Buuck Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,000,000 (2023)
• Number of Awards: 31 grants (2023)
• Average Grant Size: Approximately $32,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Minnesota, Arizona, and California (where family members reside)
• Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited requests

Contact Details

Website: https://buuckfamilyfoundation.org/

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information for grant applications as they only fund preselected organizations.

Overview

The Buuck Family Foundation was established in 1994 by Robert (Bob) and Gail Buuck to formalize their lifelong commitment to community service and philanthropy. Bob was co-founder of American Medical Systems, a medical device company in Minnesota, while Gail was a former elementary school teacher. The foundation is now led by the founders and their three children—David, John, and Katherine—who serve on the board and continue the founding vision. In 2023, the foundation distributed $1,000,000 across 31 grants to organizations in regions where family members live, primarily Minnesota, Arizona, and California. The foundation's mission is to support organizations and initiatives that provide opportunities and resources for individuals to reach their unlimited potential, with a vision of creating "a society that recognizes the unlimited potential of all individuals."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, it makes grants to preselected charitable organizations based on trustee discretion and existing relationships. Grants in 2023 averaged approximately $32,000, though specific grant ranges are not publicly disclosed.

Priority Areas

The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in three primary areas:

1. Community Wellness

• Housing stabilization programs
• Healthy food sustainability initiatives
• Breaking generational poverty cycles
• Job training programs
• Empowering people with knowledge and resources for healthy living

2. Education Equity

• Educational programs supporting people with physical disabilities
• Financial aid and scholarships for individuals with physical disabilities
• Early childhood development and education for at-risk children and families
• Selected higher education scholarships (by invitation only)

3. Environmental Sustainability

• Natural habitat restoration programs
• Climate change initiatives
• Ecosystem sustainability efforts

The foundation's guiding philosophy is captured in the quote: "Human potential is the only limitless resource we have in this world." - Carly Fiorina

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Founders: Robert E. Buuck and Gail P. Buuck

Current Trustees:

• Robert E. Buuck (Founder; passed away January 4, 2025)
• Gail P. Buuck (Founder)
• David Buuck (Son)
• John Buuck (Son)
• Katherine Buuck (Daughter)

The foundation was founded on principles of community service, with Bob and Gail being raised with "a deep commitment to sharing one's gifts and actively giving back to one's community." The three children currently serve on the board and are invested in continuing this founding vision.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations with which the family has established relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model rather than formal application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as they are not accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, the foundation's website and public materials reveal what they value:

Alignment with Core Values: The foundation emphasizes four core values in their work:

• Community
• Compassion
• Opportunity
• Integrity

Focus on Potential and Empowerment: Based on their stated mission, the foundation seeks to support organizations that "provide opportunities and resources for individuals to reach their unlimited potential, thereby improving quality of life in families, schools, communities and beyond."

Regional Connection: The foundation concentrates its grantmaking "in the regions where the family members live," suggesting geographic proximity to Minnesota, Arizona, or California is important.

Impact Partner Examples: Organizations the foundation has supported include:

• Minnesota: Loaves & Fishes, Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Public Radio, The Minneapolis Foundation, The Guthrie Theater, Second Harvest Heartland, Bridging
• Arizona: McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, André House, Bridging Arizona Furniture Bank
• California: San Francisco Foundation, Mount Tamalpais College, Small Press Traffic, Alameda County Community Food Bank, California Community Foundation

These organizations align with the foundation's three priority areas and demonstrate tangible impact in empowering individuals and strengthening communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Invitation-only model: Organizations are preselected based on relationships with the Buuck family and alignment with their values
• Three core funding areas: Community Wellness, Education Equity, and Environmental Sustainability
• Geographic focus: Grants concentrate in Minnesota, Arizona, and California where family members reside
• Empowerment philosophy: The foundation seeks to support organizations that help individuals "reach their unlimited potential"
• Recent activity: In 2023, the foundation made 31 grants totaling $1,000,000, averaging approximately $32,000 per award
• Multi-generational leadership: The next generation (David, John, and Katherine Buuck) is actively involved in continuing the founders' vision

References

• Buuck Family Foundation Official Website. https://buuckfamilyfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Buuck Family Foundation Areas of Giving. https://buuckfamilyfoundation.org/?page_id=32 (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Buuck Family Foundation Impact Partners. https://buuckfamilyfoundation.org/?page_id=2 (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Buuck Family Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/411796911 (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Buuck Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/buuck-family-foundation,411796911/ (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Instrumentl - Buuck Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/buuck-family-foundation (Accessed January 18, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - Buuck Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/411796911-buuck-family-foundation/ (Accessed January 18, 2026)