The Douglass Brandenborg Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy in large, targeted gifts rather than many small grants. Recent giving shows a clear emphasis on Minnesota K–12 education advocacy and school improvement (notably Great MN Schools) and frequent use of donor-advised/fiscal channels to move assets. The foundation tends to make repeat, substantial transfers (including stock gifts) to a small set of recipients.
The Douglass Brandenborg Family Fdn’s recent giving is marked by large, repeated support for Minnesota education and community organizations, with Great MN Schools receiving $275,000 in 2025 after prior gifts of $200,000 in both 2024 and 2023. That pattern sits alongside substantial funding for early childhood and family-support groups in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including Way to Grow, Jeremiah Program, Commonbond Communities, Beacon Interfaith Housing, and Project for Pride in Living. The foundation also uses donor-advised and fiscal vehicles in a meaningful way, including a $1,300,000 general distribution to Schwab Charitable Fund in 2023 and a $205,668 stock transfer in 2025. Its grants are typically substantial rather than small, and the recent record shows a small circle of recurring recipients rather than a broad, one-off portfolio. Education runs through the portfolio in several forms: K–12 advocacy, school improvement, STEM-related programming, and scholarships. Community-based housing and family-support work also appears frequently, but the giving remains tightly centered on Minnesota organizations and Minnesota residents.
Minnesota K–12 education is the clearest thread in the portfolio. Great MN Schools received $275,000 in 2025 for general operating support, following $200,000 grants in both 2024 and 2023. The foundation also backed Teach for America-twin Cities with $100,000 in 2025 and another $100,000 in 2024, both for general operating support. Higher education appears through Dougherty Family College, which received $100,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025 for full scholarships for ten scholars. Early childhood and family services are another recurring area: Way to Grow received $140,000 in 2025 as a matching grant and $125,000 in 2024 for general operating support and expansion support for Great by 8. Jeremiah Program also received support in 2025, including $130,000 for general operating support and STEM day support.
Typical grant size is substantial, at $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $60,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The pattern is repeat giving to a compact set of Minnesota recipients rather than isolated gifts; several organizations appear in multiple years. The foundation’s recent record also includes large transfers through Schwab Charitable Fund, pointing to use of donor-advised or similar charitable fund vehicles. Grants are overwhelmingly local in reach, and the portfolio includes operating support, matching support, scholarship funding, and stock or general distributions.
$2.1M
$53.4M
$2.5M
$2.4M
Most grants fall between $50K and $100K, with a median of $60K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$60K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Highly concentrated: few (6) grants totaling $2.53M, dominated by three repeat grants each to two recipients. Prefers large-dollar gifts and stock transfers, often routed through donor-advised or charitable funds; recurring support to the same organizations rather than broad, distributed giving.
Notable grantees: SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND, GREAT MN SCHOOLS, Minnesota education advocacy organizations (repeat local grantees)
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Minnesota, with 91% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and Minnesota listed as the top state by grant count. Minneapolis appears most often, with awards to Great MN Schools, Way to Grow, Jeremiah Program, Project for Pride in Living, Teach for America-twin Cities, Dougherty Family College, Aeon, and Simpson Housing Services. St. Paul is another regular destination, including Beacon Interfaith Housing and Commonbond Communities. Outside Minnesota, the recent grant list includes a $90,000 grant to Educators for Excellence in New York City. All recent grants in the dataset go to U.S. recipients.
The recent record centers on Minnesota education and family-support organizations. Great MN Schools, Way to Grow, Jeremiah Program, Teach for America-twin Cities, and Dougherty Family College all appear, alongside housing and community groups such as Commonbond Communities, Beacon Interfaith Housing, Project for Pride in Living, and Aeon.
Yes. Dougherty Family College received $100,000 in 2024 and another $100,000 in 2025 for full scholarships for ten scholars. That makes scholarship support a clear part of the foundation’s education giving.
The distribution is relatively high: $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $60,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include much larger transfers, such as $1,300,000 to Schwab Charitable Fund and $275,000 to Great MN Schools.
Minnesota is the main geography, with 91% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and Minnesota listed as the top state by grant count. Minneapolis and St. Paul are the most common recipient cities in the recent grants list.
Yes. Great MN Schools received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Way to Grow, Jeremiah Program, Commonbond Communities, Beacon Interfaith Housing, Project for Pride in Living, Aeon, Teach for America-twin Cities, and Dougherty Family College also appear more than once.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREAT MN SCHOOLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $275,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $205,668 | 2025 | GENERAL DISTRIBUTIONTRANSFER OF 900 SHARES OF APPLE (FMV: $205,668; COST BASIS: $2,610) |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, MATCHING GRANT |
| JEREMIAH PROGRAM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $130,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, STEM DAY SUPPORT |
| BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING | ST PAUL, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SIMPSON HOUSING SERVICES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DOUGHERTY FAMILY COLLEGE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEN SCHOLARS |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA-TWIN CITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AEON | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST DAVID'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SERVICES | MINNETONKA, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WASHBURN CENTER FOR CHILDREN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WILDFLOWER FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF MN SCHOOLS |
| URBAN HOMEWORKS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER MINNESOTA HOUSING FUND (GMHF) | ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BLACK MEN TEACH | HOPKINS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BANYAN COMMUNITY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BREAKTHROUGH TWIN CITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR FOURTH GENERATION |
| THE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHADTOUGH DEFEAT DIPG FOUNDATION | SALINE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HATS & MITTENS | MINNETONKA, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE OF HATS & MITTENS |
| SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $350,000 | 2024 | GENERAL DISTRIBUTION |
| GREAT MN SCHOOLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT & EXPANSION SUPPORT FOR GREAT BY 8 PROGRAM |
| BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING | ST PAUL, MN | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEREMIAH PROGRAM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AEON | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $120,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DOUGHERTY FAMILY COLLEGE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2024 | FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEN SCHOLARS |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA-TWIN CITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EDUCATORS FOR EXCELLENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $65,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| URBAN HOMEWORKS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WILDFLOWER FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF MN SCHOOLS |
| PERSPECTIVES | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $60,000 | 2024 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING |
| THE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BREAKTHROUGH TWIN CITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BLACK MEN TEACH | HOPKINS, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BANYAN COMMUNITY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ED ALLIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST DAVID'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SERVICES | MINNETONKA, MN | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES | ST PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHADTOUGH DEFEAT DIPG FOUNDATION | SALINE, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HATS & MITTENS | MINNETONKA, MN | $3,500 | 2024 | PURCHASE OF HATS & MITTENS |
| SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,300,000 | 2023 | GENERAL DISTRIBUTION |
| GREAT MN SCHOOLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $200,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING | ST PAUL, MN | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
GENERAL DISTRIBUTIONTRANSFER OF 900 SHARES OF APPLE (FMV: $205,668; COST BASIS: $2,610)
BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DOUGHERTY FAMILY COLLEGE
$100,000FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEN SCHOLARS
AEON
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST DAVID'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SERVICES
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WILDFLOWER FOUNDATION
$60,000SUPPORT OF MN SCHOOLS
URBAN HOMEWORKS
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GREATER MINNESOTA HOUSING FUND (GMHF)
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HATS & MITTENS
$2,000PURCHASE OF HATS & MITTENS
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT & EXPANSION SUPPORT FOR GREAT BY 8 PROGRAM
AEON
$120,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DOUGHERTY FAMILY COLLEGE
$100,000FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEN SCHOLARS
ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WILDFLOWER FOUNDATION
$60,000SUPPORT OF MN SCHOOLS
BANYAN COMMUNITY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST DAVID'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SERVICES
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HATS & MITTENS
$3,500PURCHASE OF HATS & MITTENS