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Lenzmeier Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.8M

Lenzmeier Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,826,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Average Grant Size: ~$91,000 (based on 2023 data)
  • Total Assets: $28.1 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis-St. Paul area

Contact Details

Address: 750 S 2nd St, Apt 802, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2373

Phone: 612-327-5944

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Lenzmeier Family Foundation was established in February 2004 as a private independent foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With assets of $28.1 million as of 2024, the foundation made $1.92 million in charitable disbursements in 2024. Led by Allen and Kathleen Lenzmeier, the foundation operates as a traditional family foundation that makes grants to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has maintained consistent grant-making activity, distributing approximately 20-22 awards annually in recent years. The Lenzmeiers are known philanthropists in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with documented support for arts organizations and higher education institutions. The foundation's revenue comes primarily from investment income, including dividends and asset sales, along with charitable contributions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Lenzmeier Family Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with designated funding streams. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations.

Application Method: Invitation only - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Priority Areas

While the foundation has not published an official mission statement, analysis of the trustees' known philanthropic interests suggests focus areas that may include:

  • Arts & Culture: The Lenzmeiers have demonstrated significant support for theater organizations in Minneapolis, including Theater Latté Da (at the $25,000+ level) and Jungle Theater
  • Higher Education: Notable support for Minnesota State University, Mankato, including an endowed chair in accounting
  • Visual Arts: Support for institutions such as the Minnesota Museum of American Art

Note: These priority areas are inferred from publicly available donor recognition lists and may not represent the complete scope of the foundation's grant-making activities.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, limiting grants to preselected charitable organizations only.

Governance and Leadership

Officers (as of most recent filing):

  • Allen Lenzmeier - President (zero compensation)
  • Kathleen Lenzmeier - Secretary/Treasurer (zero compensation)

Recognition: Allen and Kathleen Lenzmeier were honored as Honorees of the Year at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001, recognizing their philanthropic contributions to the institution.

The foundation operates with a lean administrative structure typical of family foundations, with the founding family members serving as unpaid officers and making all grant decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Lenzmeier Family Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly stated that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made at the trustees' discretion based on their own identification of charitable organizations to support.

Organizations cannot apply for funding through any formal application process, online portal, or letter of inquiry.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded by trustee discretion rather than through an application review process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept initial applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

This section is not applicable as the foundation does not accept applications. Organizations cannot proactively seek funding from this foundation.

For organizations that have received funding in the past, maintaining strong relationships and demonstrating effective use of previous grants would be important for potential continued support, though there is no formal reapplication process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation is not a viable funding prospect for organizations seeking to submit grant applications
  • Invitation Only: All grants are made to preselected organizations at the trustees' discretion
  • Family Foundation Model: Operates as a traditional private family foundation with family members making all funding decisions
  • Consistent Grant-Making: Despite being invitation-only, the foundation maintains steady grant activity with 18-22 awards annually
  • Minnesota Focus: Based on trustees' known philanthropic activities, the foundation appears to support Minnesota-based organizations, particularly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
  • Arts & Education Interest: Publicly available information suggests potential interest in arts organizations and higher education, though this is not a complete picture of grant-making activities
  • Not a Prospect for Cold Outreach: Organizations should not spend time attempting to contact this foundation for funding unless they have an existing relationship with the trustees

References

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