The Kopp Family Foundation makes a small number of relatively large, targeted grants that span local community needs and a notable commitment to women and girls. Their funding mixes regional investments — especially in higher education and food security in the Twin Cities area — with sizeable support for an international girls' empowerment organization. They tend to concentrate dollars into a few organizations rather than many small awards, and have made repeat gifts to at least one core partner.
A $300,000 grant to Normandale Community College Foundation sits at the top of Kopp Family Foundation’s recent giving and points to a pattern of concentrated support for Minnesota institutions. The foundation’s largest awards are paired with repeat gifts to the same partners, including Second Harvest Heartland and Sisters Rising Worldwide, which suggests a small set of core relationships rather than broad, scattered grantmaking. Its work reaches across education, hunger relief, housing, and women’s and girls’ issues, with a clear emphasis on organizations serving Minnesota. The foundation also uses its grants to support both local and international work. In the recent grants list, it funded Sisters Rising Worldwide in two consecutive years, alongside Minnesota-based higher education and human services organizations. Awards such as $250,000 to Sisters Rising Worldwide and $200,000 to Project for Pride in Living show that the foundation is comfortable making substantial commitments to a limited number of nonprofits. The recent record also includes support for community college foundations, public schools, housing organizations, and food security groups, giving a picture of a funder that prioritizes targeted, mission-aligned relationships over many small awards.
Education is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s recent grantmaking. It gave $300,000 to Normandale Community College Foundation and $70,000 to Century College Foundation, while also supporting Metropolitan State University Foundation with $60,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025. Food security and hunger relief are another visible area. Second Harvest Heartland received $250,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2025, and Veap received $100,000 in 2024. Housing appears as a third focus. The foundation awarded $200,000 to Agate Housing & Services in 2024 and another $100,000 in 2025, as well as $200,000 to Commonbond Communities in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025. Women and girls are part of the portfolio as well. Sisters Rising Worldwide received $250,000 in both 2024 and 2025.
Kopp Family Foundation’s recent awards cluster around larger, targeted gifts. The provided grant-size distribution shows a p25 of $1,500, a median of $2,500, and a p75 of $7,000, but the recent grants list includes several six-figure awards, indicating a concentrated pattern at the top end of the portfolio. Repeat grants are common: Second Harvest Heartland, Sisters Rising Worldwide, Commonbond Communities, Agate Housing and Services, and Normandale Community College Foundation each appear across multiple years. The foundation funds general operating, program, and capital campaign support, and it accepts unsolicited applications.
$3.1M
$57.9M
-$3.3M
$4.3M
Most grants fall between $2K and $7K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$7K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated giving: four large grants totaling $1.05M, with repeat funding to a core international partner and two major regional investments. Mix of local (Minnesota) operational/program support and a significant single international-focused commitment.
Notable grantees: Sisters Rising Worldwide, Normandale Community College Foundation, Second Harvest Heartland
The foundation gives locally and overwhelmingly within Minnesota. The recipient-country distribution shows all grants in the US, and 100% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient locations include VARIOUS, MN rather than a wide spread of states or countries. Named Minnesota recipients include Minneapolis, St. Paul-area organizations such as Second Harvest Heartland, Normandale Community College Foundation, and Minneapolis Community and Technical College Foundation. The recent record does not show any non-US recipient country.
Its grantmaking priorities include education, health and human services, affordable housing, youth development, women’s issues, and quality of life for the elderly, with a stated priority for organizations serving Minnesota. Recent grants show support for community colleges, food banks, housing providers, and girls’ empowerment work.
The typical grant-size distribution is p25 $1,500, median $2,500, and p75 $7,000. The recent grants list also includes several much larger awards, including $300,000 to a community college foundation and multiple $200,000 and $250,000 grants.
Yes. The active grant program descriptions say it accepts unsolicited requests, and one program notes that new organizations should submit a letter of inquiry first. The foundation also supports general operating, program, and capital campaign grants.
Its giving is local, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Minnesota. The recipient-country distribution shows all grants in the US, and the recent grants list shows Minnesota organizations across education, housing, health and human services, and hunger relief.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Sisters Rising Worldwide, Second Harvest Heartland, Commonbond Communities, Agate Housing and Services, and Normandale Community College Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships with a small group of partners.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SISTERS RISING WORLDWIDE | VARIOUS, MN | $250,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | VARIOUS, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LINDSEY & BRIAN LANG DAF | VARIOUS, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KRISTIN KOPP SMITH DAF | VARIOUS, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES | VARIOUS, MN | $150,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| VOLUNTEERS ENLISTED TO ASSIST PEOPLE | VARIOUS, MN | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NC LITTLE MEMORIAL HOSPICE INC | VARIOUS, MN | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | VARIOUS, MN | $83,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $80,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTURY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $70,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CANA FAMILY INSTITUTE | VARIOUS, MN | $60,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ANOKA RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| VOLUNTEERS ENLISTED TO ASSIST PEOPLE | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF THE ST CROIX VALLEY | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| INVER HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTH HENNEPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $46,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ANOKA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| U OF M - CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT | VARIOUS, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| INVER HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| AVE MARIA ACADEMY | VARIOUS, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTH HENNEPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $34,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DAKOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING | VARIOUS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE | VARIOUS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DAKOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| TRANSFORM A LIFE TODAY | VARIOUS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRANKLIN CENTER | VARIOUS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BENEDICTINE COLLEGE | VARIOUS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| AVE MARIA COMMUNITY CORPORATION | VARIOUS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF SAINT PAUL COLLEGE | VARIOUS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF SAINT PAUL COLLEGE | VARIOUS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTURY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| EMERGE | VARIOUS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | VARIOUS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| RISEN CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL | VARIOUS, MN | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| RISEN CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL | VARIOUS, MN | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CROSS | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE LIFT GARAGE | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ST CLOUD TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| U OF M - CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ST CLOUD TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE COLLEGE OF ST SCHOLASTICA | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ANOKA RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - CAMBRIDGE | VARIOUS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
SISTERS RISING WORLDWIDE
$250,000CHARITABLE
SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND
$200,000CHARITABLE
LINDSEY & BRIAN LANG DAF
$200,000CHARITABLE
KRISTIN KOPP SMITH DAF
$200,000CHARITABLE
COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES
$150,000CHARITABLE
VOLUNTEERS ENLISTED TO ASSIST PEOPLE
$100,000CHARITABLE
CHARITABLE
MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
$83,000CHARITABLE
CANA FAMILY INSTITUTE
$60,000CHARITABLE
METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$50,000CHARITABLE
ANOKA RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE
VOLUNTEERS ENLISTED TO ASSIST PEOPLE
$50,000CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
$50,000CHARITABLE
CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF THE ST CROIX VALLEY
$50,000CHARITABLE
MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE
INVER HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$50,000CHARITABLE
NORTH HENNEPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$46,000CHARITABLE
U OF M - CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
$40,000CHARITABLE
INVER HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$40,000CHARITABLE
AVE MARIA ACADEMY
$40,000CHARITABLE
NORTH HENNEPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$34,000CHARITABLE
PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING
$30,000CHARITABLE
MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$30,000CHARITABLE
TRANSFORM A LIFE TODAY
$25,000CHARITABLE
FRANKLIN CENTER
$25,000CHARITABLE
BENEDICTINE COLLEGE
$25,000CHARITABLE
AVE MARIA COMMUNITY CORPORATION
$25,000CHARITABLE
FRIENDS OF SAINT PAUL COLLEGE
$20,000CHARITABLE
CENTURY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$20,000CHARITABLE
EMERGE
$15,000CHARITABLE
DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
$15,000CHARITABLE
RISEN CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$12,000CHARITABLE
RISEN CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$12,000CHARITABLE
CROSS
$10,000CHARITABLE
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
ST CLOUD TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
U OF M - CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
$10,000CHARITABLE
ST CLOUD TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
THE COLLEGE OF ST SCHOLASTICA
$10,000CHARITABLE
ANOKA RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - CAMBRIDGE
$10,000CHARITABLE