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Cummins Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.3M

Cummins Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $853,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $300,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Midwest)

Contact Details

Location: Plymouth, MN

Note: This foundation does not have publicly available contact information for grant inquiries, as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Cummins Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Plymouth, Minnesota, established and led by Robert and Joan Cummins. With assets of approximately $65 million as of 2023, the foundation distributed $853,000 in grants in 2023. The foundation focuses primarily on supporting Catholic religious institutions and Catholic education, particularly at the elementary and secondary levels. Leadership maintains a minimal time commitment (less than one hour per week for key officers), suggesting a highly focused, relationship-driven approach to grant-making. The foundation operates on a preselected grantee model, funding only organizations already known to the trustees. Geographic reach extends across multiple states including Minnesota, North Dakota, California, and other regions with significant Catholic institutional presence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs. All funding is distributed at trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

2023 Grant Distribution:

  • 5 grants totaling $853,000
  • Median grant: $200,000
  • Range: $50,000 - $300,000

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant-making patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Catholic Education: Support for Catholic schools and educational institutions (e.g., Hope Academy, Hope Farm School)
  • Campus Ministry: University Newman Centers and Catholic campus outreach (e.g., St. Paul's Newman Center - NDSU)
  • Catholic Parishes: Support for local Catholic churches (e.g., Church of the Epiphany)
  • Religious Communities: Support for religious orders (e.g., Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart)
  • General Operations: Grants typically support general operating expenses rather than specific programs or projects

Geographic Pattern: While based in Minnesota, the foundation has supported organizations in North Dakota, California, and throughout the Midwest.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not provide information about exclusions, but based on their grant history:

  • Organizations outside the Catholic faith tradition appear to receive minimal or no funding
  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from any organization

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (all volunteer, minimal compensation):

  • Robert Cummins, President (0.25 hours/week)
  • Joan Cummins, Treasurer (0.25 hours/week)
  • Dudley Ryan, Director (0.5 hours/week)

The extremely limited time commitment (totaling less than 1 hour per week across all three board members) indicates that grant-making decisions are likely based on personal relationships and long-standing connections to beneficiary organizations rather than formal application review processes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

According to foundation disclosures: "The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have selected, typically based on pre-existing relationships with Catholic institutions and educational organizations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion without a formal application or decision cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Seeking Support from This Foundation:

Given the closed application process, organizations cannot directly apply. However, understanding the foundation's giving pattern is valuable:

  1. Catholic Identity is Central: All recent grants have gone to Catholic institutions - churches, schools, campus ministries, and religious orders. Organizations outside this tradition are unlikely to be considered.

  2. Preference for Education and Formation: The majority of grants support educational institutions and campus ministry programs focused on young people and faith formation.

  3. General Operating Support Model: The foundation provides unrestricted support for general operations rather than funding specific projects or programs.

  4. Geographic Diversity: While Minnesota-based, the foundation supports Catholic institutions across multiple states, suggesting the trustees have connections to Catholic communities beyond their home state.

  5. Stable, Multi-Year Relationships Likely: With only 5 grants distributed in 2023, the foundation appears to maintain deep relationships with a small number of beneficiaries rather than distributing many smaller grants.

  6. Personal Connection Required: The minimal time investment from trustees suggests decisions are made based on personal knowledge and relationships rather than competitive evaluation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant-seeking methods
  • Catholic Mission Essential: 100% of recent grants support Catholic religious and educational institutions
  • Relationship-Driven Model: With only 5 grants per year and minimal trustee time investment, all funding goes to organizations personally known to the Cummins family
  • Substantial Grant Sizes: When the foundation does fund organizations, grants range from $50,000 to $300,000 - significant support for selected beneficiaries
  • General Operating Focus: Grants support overall organizational operations rather than specific programs
  • Not a Target for Cold Outreach: Organizations without existing connections to the Cummins family should not invest time pursuing this funder
  • Pattern Recognition Value: Understanding their giving can help identify other potential funders with similar interests in Catholic education and religious institutions

References

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