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Wem 2000 Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.1M

Wem 2000 Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,100,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Data suggests variable amounts, averaging ~$340,000 per award
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 5628, Minneapolis, MN 55440-5628
Phone: (952) 674-2850
Website: None
Email: Not publicly available

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or advertised contact information for grant applications.

Overview

The Wem 2000 Foundation was established in September 2000 as a private independent foundation under Section 501(c)(3). The foundation operates as a supporting organization with the specific mission to assist in carrying out the charitable purposes of public charities located in Minnesota, with particular emphasis on the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation. Since 2016, the foundation has awarded 35 individual grants totaling $21,678,347. In 2023 alone, the foundation distributed $4.1 million across 12 grants.

The foundation is governed by trustees including Elizabeth S. MacMillan (Betty MacMillan), wife of the late Whitney MacMillan, former CEO of Cargill; Heather A. Dorsey; and Sonny F. Miller. The foundation maintains a low public profile, consistent with the MacMillan family's philanthropic approach. While the related WEM Foundation closed in December 2023 after spending down approximately $500 million in assets, the Wem 2000 Foundation continues to operate as an active grant-making entity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wem 2000 Foundation does not operate traditional grant programs with defined funding tiers. Based on available data:

  • 2023: 12 grants totaling $4,100,000 (average: ~$341,667 per grant)
  • 2022: 7 grants (amounts not publicly specified)
  • 2021: 8 grants (amounts not publicly specified)

The foundation's grants appear to vary significantly in size depending on the recipient organization and project needs.

Priority Areas

The foundation's stated purpose is to support Minnesota-based public charities, with documented focus on:

  • Legal services and justice initiatives (primary beneficiary: Dorsey & Whitney Foundation)
  • Youth development and social services (including Plymouth Christian Youth Center)
  • Women's empowerment and equity (including The Women's Foundation of Minnesota)
  • Food security and hunger relief (including Every Meal)
  • Cultural, civic, educational, and social welfare causes in Minnesota communities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, based on the foundation's charter:

  • Organizations located outside of Minnesota
  • Projects that do not align with the charitable purposes of their primary beneficiary organizations
  • For-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Elizabeth S. MacMillan (Betty MacMillan) - Trustee
Betty MacMillan is the widow of Whitney MacMillan, former CEO of Cargill, who passed away in 2020. Together, they established the WEM Foundation, which operated for more than three decades before spending down its assets and closing in December 2023. Betty continues her philanthropic work through the Wem 2000 Foundation.

Heather A. Dorsey - Trustee
Listed as Principal Officer of the foundation. The connection to the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation (a primary beneficiary) suggests involvement with the legal community's philanthropic efforts.

Sonny F. Miller - Trustee
Board member role as of recent filings.

The foundation maintains the low-profile approach characteristic of MacMillan family philanthropy, focusing on substantive impact rather than public recognition.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Wem 2000 Foundation does not have a public application process.

This foundation operates as a supporting organization that identifies and supports Minnesota-based public charities at the discretion of its trustees. Like the related WEM Foundation (which operated with an invite-only process and never maintained a website or application program), the Wem 2000 Foundation makes grants based on trustee decisions rather than through a competitive application process.

Grants are typically awarded to organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships or knowledge, or which align with the foundation's stated purpose of supporting specific public charities like the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Grants appear to be awarded throughout the year based on trustee meetings and decisions.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

Alignment with Primary Beneficiaries: The foundation's charter explicitly mentions the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation as a primary beneficiary. Organizations that align with the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation's mission (cultural, civic, educational, and social welfare causes, particularly legal services to the disadvantaged) may be more likely to benefit.

Minnesota Focus: All beneficiary organizations must be located in Minnesota, as stated in the foundation's mission.

Established Track Record: Known recipients appear to be established organizations with proven programs rather than new or startup initiatives.

Connection to Trustee Networks: Given the foundation's structure and the backgrounds of its trustees, organizations connected to the legal community, Cargill legacy networks, or Minnesota civic leadership circles may have indirect pathways to support.

Modest Public Profile Acceptable: The foundation itself maintains minimal public presence, suggesting they support organizations focused on mission delivery rather than those requiring high-profile funders.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation operates on an invitation-only or trustee-discretion basis, similar to the approach used by the now-closed WEM Foundation
  • Minnesota location is mandatory - The foundation's charter restricts support to Minnesota-based public charities
  • Focus on established organizations - Based on grant patterns, the foundation appears to support proven organizations rather than new initiatives
  • Dorsey & Whitney Foundation connection is significant - Organizations aligned with legal services, cultural, civic, educational, and social welfare causes may be most relevant
  • Low-profile approach - The foundation maintains minimal public presence and does not seek publicity for its grant-making
  • Relationship-based funding - Given the trustees' backgrounds and the foundation's structure, existing relationships and networks appear central to funding decisions
  • Limited publicly available information - Detailed grant recipient lists and specific funding priorities are not readily accessible without reviewing IRS Form 990 filings

References

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