Kopp Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2,967,518 (2024)
Total Assets: $65,506,471
Grant Range: $250 - $5,000
Average Grant: $15,803
Number of Awards: 211 (2024)
Decision Time: Within 2 weeks of quarterly board meeting
Geographic Focus: Minnesota
Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly board meetings

Contact Details

Address: 8500 Normandale Lake Blvd., Suite 475, Bloomington, MN 55437
Phone: (952) 841-0438
Email: foundation@koppfam.com
Website: https://koppfamilyfoundation.org/

Initial Contact: Lindsey Lang, President (for letters of inquiry)

Overview

The Kopp Family Foundation was established in 1986 by Lee and Barbara Kopp with an initial contribution of $70,000 in appreciated stock. Since inception, the foundation has distributed more than $65 million in grants, primarily to nonprofit organizations serving Minnesota communities. With current assets exceeding $65.5 million, the foundation awarded 211 grants totaling nearly $3 million in 2024. The foundation's mission centers on helping individuals achieve success through education, providing emergency assistance for those in need (food, shelter, transportation), and supporting nonprofits focused on youth development, women's issues, and care for the elderly. The foundation emphasizes responsiveness to changing community conditions while maintaining core mission principles, and prioritizes building long-term relationships with grantees through consistent year-over-year support. Lee and Barbara Kopp earned national recognition as Benefactor of the Year from the Council for Resource Development, particularly for their transformative support of community colleges and working-class students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation accepts proposals on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines. The board meets quarterly to review applications.

General Grantmaking

Grant Range: $250 - $5,000 (average: $15,803)
Types: General operations, program areas, and capital campaigns
Application: Letter of inquiry followed by full proposal using Minnesota Common Grant Application format

Priority Areas

Education

Educational opportunity programs, particularly for working-class and non-traditional students
Community college support
Programs that help individuals succeed through education

Health and Human Services

Emergency assistance programs (food, shelter, transportation)
Services for individuals experiencing financial hardship

Affordable Housing

Programs supporting affordable housing initiatives in Minnesota

Youth Development

Programs encouraging youth development

Women's Issues

Organizations addressing issues affecting women

Elder Care

Programs supporting care and quality of life for the elderly

Funding Priority: The foundation gives priority to organizations with which they have an existing relationship, demonstrating their commitment to long-term partnerships.

What They Don't Fund

Individual scholarships or personal projects (all scholarships are granted through existing high school and post-secondary scholarship programs)
Organizations outside Minnesota
Organizations submitting more than one letter of inquiry or proposal per year

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Lindsey Lang - President and Administrator
Contact for initial letters of inquiry

Board of Directors:

Deborah A. Kopp - Director
Brian Kopp - Director

The foundation is managed by Kopp Family Office LLC. Key personnel serve without compensation.

Founders' Legacy

Lee and Barbara Kopp established the foundation in 1986, both coming from humble beginnings that gave them firsthand insight into financial hardship and the transformative value of education.

Lee Kopp (passed away October 2020) graduated from the University of Minnesota Business School and served in the U.S. Navy before founding Kopp Investment Advisors. He was known for his commitment to educational opportunity and community development.

Barbara Kopp (passed away February 2023) worked as an executive secretary in Washington, D.C., and shared Lee's dedication to philanthropy and community support.

Founders' Philosophy

Lee Kopp articulated the foundation's core philosophy: "I am where I am today because of the educational opportunity I had. If you can educate people, you are going to have a much stronger community..."

The foundation recognizes the need to be responsive to changing conditions within the community while adhering to the core principles of the mission, embodying values of generosity, kindness, respect for others, and commitment to community development.

Recognition

Lee and Barbara Kopp were named Benefactor of the Year by the Council for Resource Development (national award)
Minneapolis Community & Technical College named Lee and Barbara Kopp Hall in their honor in 2004, recognizing $2.3 million in contributions since 1995

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry
New organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry to Lindsey Lang before submitting a full proposal.

Step 2: Full Proposal
If invited to submit a full proposal, applications must include:

Minnesota Common Grant Application cover sheet
Program Narrative (maximum 5 pages) describing the program and area for which funding is sought
Complete Organizational Budget with projected revenues and expenses, including percentage allocated to direct program support
Volunteer Hours Breakdown showing number of volunteers used and hours donated in the previous year
Financial Statements - Balance sheet and detailed income statements as audited by an accountant for the past fiscal year (do NOT send IRS Form 990)
Contributor List - Complete list of foundation and corporate contributors for current and previous year
IRS 501(c)3 Determination Letter with federal tax ID number

Important: All materials must be submitted in hard copy format (no electronic submissions).

Application Limit: Only one letter of inquiry or proposal per organization per year will be considered.

Decision Timeline

Board Meetings: Quarterly
Review Process: All proposals and letters of inquiry are reviewed
Decision Notification: Within two weeks of the board meeting
No Deadlines: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Application Success Factors

Relationship Building
The foundation places high value on maintaining grant consistency year after year with grantees, indicating a strong preference for long-term partnerships. Priority is given to organizations with which the foundation has an existing relationship.

Alignment with Mission
Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed program aligns with the foundation's core focus areas: education, emergency assistance, youth development, women's issues, or elder care. The foundation values programs that create educational opportunity and provide financial stability for those experiencing hardship.

Minnesota Focus
All funded programs must serve individuals in Minnesota. Geographic restriction is strictly applied.

Efficient Operations
Given the requirement to specify percentage allocated to direct program support and volunteer hours, the foundation appears to value organizations that demonstrate efficient use of resources and community engagement.

Complete Applications
Applications must include all required components in the specified format (hard copy, Minnesota Common Grant Application format). Incomplete applications may delay review.

Realistic Funding Requests
With a typical grant range of $250-$5,000 and an average grant of approximately $15,800, organizations should request amounts appropriate to the foundation's giving patterns. The foundation funds general operations, specific programs, and capital campaigns.

Values Alignment
The Kopps believed deeply in education as a transformative force and in supporting those facing financial hardship. Applications that reflect these values—particularly those serving working-class individuals or providing pathways out of poverty through education—align well with the foundation's philosophy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Build relationships for long-term success - The foundation prioritizes ongoing partnerships with grantees, making relationship cultivation essential for sustained support
Keep requests realistic - With grants typically ranging from $250-$5,000, tailor your request to match the foundation's giving patterns
Emphasize educational transformation - Lee Kopp's quote about education creating stronger communities reflects the foundation's core belief; demonstrate how your program creates educational opportunity
Demonstrate efficiency - Be prepared to show volunteer engagement, direct program support percentages, and responsible stewardship of resources
Focus on Minnesota impact - All programs must serve Minnesota residents; clearly articulate local impact
Plan for quarterly cycles - With quarterly board meetings and 2-week notification timelines, expect a 6-10 week decision process depending on when your application is received
Follow the format precisely - Use the Minnesota Common Grant Application format and submit hard copies with all required documentation; incomplete applications delay review
Align with values of generosity and community - The foundation embodies the Kopps' commitment to kindness, respect, and giving back; demonstrate how your organization shares these values

References

Kopp Family Foundation Official Website. "What We Do." https://koppfamilyfoundation.org/what-we-do/ (Accessed January 6, 2026)
Kopp Family Foundation. "Who We Are." https://koppfamilyfoundation.org/about/ (Accessed January 6, 2026)
Kopp Family Foundation. "Remembering Lee & Barbara Kopp - A Life of Generosity." https://koppfamilyfoundation.org/a-life-of-generosity/ (Accessed January 6, 2026)
Instrumentl. "Kopp Family Foundation | Bloomington, MN | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/kopp-family-foundation (Accessed January 6, 2026)
Cause IQ. "Kopp Family Foundation | Bloomington, MN." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/kopp-family-foundation,363485918/ (Accessed January 6, 2026)
Minneapolis Community & Technical College. "The Legacy of LeRoy 'Lee' Kopp." https://minneapolis.edu/news/legacy-leroy-lee-kopp (Accessed January 6, 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Kopp Family Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363485918 (Accessed January 6, 2026)
Quote from Lee Kopp: "I am where I am today because of the educational opportunity I had. If you can educate people, you are going to have a much stronger community..." (Source: Kopp Family Foundation memorial page)