WEM Foundation is a major institutional funder focused on cultural institutions, place-based community infrastructure in Minnesota, and a handful of national flagship institutions. Grants heavily support museums, botanical gardens/arboreta, arts organizations, and local education and health institutions, with repeated multi-million dollar gifts to the same organizations. The foundation also makes targeted gifts to religious congregations and select out-of-state cultural partners (notably in Vero Beach, FL and Washington, DC).
Wem Foundation’s recent record is defined by very large gifts to museums, science centers, and other place-based institutions, led by a $75,165,000 grant to the Smithsonian Institution in 2024. That scale appears alongside major support for Minnesota cultural anchors, including a $25,050,000 grant to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and an $18,000,000 grant to the University of Minnesota Foundation - Bell Museum and Planetarium. The foundation also backs institutions that shape civic life beyond the arts: education, health care, parks, and food access all appear in its grant list. Within Minnesota, repeated awards to organizations in Minneapolis and St. Paul show a strong concentration on institutions tied to the state’s public life and community infrastructure. The recent grants also include significant support for Vero Beach cultural organizations and for faith-affiliated community programs, indicating that the foundation’s portfolio is not limited to one sector. Across the top grants, the pattern is not small project funding but large institutional commitments, often at levels that can support major capital, program, or operating needs.
Museums and science institutions are a central part of the portfolio. The foundation gave $20,000,000 to the Minnesota Historical Society in 2023 and $5,100,000 to the same organization in 2024, alongside $75,165,000 to the Smithsonian Institution. Botanical and garden-related giving is another clear thread: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum received $25,000,000 in 2023 and another $5,050,000 in 2024, while Mckee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach received $5,025,000. Education and workforce training also appear repeatedly. Dunwoody College of Technology received $25,000,000 in 2023 and $5,000,000 in 2024, and Junior Achievement North received $8,000,000 in 2023. The foundation also supports local student-success and school-access organizations, including Project Success, Northside Achievement Zone, Hope Academy, Groves Academy, and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.
Typical grant size is large: the 25th percentile is $35,000, the median is $125,000, and the 75th percentile is $1,500,000. The recent list shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Second Harvest Heartland, and Dunwoody College of Technology. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals. Many awards are general grants, which points to flexible support for core operations, capital, or institution-level priorities rather than narrowly restricted projects.
$359.5M
$0
$5.9M
$360.2M
Most grants fall between $35K and $1.5M, with a median of $125K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$125K
75th Percentile
$1.5M
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Wem Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 269 | $557.3M | 97.8% |
| 2 | South Africa | 6 |
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants with multiple repeat gifts to core grantees; a strong tilt toward institutional capital and general operating support for cultural, educational, and community organizations primarily in Minnesota, with a few high-profile national partners.
Notable grantees: Smithsonian Institution, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Dunwoody College of Technology, Mayo Clinic, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Giving is heavily concentrated in Minnesota: 76% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Minnesota is also the top state by grant count. Minneapolis appears repeatedly, with grants to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation, Minneapolis Parks Foundation, Guthrie Theater, and several education organizations. St. Paul also shows up through Minnesota Historical Society and Junior Achievement North. Outside Minnesota, the foundation has sizable awards in Washington, DC and Vero Beach, FL, and the recipient country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based at 97.8% of grants.
The recent grants point to museums, science centers, botanical gardens, arts organizations, education and workforce institutions, health and hospital institutions, and place-based community groups. Examples include the Smithsonian Institution, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Dunwoody College of Technology, Mayo Clinic, and Minneapolis Parks Foundation.
Typical grants are substantial: the 25th percentile is $35,000, the median is $125,000, and the 75th percentile is $1,500,000. The recent grant list also includes multi-million-dollar awards, showing that the foundation often operates at an institutional scale.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Second Harvest Heartland, and Dunwoody College of Technology. The repeated awards suggest ongoing relationships with core grantees.
Minnesota is the clear center of gravity: 76% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Minnesota is the top state by grant count. Minneapolis and St. Paul appear frequently in the recent grant list, with additional awards in Rochester, Chaska, Brooklyn Park, and St. Louis Park.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
| $8.1M |
2.2% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,165,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,050,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| THE LEARNING ALLIANCE | VERO BEACH, FL | $20,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WILLIAMS COLLEGE | WILLIAMSTOWN, ME | $15,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| RIVERSIDE THEATRE | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,050,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,030,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MINNEAPOLIS PARKS FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| GUTHRIE THEATER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $8,225,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| PROJECT SUCCESS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $7,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $6,250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $6,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| GROVES ACADEMY | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $5,255,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST PAUL, MN | $5,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| GREAT MN SCHOOLS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $5,060,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM | CHASKA, MN | $5,050,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | VERO BEACH, FL | $5,025,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WAY TO GROW | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,750,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| URBAN VENTURES LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,550,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| LUNDSTRUM PERFORMING ARTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SUMMIT ACADEMY OIC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| PRODEO ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $4,075,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ST DAVID'S CENTER FOR CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT | MINNETONKA, MN | $3,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| YWCA MINNEAPOLIS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| YOUTH FRONTIERS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $3,150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MINNESOTA COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION | ST PAUL, MN | $3,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| THINK SMALL | ST PAUL, MN | $3,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,025,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NORTHSIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY NETWORK | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $3,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WALLIN EDUCATION PARTNERS | ST PAUL, MN | $3,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| KINGSWOOD COLLEGE | GRAHAMSTOWN | $2,050,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS | MAKHANDA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| PRODUCER PARTNERSHIP INC | LIVINGSTON, MT | $2,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE | MAKHANDA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WE CARE SOLAR | BERKELEY, CA | $1,900,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| EVERY MEAL | ROSEVILLE, MN | $1,510,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| VOYAGEUR OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | ST PAUL, MN | $1,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $1,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| FIRST TEE - MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $1,350,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| JEREMIAH PROGRAM | ST PAUL, MN | $1,250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
$75,165,000GENERAL
MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
$25,050,000GENERAL
THE LEARNING ALLIANCE
$20,000,000GENERAL
WILLIAMS COLLEGE
$15,000,000GENERAL
RIVERSIDE THEATRE
$10,050,000GENERAL
VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART
$10,030,000GENERAL
ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
GENERAL
MINNEAPOLIS PARKS FOUNDATION
$10,000,000GENERAL
GUTHRIE THEATER
$8,225,000GENERAL
PROJECT SUCCESS
$7,100,000GENERAL
NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE
$6,250,000GENERAL
NATURE CONSERVANCY
$6,100,000GENERAL
GROVES ACADEMY
$5,255,000GENERAL
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$5,150,000GENERAL
MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$5,100,000GENERAL
GREAT MN SCHOOLS
$5,100,000GENERAL
SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND
$5,060,000GENERAL
MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM
$5,050,000GENERAL
MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN
$5,025,000GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$5,000,000GENERAL
DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
$5,000,000GENERAL
WAY TO GROW
$4,750,000GENERAL
URBAN VENTURES LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
$4,550,000GENERAL
LUNDSTRUM PERFORMING ARTS
$4,500,000GENERAL
CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
$4,150,000GENERAL
SUMMIT ACADEMY OIC
$4,150,000GENERAL
PRODEO ACADEMY
$4,100,000GENERAL
MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC
$4,075,000GENERAL
PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING
$3,500,000GENERAL
ST DAVID'S CENTER FOR CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
$3,500,000GENERAL
YWCA MINNEAPOLIS
$3,250,000GENERAL
YOUTH FRONTIERS
$3,200,000GENERAL
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES
$3,150,000GENERAL
MINNESOTA COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION
$3,100,000GENERAL
THINK SMALL
$3,100,000GENERAL
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$3,025,000GENERAL
NORTHSIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY NETWORK
$3,000,000GENERAL
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY
$3,000,000GENERAL
WALLIN EDUCATION PARTNERS
$3,000,000GENERAL
KINGSWOOD COLLEGE
$2,050,000GENERAL
DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
$2,000,000GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$2,000,000GENERAL
PRODUCER PARTNERSHIP INC
$2,000,000GENERAL
ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE
$2,000,000GENERAL
WE CARE SOLAR
$1,900,000GENERAL
EVERY MEAL
$1,510,000GENERAL
VOYAGEUR OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
$1,500,000GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$1,500,000GENERAL
FIRST TEE - MINNESOTA
$1,350,000GENERAL
JEREMIAH PROGRAM
$1,250,000GENERAL