Driscoll Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so an organisation that has not been invited to apply should not send one.
- Its typical grants fall between $1,000 and $40,000, with about 8 in 10 of its 275 grants in that range and a median of $5,000, so a modest request near that level fits its usual pattern, though its largest grant was $100,000.
- Repeat giving is strong: 93% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in its recent filings, so relationships are likely to matter a great deal.
- Its stated themes are education, social justice, environmental protection and the arts, and the filing shows grants mainly in Minnesota, Washington and Colorado, but no geographic focus is stated, so location is not a rule about who may be considered.
- The filing gives no timing for decisions, so avoid planning around any particular date.
Overview
Driscoll Foundation is a US private foundation based in ST Paul, MN.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (mnhs.org, nwaf.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Driscoll Foundation supports efforts around education, social justice and the environment, and focuses on supporting education, the arts and environmental protection efforts. Its grants go to schools and colleges, arts and cultural organisations, environmental and conservation groups, community organisations, public media and health organisations. The purposes recorded include annual funds, operating support, capital campaigns, community education and research. Together, these grants show giving across educational, cultural, environmental, community and health organisations rather than a single type of recipient or project.
Themes
- Education
- Social justice
- Environmental protection
- Arts
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Minnesota, Washington and Colorado.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 93% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 275 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 4%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 10% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to organisations Driscoll Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 12% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 82 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $5,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Neighborhood House · The hope in action capital campaign$100,0002024 tax year
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation · Slade perennial garden, driscoll family overlook and is a 4-year pledge$100,0002024 tax year
- Friends of the Mississippi River · Capital campaign$65,0002024 tax year
- Dodge Nature Center · The capital campaign and is a 5-year pledge of $250,000$50,0002024 tax year
- MultiCare Health Foundation · Mary bridge childrens hospital capital project$50,0002024 tax year
- Yale University · Ypas program general support$50,0002024 tax year
- Saint Paul Academy and Summit School · Capital campaign$50,0002024 tax year
- Saint Paul Academy and Summit School · Imagining our future campaign pledge of $150,000 over three years$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Elizabeth D Hlavka — President / Director
- William L Driscoll — Director
- Margaret L Driscoll — Director
- John B Driscoll — Director
- Jeff R Tolzin — Secretary / Treasurer
- Elizabeth S Driscoll — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,401,771 | $1,210,500 | $35,529,055 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,317,834 | $1,154,750 | $37,808,875 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,320,159 | $1,121,500 | $39,807,898 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Driscoll Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- ST Paul, MN
Applying to Driscoll Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- ST Paul, MN