 grants to six-figure gifts such as $275,000 to Greater Milwaukee Foundation and $273,333 to Minneapolis Foundation--sgy Daf.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Minneapolis Foundation--sgy Daf, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, Fractured Atlas, Lensic Performing Arts Center, Land Light Foundation, Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and Occidental College.
By count, New Mexico is the top giving state. Santa Fe appears repeatedly among recent recipients, and 13% of grants go to recipients in Minnesota, the foundation’s headquarters state.
The listed grants are generally unrestricted. Recent examples across community foundations, arts organizations, schools, and public-interest nonprofits are all labeled general unrestricted, indicating flexible operating support rather than tightly designated project funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAY CENTER FOR LEARNING | SANTA FE, NM | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL | SANTA FE, NM | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SANTA FE, NM | $117,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SITE SANTA FE | SANTA FE, NM | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE | LAS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| LAND LIGHT FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE PREPARATORY SCHOOL | SANTA FE, NM | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| RADIUS BOOKS | SANTA FE, NM | $55,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| BLAKE SCHOOL | HOPKINS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS (IAIA) | SANTA FE, NM | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| THE GEORGIA O'KEEFFE MUSEUM | SANTA FE, NM | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| PROJECT PERFECT WORLD | KAYSVILLE, UT | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| NDI NEW MEXICO | SANTA FE, NM | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| AFGHAN SCOUT RELIEF FUND | RANCHOS DE TAOS, NM | $27,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| MUSEUM OF NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $25,600 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| GROWING UP NEW MEXICO | SANTA FE, NM | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| BARRY LOPEZ FOUNDATION FOR ART AND ENVIRONMENT | SANTA FE, NM | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| WRIGHT-INGRAHAM INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ROCKY MOUNTAINS | DENVER, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - NEW MEXICO | SANTA FE, NM | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| CANCER FOUNDATION OF NEW MEXICO | SANTA FE, NM | $18,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| THINK NEW MEXICO | SANTA FE, NM | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| DIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| NATIONAL GHOST RANCH FOUNDATION | ABIQUIU, NM | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| GLOBAL SANTA FE | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| FRIENDSHIP CLUB | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| OWAMNIYOMNI OKHODAYAPI | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL | FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| KANW PUBLIC RADIO (ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION) | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| THE FOOD DEPOT | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| WHEELWRIGHT MUSEUM | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| NEW MEXICO SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS - ART INSTITUTE | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| ST ELIZABETH'S SHELTER | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | SANTA FE, NM | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| GIRLS INC OF SANTA FE | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| WITTER BYNNER FOUNDATION FOR POETRY | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| THE AMERICAN GENERAL MEDIA | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | SANTA FE, NM | $3,600 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART MARKET | SANTA FE, NM | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SHIVA IRONS SOCIETY | SAND CITY, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE | LAS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE PREPARTORY SCHOOL | SANTA FE, NM | $145,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| SANTA FE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL | SANTA FE, NM | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| FRACTURED ATLAS | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
| LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SANTA FE, NM | $115,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED |
MAY CENTER FOR LEARNING
$250,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
SANTA FE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL
$125,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$117,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
LAND LIGHT FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
RADIUS BOOKS
$55,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
BLAKE SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS (IAIA)
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
PROJECT PERFECT WORLD
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
NDI NEW MEXICO
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
AFGHAN SCOUT RELIEF FUND
$27,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
BARRY LOPEZ FOUNDATION FOR ART AND ENVIRONMENT
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
WRIGHT-INGRAHAM INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
FRIENDSHIP CLUB
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
OWAMNIYOMNI OKHODAYAPI
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
KANW PUBLIC RADIO (ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION)
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
WHEELWRIGHT MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
ST ELIZABETH'S SHELTER
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
GIRLS INC OF SANTA FE
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
WITTER BYNNER FOUNDATION FOR POETRY
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
THE AMERICAN GENERAL MEDIA
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART MARKET
$2,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
SHIVA IRONS SOCIETY
$2,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
SANTA FE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL
$125,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED
LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$115,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED