The Barry Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Barry Foundation accepts no unsolicited requests and makes its grants only to organisations it has preselected, so a small charity should approach it only if it has already been invited or has a relationship that could lead to an invitation.
- Its stated geographic focus is Fargo-Moorhead and northwestern Minnesota, and its described work centres on youth, philanthropy and student-led grantmaking, so a request fits best where those match.
- About 8 in 10 of its 913 grants to organisations fall between $500 and $5,000, with a median of $1,000, so a modest request in that range sits within what it typically gives.
- In its latest filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, which suggests existing relationships carry real weight.
- Organisations that have not been invited should not spend time preparing a request.
Overview
The Barry Foundation is a US private foundation based in Fargo, ND.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (blogs.und.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Barry Foundation describes its mission as promoting proactive philanthropy. Through PaY and The Barry Scholarship Program, it educates and supports young people to carry the spirit of philanthropy into their careers and goals. Philanthropy and Youth introduces local high-school students to leadership and service through philanthropic research and grantmaking, with students directing grants to organisations. Its PaY Summer Internship grants go to nonprofit organisations in the Fargo-Moorhead and north-western Minnesota region. The Barry Scholarship programme provides renewable awards to people who participated in PaY during high school. Its described work centres on youth, philanthropy, student-led grantmaking and PaY-linked educational support.
Themes
- Youth philanthropy
- Scholarships
Geographic Focus
Fargo-Moorhead; northwestern Minnesota.
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 83% 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 913 grants to organisations were $1,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 14% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations The Barry Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Canada).
- 5% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 320 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $1,450 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation · Education: Capital Campaign - TRPLF Auditorium$335,0002024 tax year
- Venn Foundation · Education: Summit Academy Dental Assistant Program PRI (DAF)$197,5002024 tax year
- Young Life Castaway Club · Spirituality: Capital Campaign - Phase 2 Building$150,0002024 tax year
- JPII Catholic Schools · Education: Match for Deacon Builders Scholarship Endowment$140,0002024 tax year
- Mayo Foundation · Health: Capital Campaign - Arizona. Bold. Forward. Ambulatory Infusion Center$100,0002024 tax year
- Ottertail County Humane Society · Environment: Expanding Our Pawprint Campaign$100,0002024 tax year
- Simpson Housing Services · Health: Music for Shelter and Programming$25,0002024 tax year
- Ann Bancroft Foundation · Education: Annual Event and Programming$25,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Stacie M Montgomery — COO & CFO
- Dean C Hoffrogge — Treasurer
- Marty J Hoffmann — President, CEO, Secretary & Director
- Paula Trom — Director
- Jessica M Barry — Vice Chair & Director
- Dana R Johnson — Director
- Michael B Barry — Chair & Director
- B John Barry — Chairman Emeritus & Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $2,519,875 | $1,598,300 | $45,065,627 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,571,385 | $1,392,400 | $49,183,702 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,178,567 | $1,766,350 | $54,902,011 | 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 The Barry Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Fargo, ND
Applying to The Barry Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Fargo, ND