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The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $5.0M
Decision Time
3mo

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $285.7 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $12.5 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months from proposal submission
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $5,000,000+ (multi-year)
  • Geographic Focus: Twin Cities metro area (Minneapolis and St. Paul), Minnesota

Contact Details

Address:
701 Carlson Parkway, Suite 1250
Minnetonka, MN 55305

Phone: 952-404-5605

Website: carlsonfamilyfoundation.org

Program Staff:

Overview

Founded in 1959 by entrepreneur Curtis L. Carlson and his wife Arleen, the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation (renamed from The Curtis L. Carlson Foundation in 1994) represents a four-generation commitment to Minnesota communities. With total assets of $285.7 million and annual giving of $12.5 million (2024), the foundation focuses on creating opportunities for every young person to realize their dreams. In 2023, the foundation awarded grants to 209 organizations totaling approximately $10.1 million. The foundation's approach emphasizes deep, long-term relationships with partners and community-driven solutions. Executive Director C. David Nelson describes their work as operating "at the intersection of love and insight," prioritizing how they collaborate, listen, and learn alongside community partners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Constellation: Out-of-School Programs
$10,000 - $200,000+ (single and multi-year grants available)
Supports youth programs emphasizing relationships between young people and caring adults, with particular focus on programs serving youth of color and helping youth develop agency, identity, and ability to pursue their goals.

Constellation: Parents & Caregivers
$10,000 - $200,000+ (single and multi-year grants available)
Funds programs providing training and resources to support parents and caregivers in youth development, equipping adults with effective practices and tools.

Sex Trafficking Prevention
$10,000 - $200,000+ (single and multi-year grants available)
Supports prevention programs with particular focus on boys, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth of color.

Vibrant Communities
By invitation only
Supports local community vibrancy initiatives for existing partners.

University of Minnesota and Carlson School of Management
$300,000 - $10,000,000+ (often multi-year)
The foundation has given more than $68 million to the University of Minnesota, making the Carlson family the largest individual donor in the university's history. Supports the Carlson School's commitment to "business as a force for good" and world-class student experiences.

Application Method: Two-stage process (Letter of Inquiry, then invited full proposals). Multi-year grants of up to three years accepted, though most grants are 1-2 years.

Priority Areas

  • Youth mentoring and out-of-school programs that build relationships with caring adults
  • Programs supporting parents and caregivers in youth development
  • Sex trafficking prevention focused on vulnerable youth populations
  • Education and leadership development
  • Programs serving youth of color and underserved communities
  • Minneapolis and St. Paul focus within Twin Cities metro area
  • Evidence-based, high-quality youth mentoring programs
  • Innovation and creativity within youth mentoring field

What They Don't Fund

  • Capital grants (accepted only in exceptional circumstances)
  • Organizations outside Minnesota
  • Programs not serving Twin Cities metro area
  • Organizations may submit LOIs to multiple priority areas but can only receive funding for one

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: C. David Nelson
Nelson emphasizes that "how we approach the work, how we listen and learn, how we collaborate with our partners, how we live our values" forms the foundation's core. He states: "We are beginning a new era at the Carlson Family Foundation as we work alongside the community to create opportunity, hope and a sense of belonging for every young person."

Trustees:
Wendy M. Nelson served as the first third-generation chairwoman from 2017 to 2023. The foundation is governed by a board of trustees that manages the foundation's assets.

Program Staff:

  • Aretha Green-Rupert, Program Director
  • Dana Jensen, Program Director
  • Javier Sampedro, Communications Director
  • Nicholas Schmidt, Senior Grants Manager

The foundation's leadership emphasizes making "heartfelt decisions based on a deep understanding of the research, the context, and the lived experiences of those they serve" and demonstrates commitment to continuous learning on equity issues.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT 2025 UPDATE: The foundation is not accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for 2025 funding requests. They are focusing on deepening collaboration and strengthening partnerships with current grantees. Current grantees may submit proposals directly without an LOI.

When Applications Are Open:
The foundation uses a two-stage submission process:

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) - Initial screening for new applicants
  2. Full Proposal - By invitation only

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) public charities or supporting organizations
  • Programs must serve Twin Cities metro area, with emphasis on Minneapolis and St. Paul
  • Organizations may submit to multiple priority areas but receive funding for only one

Proposal Deadlines (when accepting new applicants):

  • Check website in November each year for following year's opportunities
  • Historical deadlines: January 15, April 15, July 15

Decision Timeline

  • Proposal to decision: Approximately 3 months
  • Example: January 15 deadline → Board decision by end of April
  • Example: April 15 deadline → Board decision by end of July

Notifications are sent following board meetings.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded grants to 209 organizations in 2023 with total giving of approximately $10.1 million. Specific success rates (percentage of applications approved) are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for rejected applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations with questions are encouraged to contact program staff directly.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

Community-Driven Approach: The foundation seeks partners committed to community-driven solutions. Executive Director David Nelson states: "Our responsibility is to recognize and support community solutions in whatever way we can."

Equity Focus: Programs should address disparities and work toward outcomes "not defined by race or a zip code." The foundation is committed to continuous learning on equity issues and prioritizes programs serving youth of color.

Relationship-Based Programming: The Constellation priority emerged directly from community input recognizing that young people benefit from multiple caring adults. Programs should emphasize building caring adult relationships with youth.

Evidence of Quality and Excellence: Particularly for mentoring programs, the foundation looks for characteristics of high quality and demonstrated excellence. Recent funded examples include:

  • Friends of the Children – Twin Cities ($50,000): evidence-based, long-term professional mentoring model
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Beyond School Walls Program ($52,500): off-site mentoring for students from low-income households
  • Youth mentorship programs serving 2,300 youth annually ($350,000 multi-year)

Youth Voice Integration: The foundation actively seeks youth perspectives. During strategic planning, they incorporated input from young people about what support they need.

Long-Term Partnership Commitment: The foundation values "deeply rooted, long-term relationships" and recognizes that "impact takes time, sustained focus and continuous learning." They emphasize building trust, keeping promises, and deeply engaging with partners.

Innovation and Creativity: Particularly in youth mentoring, the foundation supports efforts that foster innovation and increase the number of adult mentors serving youth.

Values Alignment: The foundation emphasizes perseverance, listening, learning, and driving impact designed by and for community. As Nelson notes, they prioritize "the 'how' –– how we approach the work, how we listen and learn, how we collaborate."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Current grantees are prioritized – The foundation is not accepting new LOIs for 2025 as they deepen existing partnerships. Organizations seeking first-time funding should monitor the website starting in November for 2026 opportunities.

  • Relationship-building is central – The foundation emphasizes long-term partnerships over transactional grantmaking. They value "listening first and then partner, adapt, respond and expand."

  • Equity and community voice matter – Programs should center youth voice, particularly youth of color, and demonstrate commitment to community-driven solutions rather than top-down approaches.

  • Geographic focus is strict – Must serve Twin Cities metro area with emphasis on Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) status required.

  • Multi-year funding is possible – The foundation accepts requests up to three years, though most grants are 1-2 years. This indicates interest in sustained impact over time.

  • "How" matters as much as "what" – Executive Director Nelson repeatedly emphasizes that their approach to work—how they collaborate, listen, and learn—forms their core. Applications should demonstrate similar values.

  • Be prepared for a thorough process – With a two-stage application and approximately 3-month decision timeline, plan ahead. When LOIs reopen, submitting early in the year may allow for multi-year planning.

References

Information compiled December 2025

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