Chorzempa Family Foundation
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,166,000
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: $5,000 - $150,000
- Geographic Focus: Minnesota, District of Columbia, Colorado
Contact Details
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Website: None identified
Overview
The Chorzempa Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1997 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With total assets of approximately $29.2 million and annual giving exceeding $1.1 million, the foundation operates as a family-driven philanthropic organization supporting diverse causes across multiple states. The foundation has demonstrated consistent growth in its charitable activities, making 41 grants in 2024 compared to 17 in previous years, indicating an expanding commitment to philanthropic impact.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000, with recent notable grants including:
- Crisis and Emergency Relief: $150,000 (Convoy of Hope - Feed the World Fund)
- Substance Abuse Recovery: $100,000 (Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge)
- Education: $50,000 (University of Minnesota Foundation)
- General operating support and capital projects
Priority Areas
- International emergency relief and crisis support
- Education and scholarships
- Human services
- Substance abuse recovery programs
- Food security and hunger relief
- Faith-based organizations
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions not publicly documented
Governance and Leadership
President: Martin D Chorzempa
Senior Vice President: Patricia Heiser
Vice President/Treasurer: Martin A Chorzempa
Vice President/Secretary: Nick Heiser
Director: Jonah Heiser
The foundation appears to be managed entirely by family members, with officers receiving modest compensation of approximately $4,500 annually.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the foundation's board based on pre-existing relationships and trustee recommendations.
Getting on Their Radar
As a private family foundation without a public application process, organizations seeking support would need to establish connections through:
- Board member networks in the Minneapolis area
- Introductions through current grantees
- Connections within the Minnesota philanthropic community
Decision Timeline
Not publicly available
Success Rates
Application statistics not publicly available as grants are made by invitation only
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable due to invitation-only status
Application Success Factors
Based on their giving patterns, the foundation appears to favor:
- Organizations with strong track records in crisis response and human services
- Educational institutions, particularly in Minnesota
- Faith-based organizations with community impact
- Programs addressing immediate human needs (food, shelter, recovery)
- Organizations with established reputations and measurable outcomes
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The Chorzempa Family Foundation operates as a private, invitation-only funder without a public application process
- Focus areas include crisis relief, education, and human services with a geographic preference for Minnesota-based organizations
- Grant sizes range significantly ($5,000-$150,000), suggesting flexibility based on project needs
- The foundation has increased its grant-making activity significantly in recent years (from 17 to 41 grants)
- Building relationships with board members or current grantees would be essential for consideration
- The foundation supports both large established organizations and smaller community-based programs
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Chorzempa Family Foundation Profile (accessed December 31, 2025)
- CauseIQ - Chorzempa Family Foundation Overview (accessed December 31, 2025)
- Instrumentl 990 Report - Chorzempa Family Foundation (accessed December 31, 2025)