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Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation

Annual Giving
$60.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $4.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $60.5 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (awards 271 grants annually)
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months per cycle
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $4,000,000 (most grants under $500,000)
  • Geographic Focus: St. Croix Valley region of Minnesota and Wisconsin

Contact Details

Address: Bayport, Minnesota
Phone: (651) 583-8485
Email: info@fkandersen.org
Website: https://www.fredckatherinebandersenfoundation.org/
Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=andersen

Overview

Established in 1959 by Fred C. Andersen (president of Andersen Corporation) and his wife Katherine (who served on the company board for 50 years), the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation is a major regional funder with assets exceeding $1.67 billion. The foundation's mission is to provide resources to nonprofit organizations that build thriving communities and improve quality of life primarily in the St. Croix Valley geographic region of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Operating on three annual grant cycles, the foundation distributed $60.5 million through 271 grants in 2024, supporting a broad range of causes including healthcare, housing, education, human services, civic projects, and environmental initiatives. The foundation maintains a strong commitment to its existing grant partners while selectively adding new organizations to its funding portfolio.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a unified grant program with three annual cycles rather than separate program streams. Grants range from $5,000 to $4 million, though most fall between $100,000 and $250,000. Applications are accepted online through the foundation's grant portal on a fixed deadline basis.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on six key areas:

  • Healthcare: Medical research, mental health and chemical dependency services, hospitals and clinical facilities
  • Housing: Affordable housing initiatives for families and seniors
  • Education: Youth education programs and initiatives
  • Human Services: Basic needs support, food security, employment assistance, and services for vulnerable populations
  • Civic: Local community projects and initiatives that strengthen community fabric
  • Environmental: Environmental education programs and conservation efforts

Recent grant recipients include Regions Hospital Foundation, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Family Gateway (homelessness services), Hadley School for the Blind, YMCA of Greater St. Paul, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, and Philadelphia Community Farm.

What They Don't Fund

  • Endowments
  • Individuals
  • Political campaigns
  • Sponsorships
  • Lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that evaluates grant applications alongside staff. The foundation maintains a relatively private governance structure with limited public disclosure of board member names. The foundation employs professional staff to manage grantmaking operations, with the Program Officer noted by applicants as accessible and willing to provide honest feedback about organizational fit and funding potential.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications exclusively through its online portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=andersen. The application has been recently updated and simplified. The foundation operates three distinct grant cycles annually:

Opening DateDeadlineResults Announced
February 1March 30June
May 1June 30September
August 1September 30December

Important Application Notes:

  • No late applications can be accepted
  • Previous grantees should register in the portal and apply through the online application process
  • New applicants must confirm eligibility by answering questions about organizational priorities and service areas

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors and staff over approximately 2-3 months following each deadline. Results are provided via email. Checks are generally sent within one month of award notification.

Success Rates

The foundation awards approximately 271 grants annually. While specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed, the foundation acknowledges that "with considerable ongoing obligations to existing grant partners, they are limited in their ability to fund new organizations' requests." According to applicant feedback, "they are not taking many new grantees, but sometimes can roll new ones into their rota as others drop off," suggesting a competitive environment particularly for first-time applicants.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy. However, applicant reviews indicate that unsuccessful applicants "can go back and ask why your application was not funded," and the Program Officer is described as willing to provide honest feedback about organizational fit and potential for future funding.

Application Success Factors

The foundation's evaluation criteria focus on specific, measurable factors:

Mission Alignment: The Board of Directors and staff evaluate whether the organization or project "addresses a specific need or opportunity" and whether "the use of funds align with the mission of the Foundation."

Geographic Prioritization: While the foundation "may give consideration to organizations outside of the geographic footprint if they are delivering services that address a funding priority," applicants should emphasize services delivered within St. Croix Valley communities (Washington and eastern Ramsey County in Minnesota; Polk, St. Croix, and Pierce counties in Wisconsin). The foundation explicitly requests that applicants "use specific data on services within the eligible region" and "provide service numbers specific to that geographic region."

Clear Project Description: Applications should include "clearly summarized activities" that demonstrate how funds will be used and the specific community impact expected.

Submit Early: According to applicant feedback, "the foundation administrator is very accessible, but she appreciates applications submitted far in advance of the cycle deadline."

Pre-Application Contact: The foundation encourages applicants to "reach out with questions at any time." The Program Officer is described as "very nice and happy to have a conversation" and "will give an honest indication of match and potential."

Types of Support: The foundation "welcomes requests for general operations, programs, or projects. Capital requests may be considered on a more limited basis," suggesting a preference for operational and programmatic funding over capital campaigns.

New Applicant Considerations: First-time applicants should be aware that the foundation has "considerable ongoing obligations to existing grant partners" and limited capacity for new grantees. Organizations with the strongest geographic alignment and clear demonstration of addressing foundation priorities will have the best chances.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is critical: Emphasize services delivered within the St. Croix Valley core region and provide specific data on beneficiaries within Washington/eastern Ramsey counties (MN) or Polk/St. Croix/Pierce counties (WI)
  • Favor operational and programmatic requests: While capital requests are considered, the foundation shows preference for general operations and program funding
  • Submit applications well before deadlines: The foundation administrator values early submissions and may provide guidance if contacted in advance
  • Be realistic about competitiveness for new applicants: With 271 annual grants and strong commitments to existing partners, new organizations face selective consideration
  • Clearly articulate community need: Frame proposals around specific needs or opportunities the organization addresses, with measurable outcomes
  • Consider pre-application outreach: The Program Officer is accessible and willing to provide honest feedback about organizational fit before formal submission
  • Payment is prompt: Once approved, grants are typically disbursed within one month of notification

References

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