The Sexton Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on a small number of regional organizations that serve education, conservation, and children’s services in Minnesota and surrounding rural communities. Most dollars flow to a few repeat recipients—notably a local university and a conservation nonprofit—while smaller gifts support early childhood care. The foundation appears to prioritize community-level impact in higher education access, habitat conservation for pheasants and upland game, and childcare support.
Concentrated giving: a few relatively large grants with repeat multi-year or multiple awards to the same grantees (St. John’s University and Pheasants Forever), plus one smaller targeted gift to a local childcare provider.
The William D and Joyce E Sexton Family Foundation’s largest recent grant in the data was $141,700 to St Johns University for charitable activities, and that relationship appears repeatedly across multiple years. The foundation’s giving also includes significant support for Pheasants Forever, another recurring recipient, which points to a pattern of backing both higher education and conservation over time. Alongside those larger commitments, the foundation makes smaller grants to organizations serving child care, scholarships, hospice, youth programs, and community-based services in Minnesota and other U.S. locations. The recent record shows a family foundation that does not spread its dollars evenly across many grantees. Instead, it returns to a short list of recipients and varies check size widely, from smaller community gifts to larger institutional support. St Johns University and Pheasants Forever stand out as the clearest examples of that repeat-giving approach. Other named recipients such as Kids Rock Child Care Center, Hospice of Luverne, and Jaspar Area Dollars for Scholars show the foundation’s interest in local service organizations and educational assistance. The overall picture is of a funder with a practical, community-facing grant pattern centered on education, conservation, and rural Minnesota organizations.
Education is a consistent theme in the foundation’s recent grants. In 2025, it gave $25,000 to Jaspar Area Dollars for Scholars for charitable activities, and it also supported Southside Family Charter School with $20,000 the same year. Higher education appears in grants to College of St Benedict, including $14,000 in 2025 and $12,000 in 2024. Child and family services are another visible area. The foundation awarded $35,000 to Kids Rock Child Care Center in Luverne in 2025, and gave $10,000 to The Bridge for Youth in Minneapolis that same year. Its grant list also includes cultural and community organizations, such as $10,000 to Zamya Theatre Project and $10,000 to Hopewell Music Cooperative, both in Minneapolis. Conservation is present through repeated support for Pheasants Forever, which received multiple charitable-activity grants across 2023 to 2025.
$743K
$7.2M
$529K
$789K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Notable grantees: St. John’s University, Pheasants Forever, Kids Rock Child Care Center
The grant-size profile is small-to-midrange: p25 is $1,000, median is $1,700, and p75 is $4,500. At the same time, the recent record includes a few much larger awards, which shows a mixed approach rather than a single fixed grant level. The foundation’s grant history also suggests repeat support, with several recipients appearing in multiple years, especially St Johns University, Pheasants Forever, Tcu, and College of St Benedict. The organization is a family foundation, not a fund that makes program-related investments and not one that funds individuals. The grants data does not show an application process, so giving appears to be relationship-driven rather than open-call based.
The foundation gives nationally, but its strongest concentration is in Minnesota: 41% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Within Minnesota, grants cluster around Collegeville, St Paul, Minneapolis, Luverne, and Wayzata. The top state by grant count is Maryland, showing that the geographic pattern is broader than the headquarters state. All listed grants in the dataset are to U.S. recipients, with no non-U.S. countries appearing in the recent record.
The recent record shows support for colleges and scholarship groups, conservation nonprofits, child care, youth services, hospice, and community programs. Examples include St Johns University, Pheasants Forever, Kids Rock Child Care Center, Hospice of Luverne, and Jaspar Area Dollars for Scholars.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including St Johns University, Pheasants Forever, Tcu, and College of St Benedict. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time-only grants.
The distribution is relatively small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, median grant size is $1,700, and the 75th percentile is $4,500. The recent grant list also includes larger awards, including seven-figure-scale annual giving overall across many grants.
Minnesota receives 41% of grants, and the most common recipient state by count is Maryland. Recent Minnesota recipients include organizations in Collegeville, St Paul, Minneapolis, Luverne, and Wayzata.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals; the available data identifies grants to organizations only, including universities, nonprofits, schools, and community groups.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY | COLLEGEVILLE, MN | $70,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| JASPAR AREA DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS | PIPESTONE, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LUVERNE KIDS ROCK DAYCARE CENTER | LUVERNE, MN | $35,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CULVER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | CULVER, IN | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HOSPICE OF LUVERNE | LUVERNE, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| COLD SPRING AREA YOUTH ASSOC | COLD SPRINGS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | YOUTH ACTIVITIES |
| ALUMNI NEWS | LUVERNE, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| TCU | FORT WORTH, TX | $23,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITY |
| ISD 466 DASSEL-COKATO SCHOOLS | COKATO, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| COLLEGE OF ST BENEDICT | ST JOSEPH, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LITERACY MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| ZAMYA THEATRE PROJECT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION | ST PAUL, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| QUEER SPACE COLLECTIVE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| MINNESOTA PRISON WRITING WORKSHOP | ST PAUL, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SERVICES TO ENHANCE POTENTIAL | DEARBORN, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| BRIDGING | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| BENCHWARMERS MEDIA | WAYZATA, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LUVERNE DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS | LUVERNE, MN | $12,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CULTURAL SURVIVAL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITA | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| IOCP - BOB'S SLEEP OUT | WAYZATA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HONOR HEALTH FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| ROAD DOG RESCUE | CRYSTAL, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION | TRUCKEE, CA | $8,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LAKE TAHOE SCHOOL | INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | $8,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| TOP DOG FOUNDATION INC | NEW GERMANY, MN | $7,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| INCLINE TAHOE FOUNDATION | INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | $7,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $7,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| KIDS & HORSES | MINDEN, NV | $7,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| PHEASANTS FOREVER | ST PAUL, MN | $7,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| ST BARTHOLOMEW | WAYZATA, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| AUSSIE RESCUE OF MINNESOTA | ELK RIVER, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MN KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SEAL FUTURE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SKIDUCK | RENO, NV | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATION | BOISE, ID | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LIONS FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA | VICTORIA, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| RENO SPARKS GOSPEL MISSION | RENO, NV | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TRADEMARK THEATRE | ST PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| THE BRIDGE FOR YOUTH | M INNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| NORTH TAHOE ARTS | TAHOE CITY, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| COUR EXPERIANCE | RANCHO CORDOVA, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIV ITIES |
| CLASSICAL TAHOE | INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| INCLINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY
$70,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
JASPAR AREA DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
LUVERNE KIDS ROCK DAYCARE CENTER
$35,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
HOSPICE OF LUVERNE
$25,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
COLD SPRING AREA YOUTH ASSOC
$25,000YOUTH ACTIVITIES
ALUMNI NEWS
$25,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
TCU
$23,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITY
ISD 466 DASSEL-COKATO SCHOOLS
$20,000EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF ST BENEDICT
$20,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
ZAMYA THEATRE PROJECT
$15,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SERVICES TO ENHANCE POTENTIAL
$15,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
BENCHWARMERS MEDIA
$15,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
LUVERNE DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
$12,500CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
IOCP - BOB'S SLEEP OUT
$10,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
ROAD DOG RESCUE
$10,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
TOP DOG FOUNDATION INC
$7,500CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
INCLINE TAHOE FOUNDATION
$7,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$7,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
KIDS & HORSES
$7,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
PHEASANTS FOREVER
$7,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
ST BARTHOLOMEW
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
AUSSIE RESCUE OF MINNESOTA
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
UNIVERSITY OF MN KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SKIDUCK
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
LIONS FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
RENO SPARKS GOSPEL MISSION
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TRADEMARK THEATRE
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
NORTH TAHOE ARTS
$4,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
COUR EXPERIANCE
$4,000CHARITABLE ACTIV ITIES
INCLINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
$3,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES