Kahr Foundation-IMA concentrates its giving on large, place-based projects in Minnesota with an emphasis on experiential education, faith-based schooling and recovery programs, and cultural/heritage institutions. Grants tend to fund capital projects, program expansions, and digital preservation efforts (e.g., treetop trail, athletic and workshop facilities, archival digitization), and the foundation repeatedly supports a small set of core grantees alongside a few national cultural gifts.
Kahr Foundation-ima’s largest recent gift went to the Minnesota Zoo: $1,624,120 in 2025 for general support, after another $1,119,398 in 2024 tied to the Treetop Trail and general support. That pattern captures how the foundation funds large, place-based projects in Minnesota, especially work that combines public programming with capital investment. Its recent grants also show repeated support for Christian education, with Hope Academy, Southwest Christian High School, and Crown College all appearing in the top grants list. The foundation has backed faith-based recovery services as well, including Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge and The Salvation Army Minnesota. Beyond Minnesota, it has made sizable cultural gifts to institutions such as Heritage Museums & Gardens in Massachusetts and The National WWII Museum in Louisiana, often for general support or archival and infrastructure work. The giving profile points to a funder that supports institutions with major operating needs, facility upgrades, and long-term program building rather than small, one-off awards. Several recipients appear more than once across the recent grants, suggesting an ongoing relationship with a core set of organizations.
In experiential and conservation-related work, Kahr Foundation-ima supported the Minnesota Zoo with $1,119,398 in 2024 for the Treetop Trail and general support, building on a larger 2025 general-support grant. In Christian K–12 education and vocational learning, it gave $1,007,655 to Southwest Christian High School for athletic facilities expansion and $925,000 to Hope Academy for the New Pathway and Innovation Center, including HopeMed, HopeTech, and a new home construction workshop. Faith-based recovery and social services also appear consistently: Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge received $610,116 in 2024 for affordable housing, a vo-tech fund, and general support, while The Salvation Army Minnesota received $1,510,145 in 2023 for general support. On the cultural side, the foundation backed The National WWII Museum with $1,000,000 for digital infrastructure transformation and the Center for Archival Research and Digitization.
Typical grants are mid-sized to large, with a p25 of $15,000, a median of $41,296, and a p75 of $152,266. The recent list, however, also includes several seven-figure awards, showing a split between smaller awards and major project or operating gifts. Recipients recur across years: Minnesota Zoo, Hope Academy, Southwest Christian High School, Pulse, Crown College, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, and Family Leader Foundation all appear more than once. The foundation’s grantmaking is primarily in the form of general support, but it also funds capital, equipment, and program-specific work. It funds individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$12.7M
$40.4M
$3.3M
$13.2M
Most grants fall between $15K and $152K, with a median of $41K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$41K
75th Percentile
$152K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat grantees and major capital or infrastructure projects; primarily Minnesota-focused but willing to fund select national cultural initiatives.
Notable grantees: Minnesota Zoo, Hope Academy, Southwest Christian High School, The National WWII Museum, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge
Kahr Foundation-ima’s giving is concentrated in Minnesota, which accounts for 80% of grants in the recent data. Minneapolis appears repeatedly, including grants to Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, Pulse, Hope Academy, Haiti Teen Challenge, and Fraser. Apple Valley, Chaska, St Bonifacius, Roseville, Golden Valley, St Paul, Eagan, Hutchinson, and Luverne also appear among Minnesota recipients. Outside the state, recent grants went to Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, Massachusetts; The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana; and Family Leader Foundation in Urbandale, Iowa.
The recent grants point to several recurring areas: experiential education and outdoor attractions, Christian K–12 education, faith-based recovery services, museums and heritage institutions, youth outreach, and digital preservation work. The foundation also supports capital projects, facility expansion, and general operating needs for institutional grantees.
The distribution is skewed by a few very large awards. Typical grant sizes are $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $41,296 at the median, and $152,266 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes multiple grants above $1 million.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Minnesota Zoo, Hope Academy, Southwest Christian High School, Pulse, Crown College, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, and Family Leader Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
Its grantmaking is primarily local and heavily concentrated in Minnesota, which receives 80% of grants in the recent data. Minneapolis is a frequent recipient city, and other Minnesota recipients include Apple Valley, Chaska, St Bonifacius, Roseville, Golden Valley, St Paul, Eagan, Hutchinson, and Luverne.
The recent grants include general support, capital and equipment funding, digital infrastructure transformation, archival digitization, athletic facilities expansion, affordable housing, and vocational or innovation-center development. Examples include the Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo, the Center for Archival Research and Digitization at The National WWII Museum, and the New Pathway and Innovation Center at Hope Academy.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINNESOTA ZOO | APPLE VALLEY, MN | $1,624,120 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HERITAGE MUSEUMS & GARDENS | SANDWICH, MA | $1,275,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,232,264 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PULSE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,005,404 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | CHASKA, MN | $994,323 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $951,726 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | EAGAN, MN | $502,877 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CROWN COLLEGE | ST BONIFACIUS, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAMILY LEADER FOUNDATION | URBANDALE, IA | $494,169 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA FAMILY COUNCIL & INSTITUTE | ST PAUL, MN | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION | HUTCHINSON, MN | $366,996 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRASER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $346,438 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH FRONTIERS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $250,404 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HELPING PAWS OF MINNESOTA INC | HOPKINS, MN | $205,575 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAITI TEEN CHALLENGE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $205,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRAGER UNIVERSITY | SHERMAN OAKS, CA | $201,328 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TAKE CHARGE MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $201,328 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,863 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORWAY HOUSE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BOND BETWEEN (FORMERLY SECONDHAND HOUNDS) | MINNETONKA, MN | $103,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CORE FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $100,918 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BESTPREP MN BUSINESS VENTURE & TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BANYAN COMMUNITY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST CATHERINE UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $97,812 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TREEHOUSE YOUTH OUTREACH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TURNING POINT USA | CROWN POINT, IN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAN DO CANINES | NEW HOPE, MN | $56,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NPH USA | CHICAGO, IL | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAJESTIC HILLS RANCH | LAKEVILLE, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REAGAN LEGACY FOUNDATION | ENCINO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE CHEST FOR BREAST CANCER | ORONO, MN | $46,632 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACCESSABILITY INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA HISTORY THEATRE | ST PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOVEFWD | HOPKINS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS RIVER VALLEY | ST PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED HEALTH CARE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| 985 KTIS RADIO | ST PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA ARBORETUM | CHASKA, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RAICES SAGRADAS COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION SAINT PAUL | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST DAVID'S CENTER | MINNETONKA, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE HARBOR | MARSHALL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARINGBRIDGE | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ARC MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIVING WELL DISABILITY SERVICES | MENDOTA HTS, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH | STEWARTVILLE, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LUVERNE INITIATIVES FOR TOMORROW (LIFT) | LUVERNE, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
MINNESOTA ZOO
$1,624,120GENERAL SUPPORT
MINNESOTA ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE
$1,232,264GENERAL SUPPORT
PULSE
$1,005,404GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$502,877GENERAL SUPPORT
MINNESOTA FAMILY COUNCIL & INSTITUTE
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HELPING PAWS OF MINNESOTA INC
$205,575GENERAL SUPPORT
NORWAY HOUSE
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BOND BETWEEN (FORMERLY SECONDHAND HOUNDS)
$103,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CORE FOUNDATION
$100,918GENERAL SUPPORT
BESTPREP MN BUSINESS VENTURE & TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BANYAN COMMUNITY
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST CATHERINE UNIVERSITY
$97,812GENERAL SUPPORT
MAJESTIC HILLS RANCH
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REAGAN LEGACY FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE CHEST FOR BREAST CANCER
$46,632GENERAL SUPPORT
ACCESSABILITY INC
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MINNESOTA HISTORY THEATRE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOVEFWD
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRL SCOUTS RIVER VALLEY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED HEALTH CARE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
985 KTIS RADIO
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MINNESOTA ARBORETUM
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNION GOSPEL MISSION SAINT PAUL
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST DAVID'S CENTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE HARBOR
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LUVERNE INITIATIVES FOR TOMORROW (LIFT)
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT