About Minnesota Chamber Foundation
The Minnesota Chamber Foundation is the economic research and innovation arm of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, conducting original research and delivering practical workforce and business solutions to inform policy and strengthen Minnesota's economy.
Focus Areas
economic researchworkforce developmentworkforce inclusionbusiness educationleadership developmentpolicy-relevant research
Funding Style
programmatic grantsproject-specific fundingenvironmental program support
Topics
energy programswaste programswaste management and recycling
About Minnesota Chamber Foundation
The Minnesota Chamber Foundation’s recent grantmaking is built around energy and waste programs, with the largest award on file at $51,913 to Highland Collision Center in St. Paul. That pattern points to project-specific support for Minnesota businesses and community organizations that are making operational changes tied to energy use and waste management. The foundation’s work aligns with its role as the economic research and innovation arm of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, pairing research with practical workforce and business solutions. Several of the larger awards show how the foundation funds in practice. O'leary Auto Body Inc received $50,000 in Willernie, and Elite Cleaners received $43,000 in Minneapolis, both for energy and waste programs. Other grants in the same category went to recipients such as Premier Lighting in St. Paul and Minneapolis Propco LLC in Minneapolis. The mix of business, property, and community-based recipients suggests a funder that supports applied projects rather than broad unrestricted giving. Its latest 990 year on file is 2025, with annual grants of $679,528 and total assets of $879,691.
What Minnesota Chamber Foundation Funds
Energy and waste programs are the clear center of the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it awarded $50,000 to O'leary Auto Body Inc for energy and waste programs, and in 2024 it gave $43,000 to Elite Cleaners for the same purpose. The theme continued in 2025 with $51,913 to Highland Collision Center. The foundation also supports a range of business and commercial recipients through the same program area. Minneapolis Propco LLC received $34,000, while The C Chase Company in St. Louis Park received $23,196. Smaller awards to organizations such as United Noodles and Studio Eight show that the funding reaches across different types of local enterprises. Taken together, the grants point to applied project support within Minnesota’s business community, especially where energy use and waste reduction are part of the work.
How Minnesota Chamber Foundation Gives
Typical awards cluster in the low five-figure range: the 25th percentile is $8,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $14,469. The recent grant list shows both larger project grants and a steady band of $10,000 awards, which suggests a structured, program-specific model rather than highly variable deal sizes. The foundation’s recent recipients appear across multiple years, including 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating repeat activity over time. It operates as a foundation tied to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and does not fund individuals.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$152K
Total Assets
$880K
Total Revenue
$1.4M
Total Expenses
$1.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $8K and $14K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$14K
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
JENNIFER BYERS
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