Lenzmeier Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation is by invitation only and states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small charity should not send it a cold proposal and should instead look for a warm introduction or existing connection.
- Its grants are general operating support to youth, arts, education, social-service, human-rights and environmental organisations, and no geographic focus is stated, though most of its grants go to Minnesota.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants to organisations fall between $20,000 and $175,000, with a median of $70,000, but its largest grant was $400,000, so that band is typical rather than a limit.
- Repeat giving is high, with 80% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a newcomer should expect a competitive, relationship-led process.
Overview
Lenzmeier Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Minneapolis, MN.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation's recorded grants provide general operating support to a varied group of charitable organisations. Recipients include youth-serving organisations, arts and cultural institutions, schools and universities, social-service organisations, human-rights organisations, and environmental groups. Its grants are concentrated in Minnesota, with a small share of recorded giving reaching California. The filings describe grants as general operating support rather than identifying particular projects or programme priorities. The recipient mix spans community services, education, arts and culture, health-related work, human rights and environmental conservation, across a range of charitable activities.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Minnesota.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 80% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 64 grants to organisations were $70,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 16% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 80% of grant dollars went to organisations Lenzmeier Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 2% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 22 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $60,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities · General operating$308,0002024 tax year
- Minnesota Orchestra · General operating$250,0002024 tax year
- PACER Center · General operating$175,0002024 tax year
- Minneapolis Parks Foundation · General operating$132,5002024 tax year
- Northside Achievement Zone · General operating$125,0002024 tax year
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis · General operating$105,0002024 tax year
- Ascension Catholic School · General operating$100,0002024 tax year
- MacPhail Center for Music · General operating$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Kathleen Lenzmeier — Secretary / Tresurer
- Allen Lenzmeier — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $2,710,954 | $1,917,000 | $37,326,659 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,135,882 | $1,826,000 | $41,613,760 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,527,081 | $1,913,500 | $47,990,236 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Lenzmeier Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Minneapolis, MN
Applying to Lenzmeier Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Minneapolis, MN