Frank W Veden Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $260,000
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $80,000 (typical awards)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Minnesota

Contact Details

• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Website: No website
• Application Contact: Not applicable - does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Frank W Veden Charitable Trust is a private independent foundation established as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in March 1998. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the trust manages assets of approximately $12.9 million and distributes around $260,000 annually in grants. The foundation operates as a traditional private trust with US Bank serving as trustee alongside Gary Johnson and Harriet L Broin. Despite its South Dakota location, the trust primarily focuses its philanthropic efforts in Minnesota, supporting organizations in education, human services, and philanthropy sectors through a trustee-directed grant-making approach.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants through trustee selection:

• Typical Grant Awards: $25,000 - $80,000
• Historical Range: $4,343 - $666,667
• Annual Distribution: Approximately $260,000

Priority Areas

• Education
• Human Services
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
• Healthcare/Dental Services (particularly community dental health initiatives)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's closed application process inherently excludes:

• Unsolicited proposals
• Organizations outside their pre-selected network
• Organizations primarily outside Minnesota

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• US Bank (Corporate Trustee)
• Gary Johnson
• Harriet L Broin

The foundation operates with a traditional private trust structure where US Bank serves as the institutional trustee managing the foundation's assets alongside individual trustees who guide philanthropic direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Frank W Veden Charitable Trust explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations identified through the foundation's own research and existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the closed nature of this foundation, organizations cannot directly apply. Based on their giving patterns, the foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through:

• Their connection to Minnesota communities, particularly in education and human services
• Organizations with strong community impact records
• Established nonprofits with demonstrated effectiveness in their priority areas

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only funding

Application Success Factors

Since the Frank W Veden Charitable Trust does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns shows they favor:

• Organizations with strong Minnesota connections
• Established nonprofits with proven track records
• Projects that demonstrate clear community impact
• Organizations in education and human services sectors
• Healthcare initiatives with community-wide benefit (such as Apple Tree Dental's clinic projects)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Do not submit unsolicited applications - this foundation explicitly does not accept them
• The foundation distributes approximately $260,000 annually to preselected organizations
• Focus is primarily on Minnesota-based organizations despite South Dakota headquarters
• Typical grants range from $25,000 to $80,000
• The foundation operates through trustee discretion with US Bank as corporate trustee
• Organizations already in their giving portfolio include Apple Tree Dental and Minnesota Historical Society
• This represents a traditional private foundation model where relationship and reputation are the only paths to funding

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Frank W Veden Charitable Trust (EIN 41-6432193) - Accessed March 2024
• Candid/Foundation Directory - Frank W Veden Charitable Trust Profile - Accessed March 2024
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Database - EIN 41-6432193 - Accessed March 2024
• Apple Tree Dental Annual Reports and Donor Recognition - Various years
• Minnesota Historical Society Donor Lists - National History Day Program Support