Sandcastle Foundation focuses on sustained general-support funding for community-facing nonprofits, primarily in the Twin Cities region with a notable presence in St. Louis. Their giving emphasizes homelessness and housing supports, youth development and workforce/education pathways, basic human services and family health, while also supporting environmental and animal-welfare organizations. Grants are typically mid-sized and unrestricted, and many organizations receive repeated multi-year or multi-grant support, indicating a preference for continuity over one-off awards.
Sandcastle Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by repeated general-support awards to the same organizations across multiple years, especially in housing, youth development, and community health. That pattern shows up in Saint Paul and Minneapolis through grants to Ujamaa Place, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, and University of St. Thomas, each receiving support in more than one year. The foundation also extends that continuity beyond Minnesota, with St. Patrick Center and Washington University in St. Louis appearing in the recent-grants list as multi-year recipients. Most of the awards are unrestricted general support, which gives recipient organizations flexibility to cover operating needs rather than a single program line. The scale is mid-sized: the recent list includes awards from $25,000 to $75,000, with several repeat grants at the $40,000 to $70,000 level. Alongside its core work in homelessness and transitional housing, Sandcastle Foundation also backs family health, education pathways, and selected environmental and animal-welfare organizations. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on organizational stability for community-facing nonprofits.
In housing and homelessness, Sandcastle Foundation has supported organizations such as Ujamaa Place, St Patrick Center, Simpson Housing Services Inc, People Serving People, and Aeon through general support grants. In youth development and workforce-readiness, the foundation gave recurring support to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Summit Academy Oic, YMCA, and University of St. Thomas, which also fits its education-related giving. The foundation’s community health work includes support for Crescent Cove and National Alliance for Research, both listed in recent grants as general-support recipients. It also funds environmental and animal-welfare organizations, including Missouri Botanical Gardens, Ocean Blue Project Inc, and Animal Protection Assoc of Missouri. Across these areas, the common thread is flexible funding rather than project-specific awards.
Sandcastle Foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also shows a larger tier of repeat general-support awards, including multiple gifts at $40,000, $50,000, $70,000, and $75,000. Several recipients appear across more than one year, which points to recurring support rather than one-time awards. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The available data also indicates a regional giving pattern with grants delivered through flexible, unrestricted support.
$940K
$11.2M
$1.6M
$1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated regional giving with repeated multi-grant support to core grantees; primarily mid-sized, unrestricted/general support awards across social services, education, health, and environment rather than project-restricted funding.
Notable grantees: Ujamaa Place, St. Patrick Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas
Sandcastle Foundation gives overwhelmingly in Minnesota, which accounts for 73% of grants, while its recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. The highest concentration appears in the Twin Cities, with Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center all represented in recent awards. St. Louis is another repeated destination, showing that the foundation’s regional reach extends beyond Minnesota. Other recipient locations in the recent list include Eden Prairie, Corvallis, and New York, but Minnesota remains the center of gravity for grant distribution.
Its recent grants favor community-facing nonprofits in housing and homelessness, youth development and workforce pathways, family health, and selected environmental and animal-welfare organizations. The foundation also gives general support to higher-education and local university partners.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include several larger general-support grants at $40,000, $50,000, $70,000, and $75,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear in the recent-grants list across multiple years, including Ujamaa Place, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, University of St. Thomas, St Patrick Center, Washington University, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Crescent Cove, and Ocean Blue Project Inc.
Minnesota is the main recipient state, accounting for 73% of grants. Recent awards cluster in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center, with additional grants in St. Louis and a smaller number in other U.S. locations.
The foundation’s recent awards are listed as general support grants, indicating flexible use funding. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| UJAMAA PLACE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $70,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILD WELLNESS INSTITUTE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CRESCENT COVE | BROOKLYN CENTER, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CONSTELLATION FUND | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $35,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AEON | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MINNESOTA NORTH | ST PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | EDEN PRAIRIE, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| VEAP INC | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SUMMIT ACADEMY OIC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| YMCA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER INC | ST LOUIS, MT | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| LEGAL RIGHTS CENTER INCORPORATED | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| TWIN CITIES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | SAINT PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| PEOPLE REACHING OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE | EDEN PRAIRIE, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ACHIEVE TWIN CITIES | EAGAN, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| SIMPSON HOUSING SERVICES INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MT | $15,000 | 2026 | HEIM WILD CARE PARK PLEDGE |
| OCEAN BLUE PROJECT INC | CORVALLIS, OR | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CAN DO CANINES | NEW HOPE, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RESEARCH ON SCHIZOPHRENIA AND DEPRESSION | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| WILD CANID SURVIVAL & RESEARCH | EUREKA, MT | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| WASHBURN CENTER FOR CHILDREN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES OF BATES | LEWISTON, ME | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD GREAT RIVERS | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| DOMESTIC ABUSE PROJECT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND CLINICS OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| QUEST SCHOLARS PROGRAM | PALO ALTO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE | MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| MINNESOTA ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| UJAMAA PLACE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| PROP PEOPLE REACHING OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE | EDEN PRAIRIE, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| ST PATRICK CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| CRESCENT COVE | BROOKLYN CENTER, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| SIMPSON HOUSING SERVICES INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT |
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILD WELLNESS INSTITUTE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
AEON
$30,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MINNESOTA NORTH
$30,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$30,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
VEAP INC
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
YMCA
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
FOREST PARK FOREVER INC
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
ACHIEVE TWIN CITIES
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
OCEAN BLUE PROJECT INC
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
WILD CANID SURVIVAL & RESEARCH
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES OF BATES
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD GREAT RIVERS
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND CLINICS OF MINNESOTA
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
QUEST SCHOLARS PROGRAM
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT GRANT