Andersen Corporate Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,116,500 (most recent year)
• Total Assets: $48,723,140
• Success Rate: Approximately 150+ grants awarded annually
• Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (board meetings in March, July, November)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000
• Typical Grants: $5,000 - $20,000
• Geographic Focus: Minnesota (Twin Cities metro and St. Croix Valley), Wisconsin (Polk and St. Croix Counties), and other Andersen operational locations nationwide

Contact Details

Address: White Pine Building, 342 5th Avenue N, Suite 200, Bayport, MN 55003-1201

Phone: (651) 439-1557

Email: ACF@andersencorp.com

Program Officer: Chloette Haley

Website: https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/community/

Note: As of recent updates, Andersen corporate giving is by invitation only in some locations. Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a brief preliminary inquiry before submitting a full application.

Overview

The Andersen Corporate Foundation was established in 1941 as the charitable arm of Andersen Windows and Doors. Over its 80+ year history, the foundation has donated more than $74 million to nonprofit organizations. With total assets of approximately $48.7 million and annual grant distributions exceeding $2 million, the foundation focuses on improving lives and strengthening communities where Andersen employees live and work. The foundation's mission emphasizes providing community, social, and support services with special focus on affordable housing, health and safety, education and youth development, human services, and civic support. In 2024 alone, Andersen and its corporate foundation donated more than $5.3 million to nonprofits. The foundation operates through employee committees at multiple U.S. locations, enabling local teams to make funding decisions that reflect community priorities. Chris Galvin, Andersen's CEO and Chairman of the Board, serves as president of the foundation's board of directors and has emphasized the company's commitment to giving back to communities where employees live and work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers three types of grants:

General Operating and Program/Project Grants: $5,000 - $50,000 (majority awarded between $5,000 - $20,000)

• Typically awarded for one year or less
• Support ongoing operations or specific programs aligned with foundation priorities
• Organizations may submit one request per year
• Applications accepted through online portal

Capital Grants: $50,000 - $250,000

• May be awarded for multi-year periods
• Typically only awarded to grantees who have previously received general operating or program/project funding
• Recent examples include $500,000 to Lakeview Health Foundation (2025) and $400,000 to Science Museum of Minnesota (2024)

Community Grants: $1,000 - $50,000

• Determined by local employee committees at Andersen operational locations
• Support organizations in specific communities where Andersen operates

Priority Areas

Housing (Primary Focus)

• Increasing housing access and stability
• Services to transition out of homelessness
• Transitional and supportive housing programs
• Programs that provide and maintain affordable housing
• According to CEO Chris Galvin: "As a leader in the building industry, we know how fundamental a safe, stable and affordable home is to the health, happiness and prosperity of families"

Health

• Advancing health access and equity
• Support for critical access hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers
• Mental health service providers
• Programs that expand access to preventative healthcare
• Recent example: $500,000 capital grant to Lakeview Health Foundation

Hunger Relief

• Addressing food insecurity and increasing food access
• Programs providing healthy and culturally relevant foods
• Recent example: $125,000 to Second Harvest Heartland for Make Hunger History initiative

Education

• K-12 youth development programs
• Vocational education, particularly programs related to home building
• Support for educational initiatives in communities where Andersen operates

Geographic Focus

Primary Region (Washington County, MN; Polk and St. Croix Counties, WI):

• Twin Cities metro area
• St. Croix Valley (eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin)
• Limited support to organizations serving Ramsey County, Minnesota

Other Andersen Operational Locations:

• Des Moines, Iowa
• Detroit, Michigan
• Dubuque, Iowa
• Garland, Texas
• Goodyear, Arizona
• Luray, Virginia
• Menomonie, Wisconsin
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

• Event or fundraiser sponsorships
• Direct support of specific individuals
• Purchase of Andersen or Renewal by Andersen windows or doors
• National research organizations
• Endowments
• Grants to individuals

Governance and Leadership

Board President: Chris Galvin

• President and Chief Executive Officer of Andersen Corporation (since 2023)
• Over 20 years with Andersen Corporation
• Also serves on boards of Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and First State Bank and Trust
• Chairman of Andersen Corporation Board of Directors (appointed 2025)

Program Officer: Chloette Haley

Operational Structure: The foundation works with employee committees at multiple U.S. locations, enabling local Andersen teams to make funding decisions that reflect community priorities and local needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Status: The application process has recently shifted. While the foundation historically accepted applications through an online portal, recent information indicates that Andersen corporate giving is now by invitation only in some locations. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to confirm current application procedures.

Preliminary Inquiry (Strongly Encouraged): Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a brief (one to three paragraph) description of their request in advance of a full application to receive staff feedback and guidance on whether the project falls within funding scope. The program officer is described as "extremely responsive" in providing quick feedback.

Required Documentation:

• Listing of additional sources and amounts of support
• Copy of current year's organizational budget and/or project budget
• Listing of board of directors
• Descriptive literature about organization
• List of company employees involved with the organization (if applicable)
• Copy of IRS Determination Letter
• Brief history of organization and mission description
• Signature and title of CEO
• Sustainability plan
• Implementation timeline
• Most recent annual report/audited financial statement/990

Application Deadlines: Historical deadlines have been February 15, June 15, and October 15, though recent communications indicate applications have typically been accepted in March and August. Contact the foundation to confirm current deadlines.

Decision Timeline

Board Meetings: March, July, and November

Typical Timeline: 8-12 weeks from application deadline to decision

Notification: Applicants are notified of decisions following board meetings

Note: Some grantee reviews indicate the timeline can be lengthy and the process may be opaque, though the foundation staff is responsive to inquiries.

Success Rates

Annual Awards:

• 2023: 159 grants awarded
• 2022: 156 grants awarded
• 2021: 128 grants awarded
• 2020: 144 grants awarded

Recent Grant Rounds:

• Spring 2025: Over $1.9 million to 92 organizations
• Fall 2024: Over $1.2 million to 64 organizations
• Spring 2024: Over $1.17 million to 87 organizations

The foundation awards 150+ grants annually, demonstrating consistent support for a substantial number of organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Annual Submissions: Organizations may submit one request per year

Multi-Year Relationship Building: Multi-year capital grants are typically only awarded to grantees who have previously received general operating or program/project funding, indicating the foundation values building relationships with organizations over time.

Reapplication After Rejection: No explicit waiting period is documented. Organizations are encouraged to contact the program officer for guidance on reapplication timing and how to strengthen future proposals.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Insights

Established Organizations Preferred: The Andersen Corporate Foundation "is not a risk taker; its grantees tend to be well established in communities they serve." The foundation supports organizations of all sizes but tends to stick with well-established grantee partners.

Local Employee Connection: According to grantee feedback, finding a senior Andersen employee to join your board and advocate for your funding request can significantly strengthen your application. The foundation values connections to Andersen employees and communities.

Employee Committee Input: Funding decisions in local areas are guided by committees of local Andersen employees, ensuring grantmaking supports areas of local priority. Understanding local Andersen employee priorities can help align your proposal.

Progressive Funding Relationship: Start with general operating or program/project grants before requesting larger capital grants. Multi-year capital commitments are "typically only awarded to grantees who have previously received general operating or program/project funding."

Geographic Alignment: Priority is given to organizations serving the Twin Cities metro area, St. Croix Valley, and other Andersen operational locations. Limited support is provided to organizations outside these areas.

Foundation Philosophy: CEO Chris Galvin has emphasized: "When you talk about what keeps me here, it is that philanthropy and giving back to the communities that we live and work in. It's important for our team members to understand how we give back." Proposals that demonstrate community impact where Andersen employees live and work align with this philosophy.

Pre-Application Contact: Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit preliminary inquiries. The program officer provides quick feedback on whether projects fall within funding scope, potentially saving time and improving application quality.

Grantee Experience: According to nonprofit feedback, the foundation is "absolutely wonderful to work with," "very open to all requests and diligent in their choices," and "open to speak with you at all times." This suggests an approachable, collaborative funding partner.

Recent Funding Examples

Housing: Solid Ground received $100,000 multi-year commitment for Building Strong Foundations campaign

Health: Lakeview Health Foundation received $500,000 for new hospital campus capital campaign

Education/Culture: Science Museum of Minnesota received $400,000 multi-year support for capital campaign

Hunger Relief: Second Harvest Heartland received $125,000 for Make Hunger History initiative

Community Health: Hope Clinic of Garland and Chippewa Valley Free Clinic received grants ranging from $5,000-$7,500

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Build the Relationship First: The foundation prefers established organizations and builds toward larger multi-year capital grants with partners who have received previous funding. Start with smaller general operating or program grants.

2. Connect with Andersen Employees: Local employee committees guide funding decisions. Having Andersen employees on your board or demonstrating connections to Andersen's workforce strengthens applications significantly.

3. Submit a Preliminary Inquiry: Don't skip this step. The foundation strongly encourages brief preliminary descriptions to receive staff feedback before submitting full applications. The program officer is "extremely responsive."

4. Geographic Alignment Matters: Priority areas include Twin Cities metro, St. Croix Valley (MN/WI), and other Andersen operational locations. Organizations outside these areas face more competition.

5. Align with Four Core Areas: Housing (especially affordable housing), health (especially access and equity), hunger relief (especially healthy food access), and education (especially K-12 youth development and vocational programs related to home building).

6. Demonstrate Community Impact: Emphasize how your work strengthens communities where Andersen employees live and work. The foundation's mission centers on improving lives in employee communities.

7. Be Patient and Persistent: While the process can be lengthy, the foundation is collaborative and approachable. Organizations describe them as "wonderful to work with" and "very helpful with the process."

References

1. Andersen Corporate Foundation - Cause IQ Profile. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/andersen-corporate-foundation,416020912/

2. Andersen Corporate Foundation - Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-a/andersen-corporate-foundation

3. Andersen Windows. (2025). "Andersen Corporate Foundation Announces $1.9 Million in Donations." Retrieved from https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/frame-maker/company-news/2025/aw-corp-foundation-announces-millions-in-donations

4. Andersen Windows. (2024). "Andersen Corporate Foundation Announces $1.2 Million in Grants." Retrieved from https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/frame-maker/company-news/2024/andersen-corporate-foundation-fall-2024-grant-announcement

5. Andersen Windows. "Community Involvement." Retrieved from https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/community

6. Andersen Windows. (2025). "Chris Galvin named Chairman of the Board of Directors." Retrieved from https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/frame-maker/company-news/2025/galvin-named-chairman-of-board-of-directors/

7. GrantAdvisor. "Andersen Corporate Foundation Reviews." Retrieved from https://grantadvisor.org/profile/41-6020912/andersen-corporate-foundation

8. Instrumentl. "Andersen Corporate Foundation Grants." Retrieved from https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/community-funding-non-headquarters-requests

9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Andersen Corporate Foundation - Form 990." Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/416020912

10. Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. "Chris Galvin Profile." Retrieved from https://spmcf.org/team/chris-galvin

All sources accessed March 2026.