The Sauer Family Foundation makes very large, targeted grants rather than many small awards. Recent giving splits between a major pass-through/donor-advised contribution and a substantial gift to a youth sports performance organization, suggesting interests in enabling philanthropy and investing in athletic development. Their grants appear concentrated and transactional rather than widely distributed across causes.
Highly concentrated: very few, large-dollar gifts (two grants totaling $12M). Mix of donor-advised/pass-through funding and direct grants to single mission-driven organizations, with limited portfolio diversification and evidence of one-off or strategic large commitments.
A $9 million grant to Fidelity Charitable Trust stands out in The Sauer Family Foundation’s recent record and points to a funder that makes a few very large, deliberate awards. The rest of the recent grant list reinforces that pattern: a $3 million grant went to V3 Sports, and several six-figure gifts followed to Minnesota organizations working in child welfare, education, family support, and community services. The foundation’s giving is not broad-based; it centers on targeted investments that appear to support both direct service organizations and larger philanthropic or institutional vehicles. Recent grants show a strong Minnesota orientation, with Minneapolis and Saint Paul appearing often, alongside county agencies and local nonprofits in the state. Within that landscape, the foundation backs organizations serving children, youth, and families, including family resource centers, foster-care and child-welfare systems, literacy and educational success, and workforce pathways tied to Minnesota’s children. A smaller set of grants also supports youth sports and recreation, suggesting that athletics is one part of a larger portfolio rather than the sole emphasis. The overall picture is of a foundation that concentrates capital in a limited number of recipients and uses sizable grants to support specific institutions and programs.
Child welfare and family support are central themes in the foundation’s programmatic giving. In one recent example, it gave $408,530 to Scott County Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare for child welfare work, and another grant of $362,025 went to Mitchell Hamline School of Law Child Protection Program. Those awards sit alongside support for foster and family stability efforts such as a $242,560 grant to Foster Advocates. Education is another clear area. The foundation gave $528,000 to Wallin Education Partners and $420,706 to University of Mn Foundation, while a separate grant of $185,000 went to Way to Grow. It also funds family resource infrastructure through grants to county and community partners, including $223,300 to Morrison County Health and Human Services and $190,200 to Carver County. Youth sports and recreation appear through a major $3 million grant to V3 Sports, showing that the foundation also makes large investments in athletic development and community recreation capacity.
$39.2M
$61.4M
$6.6M
$22.3M
Most grants fall between $25K and $100K, with a median of $58K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$58K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 92% of grants go to recipients in NC.
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Notable grantees: Fidelity Charitable Trust, V3 Sports
Typical grants are substantial: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $57,874, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. Recent giving also includes several much larger awards, which pulls the profile toward concentrated, high-dollar transactions rather than many small checks. The recent record shows repeat recipients over multiple years, including University of Mn Foundation, Wayside Recovery Center, Scott County Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare, Minnesota Judicial Branch, and Wallin Education Partners. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several active programs are invitation-only, especially those tied to racially equitable career pathways.
The Sauer Family Foundation gives locally, with 92% of grants going to recipients in Minnesota. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Shakopee appear repeatedly in the recent grant list, along with St. Louis Park, Hastings, Chaska, and Duluth. The foundation’s top giving state by grant count is North Carolina, but the grant record provided here is entirely U.S.-based. Recent awards also reached recipients in Cincinnati, Kansas City, and New Haven, showing some out-of-state giving alongside a clearly Minnesota-centered portfolio.
Its recent grants lean toward organizations serving children, youth, and families: child welfare agencies, family-support groups, education intermediaries, literacy and learning programs, and youth sports organizations. The active programs also point to child welfare prevention, family resource centers, emotional safety for children and youth, and racially equitable workforce pathways.
The grant-size distribution centers at $25,000 for the 25th percentile, $57,874 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include much larger gifts, including a $9 million contribution and a $3 million grant.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including University of Mn Foundation, Wayside Recovery Center, Scott County Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare, Minnesota Judicial Branch, and Wallin Education Partners. That suggests a mix of sustained relationships and one-off large gifts.
Yes. The foundation’s racially equitable career pathways programs are listed as invitation-only and limited to existing partners as the foundation nears sunset. Those programs focus on building a workforce that reflects Minnesota’s children and are tied to Minnesota, with priority in the seven-county Twin Cities metro.
The foundation gives locally, and 92% of grants go to recipients in Minnesota. Minneapolis and Saint Paul appear frequently in the recent grants, with additional Minnesota recipients in Shakopee, St. Louis Park, Hastings, Chaska, Duluth, and Little Falls.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Sauer Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Accepting grant inquiries. Supports organizations working in Minnesota, especially in settings serving children at risk of abuse or neglect or exposed to toxic stress/trauma. Staff contact: Sheri Hixon.
Deadline: 2026 grant deadlines: February 27 and September 25.
Who can apply: Accepting grant inquiries. Does not fund individual mental health treatment or counseling. Staff contact: Emma Mogendorff.
Deadline: 2026 grant deadlines: February 27 and September 25.
Who can apply: The foundation invites grant applications from Counties, Tribes or their nominated agencies building Family Resource Centers. The page also indicates work with counties in Minnesota and support through partner organizations.
Deadline: 2026 grant deadlines: February 27 and September 25.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE TRUST | CINCINNATI, OH | $9,000,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MN FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $420,706 | 2025 | NONE |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE | ST PAUL, MN | $370,779 | 2025 | NONE |
| MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM | SAINT PAUL, MN | $362,025 | 2025 | NONE |
| WALLIN EDUCATION PARTNERS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $345,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| SCOTT COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHILD WELFARE | SHAKOPEE, MN | $337,444 | 2025 | NONE |
| SERVEMINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $270,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| WAYSIDE RECOVERY CENTER | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $258,561 | 2025 | NONE |
| FOSTER ADVOCATES | ST PAUL, MN | $242,560 | 2025 | NONE |
| CANINE INSPIRED CHANGE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $225,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| MORRISON COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | LITTLE FALLS, MN | $223,300 | 2025 | NONE |
| MINNESOTA JUDICIAL BRANCH | SAINT PAUL, MN | $191,396 | 2025 | NONE |
| AMHERST H WILDER FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $191,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| CARVER COUNTY | CHASKA, MN | $190,200 | 2025 | NONE |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $185,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| DAKOTA COUNTY | HASTINGS, MN | $185,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| ST LOUIS COUNTY PHHS | DULUTH, MN | $184,400 | 2025 | NONE |
| MERRICK COMMUNITY SERVICES | ST PAUL, MN | $180,650 | 2025 | NONE |
| KIPP MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $175,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| THE SANNEH FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $164,066 | 2025 | NONE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES | SAINT PAUL, MN | $155,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| STEARNS COUNTY | ST CLOUD, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND TRAUMA INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $150,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| FOSTERING MEDIA CONNECTIONS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| PINE COUNTY | PINE CITY, MN | $145,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| MN ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH | SAINT PAUL, MN | $138,945 | 2025 | NONE |
| MN COUNTIES FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $138,325 | 2025 | NONE |
| TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL | GLENCOE, MN | $136,138 | 2025 | NONE |
| YWCA MINNEAPOLIS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $135,430 | 2025 | NONE |
| RICE COUNTY | FAIRBAULT, MN | $130,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $130,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| HENNEPIN COUNTY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $130,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| MAIN STREET FAMILY SERVICES | ELK RIVER, MN | $128,978 | 2025 | NONE |
| HORNETS HIVE DBA CORNERSTONE | FRAZEE, MN | $127,558 | 2025 | NONE |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,085 | 2025 | NONE |
| ENDAZHI-NITAAWIGING | RED LAKE, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| PHYLLIS WHEATLEY COMMUNITY CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $124,500 | 2025 | NONE |
| PLAYWORKS EDUCATION ENERGIZE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $123,500 | 2025 | NONE |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN | PORTLAND, OR | $120,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| AMPERSAND FAMILIES | ROSEVILLE, MN | $116,495 | 2025 | NONE |
| AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $115,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| THE WELL MINISTRIES (DBA TREEHOUSE OF SCOTT COUNTY) | NEW PRAGUE, MN | $112,800 | 2025 | NONE |
| MONTESSORI CENTER OF MINNESOTA | SAINT PAUL, MN | $110,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| WRIGHT COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION | MAPLE LAKE, MN | $105,929 | 2025 | NONE |
| ASCENTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $105,000 | 2025 | NONE |
| GREAT MN SCHOOLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $104,135 | 2025 | NONE |
| MINNESOTA SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $103,250 | 2025 | NONE |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES | STILLWATER, MN | $102,920 | 2025 | NONE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $101,200 | 2025 | NONE |
| BLACK MEN TEACH | HOPKINS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | NONE |
FIDELITY CHARITABLE TRUST
$9,000,000NONE
UNIVERSITY OF MN FOUNDATION
$420,706NONE
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
$370,779NONE
MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM
$362,025NONE
WALLIN EDUCATION PARTNERS
$345,000NONE
SCOTT COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHILD WELFARE
$337,444NONE
SERVEMINNESOTA
$270,000NONE
WAYSIDE RECOVERY CENTER
$258,561NONE
FOSTER ADVOCATES
$242,560NONE
CANINE INSPIRED CHANGE
$225,000NONE
MORRISON COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
$223,300NONE
MINNESOTA JUDICIAL BRANCH
$191,396NONE
AMHERST H WILDER FOUNDATION
$191,000NONE
CARVER COUNTY
$190,200NONE
WAY TO GROW
$185,000NONE
DAKOTA COUNTY
$185,000NONE
ST LOUIS COUNTY PHHS
$184,400NONE
MERRICK COMMUNITY SERVICES
$180,650NONE
KIPP MINNESOTA
$175,000NONE
THE SANNEH FOUNDATION
$164,066NONE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES
$155,000NONE
STEARNS COUNTY
$150,000NONE
FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND TRAUMA INC
$150,000NONE
FOSTERING MEDIA CONNECTIONS
$150,000NONE
PINE COUNTY
$145,000NONE
MN ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH
$138,945NONE
MN COUNTIES FOUNDATION
$138,325NONE
TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
$136,138NONE
YWCA MINNEAPOLIS
$135,430NONE
RICE COUNTY
$130,000NONE
UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS
$130,000NONE
HENNEPIN COUNTY
$130,000NONE
MAIN STREET FAMILY SERVICES
$128,978NONE
HORNETS HIVE DBA CORNERSTONE
$127,558NONE
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MINNESOTA
$125,085NONE
ENDAZHI-NITAAWIGING
$125,000NONE
PHYLLIS WHEATLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
$124,500NONE
PLAYWORKS EDUCATION ENERGIZE
$123,500NONE
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN
$120,000NONE
AMPERSAND FAMILIES
$116,495NONE
AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY
$115,000NONE
THE WELL MINISTRIES (DBA TREEHOUSE OF SCOTT COUNTY)
$112,800NONE
MONTESSORI CENTER OF MINNESOTA
$110,000NONE
WRIGHT COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION
$105,929NONE
ASCENTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$105,000NONE
GREAT MN SCHOOLS
$104,135NONE
MINNESOTA SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCATION
$103,250NONE
WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES
$102,920NONE
UNIVERSITY OF MN
$101,200NONE
BLACK MEN TEACH
$100,000NONE
