The Kitselman Foundation concentrates on a small number of large gifts to local, faith-affiliated educational institutions and regional cultural organizations. Most funding flows to Catholic or Benedictine education (K–12 and higher education) with a smaller, but significant, allocation to classical performing arts. Grants appear to support major institutional needs (capital, endowment, or program support) rather than many small projects.
Concentrated, few large grants rather than many small awards; primarily local/regional focus; repeat-style investments in education with occasional support for arts institutions.
A pair of $500,000 grants in 2025 set the tone for Kitselman Fdn Harry Janet-main 769905: one went to Saint John's University in Collegeville, and the other to Convent and Academy of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights. That pattern points to a funder that favors sizeable program support for faith-affiliated education rather than broad, small-dollar grantmaking. The same year, the foundation also backed Continental Ballet Company with $240,000 and the Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts with $150,000, showing that classical performing arts sit alongside Catholic and Benedictine education in its portfolio. Other 2025 awards extend the picture into a few nearby community-oriented organizations, but the core of the grantmaking remains institutional and concentrated. The grant list suggests a preference for organizations with established programs and ongoing operating or program needs, including schools, colleges, and regional arts groups. Across the recent record, the foundation’s support is local and Minnesota-based, with repeated funding to a small set of recipients across multiple years.
Catholic and Benedictine education is the clearest thread in the portfolio. In 2025, the foundation gave $500,000 to Saint John's University for program support and another $500,000 to Convent and Academy of the Visitation School for program support. Earlier grants reinforce that pattern: Saint John's University received $7,500 in 2023, and Visitation School received $25,000 in 2023. Classical performing arts is the other major area. The foundation awarded $240,000 to Continental Ballet Company in Bloomington for program support, and $150,000 to the Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts in Minneapolis for program support. It also supported smaller music groups, including The Oratorio Society and Minnesota Boy Choir. A third theme is support for community and service organizations. Recent examples include $50,000 to This Old Horse Inc for general support, $50,000 to Helping Paws of Minnesota Inc for program support, and $25,000 to The Food Group Minnesota Inc Aka Emergency Foodshelf Network Inc for program support.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-sized range, with a p25 of $3,000, a median of $12,500, and a p75 of $30,000. The recent file also shows repeated support for several recipients across 2023 and 2025, including Saint John's University, Convent and Academy of the Visitation School, Continental Ballet Company, Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts, and City of Lakes Chapter. The foundation funds individuals are not part of its model, and it does not make program-related investments. Grant descriptions lean toward program support, general support, and general operating support, with a small number of much larger institutional awards.
$129K
$0
$6K
$158K
Most grants fall between $3K and $30K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Notable grantees: Convent and Academy of the Visitation School, Saint John's University, Continental Ballet Company
Grantmaking is entirely in Minnesota, and the recipient map is concentrated in the Twin Cities and nearby communities. Minneapolis appears multiple times, along with Saint Paul, Plymouth, Hopkins, Bloomington, and Mendota Heights. Other recipient cities include Collegeville, Richfield, Chaska, Minnetonka, New Hope, Shakopee, Hastings, and St. Louis Park. The foundation’s recent record shows 100% of grants going to recipients in its headquarters state, MN.
The recent record centers on Catholic and Benedictine education, classical performing arts, and a smaller set of community organizations. Examples include Saint John's University, Convent and Academy of the Visitation School, Continental Ballet Company, Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts, and The Food Group Minnesota Inc Aka Emergency Foodshelf Network Inc.
The foundation’s typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $3,000, a median of $12,500, and a p75 of $30,000. The recent file also includes several larger awards, including two $500,000 grants in 2025.
No. The recipient country distribution is entirely US, and 100% of grants in the recent record went to recipients in MN. The foundation’s geographic scope of giving is local.
Yes. Saint John's University, Convent and Academy of the Visitation School, Continental Ballet Company, Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts, and City of Lakes Chapter each received grants in both 2023 and 2025.
The grant descriptions are mainly program support, with some general support and general operating support. The recent list also includes larger institutional awards that fit this pattern, such as the two $500,000 program-support grants in 2025.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEALING WITH HORESEPLAY | CORCORAN, MN | $25,867 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA LITERACY COUNCIL INC | ST PAUL, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA BOY CHOIR | SAINT PAUL, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HOME SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SHARING AND CARING HANDS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $12,933 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TWIN CITIES OPERA GUILD | ST PAUL, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF ASCENSION CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | Brooklyn Center, MN | $12,933 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY | COLLEGEVILLE, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONVENT AND ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION SCHOOL | MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONTINENTAL BALLET COMPANY | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $240,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LUNDSTRUM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FLIGHT UNLIMITED INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| City of Lakes Chapter | Taylors Falls, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HELPING PAWS OF MINNESOTA INC | HOPKINS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THIS OLD HORSE INC | HASTINGS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Warrior Dog Rescue | Shakopee, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LA VOCE BALLO | BEMIDJI, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERFAITH OUTREACH COMMUNITY PARTNERS | PLYMOUTH, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLYMOUTH ROCKERS PERFORMING SENIOR CHORUS | PLYMOUTH, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINNEAPOLIS CHAPTER SPEBSQA C/O JOHN CARLOTTO | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TWIN CITIES SHOW CHORUS | APPLE VALLEY, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE JOURNEYMEN CHORUS | CHASKA, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERCONGREGATION COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATION INC | MINNETONKA, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAKE COUNTRY CHORUS | PLYMOUTH, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MIXED COMPANY SINGERS INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE FOOD GROUP MINNESOTA INC AKA EMERGENCY FOODSHELF NETWORK INC | NEW HOPE, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE ORATORIO SOCIETY | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREAT NORTHERN UNION CHORUS | RICHFIELD, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SOJOURNER PROJECT INC | HOPKINS, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONVENT AND ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION SCHOOL | MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN | $25,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF ASCENSION CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONTINENTAL BALLET COMPANY | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $8,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY | COLLEGEVILLE, MN | $7,500 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| City of Lakes Chapter | Taylors Falls, MN | $6,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LUNDSTRUM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $6,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA BOY CHOIR | SAINT PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| Minnesota Orchestra | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA LITERACY COUNCIL INC | ST PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FLIGHT UNLIMITED INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,500 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TWIN CITIES SHOW CHORUS | APPLE VALLEY, MN | $3,500 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VOYAGEUR EXPEDITIONARY SCHOOL | BEMIDJI, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERFAITH OUTREACH COMMUNITY PARTNERS | PLYMOUTH, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Show Choirs of Bemidji Inc La Voce Ballo | Bemidji, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HELPING PAWS OF MINNESOTA INC | HOPKINS, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MINNEAPOLIS CHAPTER SPEBSQA C/O JOHN CARLOTTO | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREAT NORTHERN UNION CHORUS | RICHFIELD, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE FOOD GROUP MINNESOTA INC AKA EMERGENCY FOODSHELF NETWORK INC | NEW HOPE, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| Minnesota Public Radio | St Paul, MN | $2,500 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
HEALING WITH HORESEPLAY
$25,867PROGRAM SUPPORT
MINNESOTA BOY CHOIR
$12,933PROGRAM SUPPORT
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
GENERAL SUPPORT
TWIN CITIES OPERA GUILD
$12,933GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF ASCENSION CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL
$12,933PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
$500,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONVENT AND ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION SCHOOL
$500,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONTINENTAL BALLET COMPANY
$240,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FLIGHT UNLIMITED INC
$60,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
City of Lakes Chapter
$60,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HELPING PAWS OF MINNESOTA INC
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
Warrior Dog Rescue
$40,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LA VOCE BALLO
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLYMOUTH ROCKERS PERFORMING SENIOR CHORUS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MINNEAPOLIS CHAPTER SPEBSQA C/O JOHN CARLOTTO
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TWIN CITIES SHOW CHORUS
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE JOURNEYMEN CHORUS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LAKE COUNTRY CHORUS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MIXED COMPANY SINGERS INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE ORATORIO SOCIETY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREAT NORTHERN UNION CHORUS
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONVENT AND ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION SCHOOL
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF ASCENSION CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONTINENTAL BALLET COMPANY
$8,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
City of Lakes Chapter
$6,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MINNESOTA BOY CHOIR
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
Minnesota Orchestra
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MINNESOTA LITERACY COUNCIL INC
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FLIGHT UNLIMITED INC
$3,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
TWIN CITIES SHOW CHORUS
$3,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
VOYAGEUR EXPEDITIONARY SCHOOL
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
Show Choirs of Bemidji Inc La Voce Ballo
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HELPING PAWS OF MINNESOTA INC
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MINNEAPOLIS CHAPTER SPEBSQA C/O JOHN CARLOTTO
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GREAT NORTHERN UNION CHORUS
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROGRAM SUPPORT