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GHR Foundation

GHR Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not applicable
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Global, with emphasis on United States

Contact Details

Overview

GHR Foundation is a private, family foundation established by Gerald (Gerry) and Henrietta (Hanky) Rauenhorst based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Guided by Catholic social values and an entrepreneurial spirit, the foundation exists "to be of service to people and their limitless potential for good." The foundation operates with a focused approach, forming deep connections with a carefully selected set of partners rather than accepting broad applications. Their work emphasizes transformational impact through long-term partnerships across four strategic program areas, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer's prevention, Catholic Church vitality, education, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates four core program areas:

  • Alzheimer's Prevention: Supporting research, early detection, and treatment initiatives
  • Global Church Vitality: Building organizational capacity for Catholic organizations worldwide
  • Thriving Local Community: Supporting strong Catholic schools
  • Catholic Higher Education: Supporting the alma maters of the founders

Priority Areas

  • Medical research focused on Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment
  • Catholic Church organizational development and capacity building
  • Catholic education at K-12 and university levels
  • Systems change and organizational transformation
  • Long-term, flexible support for strategic partners

What They Don't Fund

Not specified, but based on their focused approach, they likely do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their four program areas
  • Unsolicited proposals
  • Short-term projects without transformational potential
  • Organizations without existing relationships to the foundation

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was founded by Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst and remains a family foundation. Key staff include:

  • Kerry Medek: Managing Director for Global Church Vitality
  • Additional team members include Yende Anderson, Meg Gehlen Nodzon, and Pa Lor

The foundation operates with values of:

  • Lead with Love
  • Reimagine What's Possible
  • Partner Boldly
  • Navigate and Adapt

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through invitation only to a focused set of strategic partners with whom the foundation forms deep, long-term relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on their partnership approach, organizations may come to their attention through:

  • Existing relationships within their four program areas
  • Connections through current partner organizations like Washington University, C2N Diagnostics, DIAN-TU, Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and Jesuit Refugee Service
  • Demonstrated excellence and innovation in Alzheimer's research, Catholic education, or Church organizational development
  • Alignment with Catholic social values and entrepreneurial approaches

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - partnerships are developed through relationship building rather than formal application cycles

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable

Application Success Factors

Based on their current partnerships and stated values:

  • Deep alignment with program areas: Organizations must clearly fit within Alzheimer's prevention, Global Church vitality, Catholic education, or community development
  • Transformational potential: Projects should demonstrate potential for systemic change rather than incremental improvements
  • Long-term vision: Partners like the Vatican's Dicastery received "flexible, long-term support" for organizational transformation
  • Catholic identity: Strong alignment with Catholic social values is essential for most program areas
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship: The foundation values partners who "reimagine what's possible"
  • Collaborative approach: Successful partners demonstrate willingness to "partner boldly" and adapt

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • GHR Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - relationships must be cultivated through existing networks
  • Focus areas are highly specific: Alzheimer's research, Catholic organizations, and Catholic education
  • The foundation provides long-term, flexible support rather than project-specific grants
  • Current partners include major institutions like Washington University and Vatican organizations
  • Best opportunities likely come through connections with existing partner organizations
  • Organizations should demonstrate transformational rather than incremental impact potential
  • Catholic identity and values alignment are essential for most funding areas

References

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