The Burwell Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on a small number of sizable, unrestricted gifts, primarily supporting higher education and performing arts. Roughly 87% of recent dollars went to the University of Denver (three grants for general charitable purposes), with a single $100,000 gift to Lundstrum Performing Arts, suggesting a mix of major institutional support and local arts investment.
Rodney and Barbara Burwell Family Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by a few large, repeated investments rather than a wide spread of small awards. The clearest pattern is its support for the University of Denver, which received three grants in the recent list, including two $250,000 awards to the Career Achievement Center and a $165,000 grant for general charitable purposes. That concentration signals a strong commitment to higher education, especially when paired with another $25,000 gift to Pioneer Venture Group at the same university. The foundation also backs performing arts and related community institutions in Minnesota. Lundstrum Performing Arts received a $100,000 grant for general charitable purposes, while the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestral Association, Vocal Essence, Children's Theatre Company, and Minneapolis Institute of Art each appear among the recent recipients. Alongside those cultural gifts, the foundation has funded Proof Alliance for prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and YMCA youth-government programming, showing that its giving is not limited to one field. Recent grants suggest a foundation that favors direct institutional support, with many awards labeled general charitable purposes or tied to broad operating needs.
Higher education is the strongest named theme in the recent grants. The University of Denver received $250,000 for the Career Achievement Center in 2025, another $250,000 for the same purpose in 2024, and $165,000 for general charitable purposes in 2024. A separate $25,000 grant to Pioneer Venture Group at the university adds a second education-linked program area. The foundation also supports arts organizations at different scales. Lundstrum Performing Arts received $100,000 for general charitable purposes, and Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts received $5,000 for general charitable purposes. Other arts grants went to Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestral Association, Vocal Essence, Children's Theatre Company, and Minneapolis Institute of Art. Community and youth-focused giving appears in smaller but clear program grants. YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities received $20,000 for the C. Donald Peterson Endowment for Youth in Government, and Proof Alliance received $5,000 for prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
$514K
$9.6M
$481K
$558K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to very few recipients; repeat, multi-grant support for a flagship grantee (University of Denver) plus occasional single large gifts to arts organizations.
Notable grantees: University of Denver, Lundstrum Performing Arts
The typical grant sits in the low-thousands: the 25th percentile is $1,625, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. That distribution sits alongside a few much larger awards, which makes the overall pattern look layered rather than uniform. The recent list also shows repeat grants to the same organizations across multiple years, especially the University of Denver, Ducks Unlimited, Wayzata Community Church, Minnesota Orchestral Association, and Proof Alliance. Most awards are labeled general charitable purposes or other broad support categories, indicating a preference for flexible funding over narrowly restricted project grants.
The foundation gives locally, and 81% of grants go to recipients in Minnesota. Minneapolis appears frequently among recent recipients, including Lundstrum Performing Arts, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestral Association, Vocal Essence, Children's Theatre Company, and Minneapolis Institute of Art. St. Paul also appears through YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, YMCA of the North, and Proof Alliance. Outside Minnesota, the most visible recipient location is Denver, CO, through the University of Denver, and Memphis, TN appears with Ducks Unlimited, the top state by grant count.
Recent grants point to higher education, performing arts, and select youth and community programs. The University of Denver, Lundstrum Performing Arts, Minnesota Orchestra, YMCA youth-government programming, and Proof Alliance all appear in the recent list.
The distribution is concentrated in modest grants: the 25th percentile is $1,625, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent list also includes a small number of much larger gifts, including six-figure awards.
Yes. The University of Denver appears in 2024 and 2025 with multiple awards, Ducks Unlimited appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Wayzata Community Church and Proof Alliance each show up more than once. That suggests recurring relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
Most grants go to Minnesota recipients, with 81% of grants in the HQ state. Minneapolis and St. Paul are the most visible recipient cities in the recent list, while Denver and Memphis also appear among the recipients.
The recent grants include career achievement and higher education, youth in government, prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and general support for arts and community institutions. Named examples include the University of Denver’s Career Achievement Center, YMCA youth-government programming, and Proof Alliance.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $375,000 | 2026 | CAREER ACHIEVEMENT CENTER |
| LUNDSTRUM PERFORMING ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,025 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| YMCA OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FRIENDS OF MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $13,200 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CAN DO CANINES | NEW HOPE, MN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NSCDA DUMBARTON HOUSE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,400 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BRECK SCHOOL | GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $4,900 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCH | WAYZATA, MN | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | EDINA, MN | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER MINNEAPOLIS CRISIS NURSERY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST OLAF COLLEGE | NORTHFIELD, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNESOTA OPERA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| LONG LAKE VOLUNTEER FIREMAN'S RELIEF ASSOCATION | ORONO, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| VOCAL ESSENCE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PROOF ALLIANCE | ST PAUL, MN | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| TPT | ST PAUL, MN | $1,200 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| EDINA CHAMBER SINGERS | EDINA, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WATER MISSION | NORTH CHARLESTON, SD | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE RETREAT | WAYZATA, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| AGATE HOUSING SERVICES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GIVING VOICE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | CAREER ACHIEVEMENT CENTER |
| LUNDSTRUM PERFORMING ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| YMCA OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $11,950 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCH | WAYZATA, MN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | EDINA, MN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BRECK SCHOOL | GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| AOPA FOUNDATION | FREDRICK, MD | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER MINNEAPOLIS CRISIS NURSERY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CARING BRIDGE | EAGAN, MN | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST OLAF COLLEGE | NORTHFIELD, MN | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNEAPOLIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CAN DO CANINES | NEW HOPE, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| VOCAL ESSENCE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PROOF ALLIANCE | ST PAUL, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
YMCA OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FRIENDS OF MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
$13,200GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NSCDA DUMBARTON HOUSE
$5,400GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCH
$4,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$4,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
LONG LAKE VOLUNTEER FIREMAN'S RELIEF ASSOCATION
$2,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
PROOF ALLIANCE
$1,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
TPT
$1,200GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
EDINA CHAMBER SINGERS
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WATER MISSION
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE RETREAT
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
GIVING VOICE
$500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
$11,950GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCH
$6,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$6,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CARING BRIDGE
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MINNEAPOLIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
PROOF ALLIANCE
$2,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES