About Wilson Foundation
The Wilson Foundation concentrates its giving on regional policy and community resilience in the Twin Cities/Minnesota area, especially at the intersection of climate/energy policy and poverty-alleviation (housing and workforce). A large portion of assets is distributed through a donor-advised vehicle, while remaining grants repeatedly support a small set of local organizations working on affordable housing, job training for low-income people, youth poverty advocacy, and clean energy policy. The foundation favors policy-oriented climate groups and place-based service providers that combine housing and workforce supports.
Focus Areas
Midwest clean energy and climate policy advocacy (e.g., Fresh Energy, Great Plains Institute)Affordable housing development and supportive housing in Twin Cities (e.g., Beacon Interfaith Housing, Habitat)Workforce development and job placement for low‑income residents (e.g., HIRED, Project for Pride in Living)Youth poverty policy and advocacy in Minnesota (e.g., Youthprise)
Who They Fund
low-income individuals and familiesjob-seekers and workforce training participantshomeowners and renters needing housing support
About Wilson Foundation
Wilson Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by a dual focus on pathways out of poverty and environmental sustainability in Minnesota. A $7.33 million discretionary board-member gift to National Philanthropic Trust through a donor-advised fund stands out in the recent record, showing that a large share of capital can move through a DAF structure alongside direct grantmaking. Within its programmatic work, the foundation repeatedly backs Minneapolis–Saint Paul organizations that connect housing stability, workforce access, and policy advocacy. Fresh Energy, Great Plains Institute, Beacon Interfaith Housing, Project for Pride in Living, and Youthprise all appear in the recent-grants list, each funded at levels that signal sustained attention rather than one-off support. The pattern also reaches beyond the metro core, with grants to Duluth-based and Rochester-based organizations tied to workforce, housing, and climate-related work. The foundation’s program design includes unrestricted multi-year grants, targeted partnerships, and program-related investments, all aligned to a Minnesota-only geographic scope.
What Wilson Foundation Funds
In climate and energy policy, Wilson Foundation gave $400,000 to Great Plains Institute for a climate/policy grant and $400,000 to Fresh Energy for the same purpose, reinforcing its support for organizations that shape environmental policy in Minnesota. On housing, it awarded $400,000 to Beacon Interfaith Housing for a poverty/housing grant and $250,000 to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for poverty/housing work, showing a steady interest in affordability and stability. Workforce development is another clear line of giving: Project for Pride in Living received $400,000 for poverty/housing/workforce work, while Hired received $300,000 for a joint/workforce grant. The foundation also funded youth poverty advocacy, giving $400,000 to Youthprise for a poverty/multiple grant.
How Wilson Foundation Gives
The foundation’s typical grant size is $162,500 at the 25th percentile, $250,000 at the median, and $250,000 at the 75th percentile, which indicates a strong cluster around quarter-million-dollar awards. Recent records also show much larger capital movement through a donor-advised vehicle, including a $7.33 million discretionary board-member gift to National Philanthropic Trust. The grant list includes repeat recipients across 2023, 2024, and 2025, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. Wilson Foundation also makes program-related investments, including loan capital for affordable housing. Several active programs are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$11.1M
Total Assets
$88.4M
Total Revenue
$14.1M
Total Expenses
$14.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $163K and $250K, with a median of $250K.
25th Percentile
$163K
Median
$250K
75th Percentile
$250K
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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