The Pamela Bakken Foundation concentrates philanthropic support in the Minneapolis / greater Minnesota area, favoring local civic, religious, and educational institutions. Grants are primarily unrestricted general operating awards to community groups (alliances and rotary), a Lutheran congregation, and higher-education/athletics funds, suggesting a preference for strengthening local social infrastructure and institutions. The foundation tends to fund a small set of repeat beneficiaries with relatively large individual grants rather than many one-off gifts.
Concentrated, relatively large general-operating grants to a handful of repeat regional grantees; favors unrestricted support over project-specific funding.
Pamela Bakken Foundation’s giving pattern is anchored by repeated, sizable general operating grants to a small group of local institutions. Southern Valley Alliance received $25,000 in both 2024 and 2025, while Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church was awarded $25,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024. That repetition points to a funder that supports ongoing organizational work rather than isolated projects. The foundation’s recent grants also show a mix of civic, faith-based, and higher-education support. Prior Lake Rotary Foundation appeared in multiple years, University of St Thomas received support in 2024 and 2025, and the Golden Gopher Fund was funded in 2023, 2024, and 2025. These awards sit alongside local community groups and service organizations, which suggests a preference for institutions that play a steady role in the Minneapolis and greater Minnesota civic landscape. Across the recent grant list, the foundation’s awards are mostly general operating or general-purpose grants, including several grants left to the grantee’s determination. The result is a pattern of flexible support for organizations with established presence in the communities they serve.
In local community development, the foundation gave $25,000 in 2025 to Southern Valley Alliance for general purpose use determined by the grantee, and $5,000 in 2025 to Cap Agency of Scott Carver & Dakota Counties for the same type of support. Those awards fit a broader pattern of backing community-based institutions that serve nearby residents. Civic and service organizations are another clear theme. Prior Lake Rotary Foundation received $15,000 in 2025 after earlier support of $18,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024, showing sustained support for a local Rotary entity. The foundation also funds faith and education-related groups. Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church received $25,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024 for general operating support, while University of St Thomas received $20,000 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2025. This mix points to flexible support across congregational, academic, and community institutions.
Typical grant sizes cluster at modest to mid-sized levels: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Even so, the recent list includes several larger awards at $15,000, $20,000, and $25,000, indicating that the foundation reserves bigger gifts for selected repeat recipients. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off. Southern Valley Alliance, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake Rotary Foundation, University of St Thomas, and the Golden Gopher Fund each appear in multiple years. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Grants are generally flexible, often described as general operating or general purpose support determined by the grantee.
$289K
$1.6M
-$12K
$90K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 84% of grants go to recipients in MN.
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Notable grantees: Southern Valley Alliance, Prior Lake Rotary Foundation, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, University of St. Thomas, Golden Gopher Fund
Giving is highly concentrated in Minnesota: 84% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Minnesota is also the top state by grant count. Recent awards reach Shakopee, Prior Lake, St Paul, Minneapolis, Garrison, Blaine, and Emily. The remainder of the recipient base is still U.S.-only, with grants also landing in Oklahoma, Arizona, Illinois, Colorado, and Missouri. No non-U.S. recipient countries appear in the recent grant data.
The recent grants point to local civic, religious, educational, and service organizations. Recipients include Southern Valley Alliance, Prior Lake Rotary Foundation, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, University of St Thomas, and the Golden Gopher Fund, with most awards described as general operating or general-purpose support.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Southern Valley Alliance in 2024 and 2025, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in 2023 and 2024, and Prior Lake Rotary Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Golden Gopher Fund also appears across three years.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered at $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,500 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger gifts of $15,000, $20,000, and $25,000 for selected recipients.
Minnesota is the main recipient state, with 84% of grants going to organizations in the HQ state. Recent Minnesota recipients include groups in Shakopee, Prior Lake, St Paul, Minneapolis, Garrison, Blaine, and Emily.
No non-U.S. recipient countries appear in the recent grant data. All 51 grants listed were made to U.S. organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE | SHAKOPEE, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| ADOPT A HUSKEY MINNESOTA | BLAINE, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES | SHAKOPEE, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| HOMELESS & WOUNDED WARRIORS-MN | EMILY, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| GOLDEN GOPHER FUND | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,400 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION | FALCON HEIGHTS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| PRIOR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB | ANNANDALE, MN | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE |
| SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE | SHAKOPEE, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH | GARRISON, MN | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GOLDEN GOPHER FUND | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $12,400 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MOUNTAIN RESCUE ASPEN | ASPEN, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA | BLAINE, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALS ASSOCIATION | ST PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION OF MN AND ND | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SNOWMASS CHAPEL | SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAKE A WISH | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE BAKKEN MUSEUM | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION | FALCON HEIGHTS, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION | FALCON HEIGHTS, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES | SHAKOPEE, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB | ANNANDALE, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES | SHAKOPEE, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER | FINLAND, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER | FINLAND, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ROSEVILLE, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA | BLAINE, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB | ANNANDALE, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH | GARRISON, MN | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $18,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA | BLAINE, MN | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRIOR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT | PRIOR LAKE, MN | $3,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GOLDEN GOPHER FUND | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,400 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION | FALCON HEIGHTS, MN | $2,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES | SHAKOPEE, MN | $2,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB | ANNANDALE, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER | FINLAND, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ROSEVILLE, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
ADOPT A HUSKEY MINNESOTA
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
HOMELESS & WOUNDED WARRIORS-MN
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
GOLDEN GOPHER FUND
$2,400GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
PRIOR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GRANTEE
SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
GOLDEN GOPHER FUND
$12,400GENERAL OPERATING
MOUNTAIN RESCUE ASPEN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALS ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION OF MN AND ND
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SNOWMASS CHAPEL
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAKE A WISH
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE BAKKEN MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION
$18,000GENERAL OPERATING
ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PRIOR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING
GOLDEN GOPHER FUND
$2,400GENERAL OPERATING
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING