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Shepherds - A Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$29K - $0.2M

Shepherds - A Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $966,000 - $1,603,333 (varies by year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only foundation)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $29,000 - $180,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Washington, California, Minnesota, and surrounding states)
  • Number of Grants: 12-24 grants annually
  • Median Grant: $63,000
  • Average Grant: $80,500

Contact Details

Address: 950 Wayzata Blvd E, Suite 104, Wayzata, MN 55391-1807

Phone: (307) 733-7457

EIN: 47-3839311

Note: This foundation does not have a public website or published email address for grant inquiries.

Overview

Shepherds - A Family Foundation is a Minnesota-based private foundation established in August 2015. With assets exceeding $31 million and annual giving ranging from approximately $966,000 to $1.6 million, the foundation makes 12-24 grants annually to charitable organizations across the United States. The foundation is classified as a Private Grantmaking Foundation under NTEE code T20 and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization.

The foundation's grantmaking demonstrates a broad philanthropic approach without a single specified focus area, though analysis of recent grant recipients reveals particular interest in outdoor recreation for youth, environmental conservation, veterans services, community development, and organizations serving underserved populations. The foundation has a notable presence in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem region, particularly Jackson, Wyoming and surrounding areas, while also supporting organizations across multiple states from coast to coast.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Shepherds - A Family Foundation operates through an invitation-only grantmaking model and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation indicated on its IRS Form 990-PF that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grant Range: $29,000 - $180,000 Median Grant: $63,000 Average Grant: $80,500

Priority Areas (Based on Recent Grants)

Analysis of the foundation's 2023 grant recipients reveals the following thematic areas:

Youth Development and Outdoor Recreation

  • Youth snowboarding and skateboarding programs
  • BMX racing for underserved youth
  • Early childhood education
  • Youth access to outdoor experiences

Environmental Conservation and Land Stewardship

  • Watershed protection and river conservation
  • Public parks and natural resource access
  • Wildlife habitat preservation
  • Community-based environmental education

Veterans Services

  • Mental health support for veterans
  • Housing assistance for veterans and their families
  • Community integration programs
  • PTSD counseling and support services

Community Development and Social Services

  • Homelessness and displacement services
  • Community gathering spaces
  • Essential supplies for vulnerable populations
  • Equity and access to natural resources

Geographic Areas Served

The foundation supports organizations across the United States, with grant recipients documented in:

  • Wyoming (Jackson, particularly prominent)
  • Idaho (Driggs)
  • Washington (SeaTac)
  • Colorado (Montrose)
  • California (Grass Valley)
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Hawaii
  • Massachusetts

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

  • Spread the Love Commission (Jackson, WY) - $180,000 - Homelessness outreach and support
  • Snake River Fund (Jackson, WY) - $100,000 - Snake River watershed conservation
  • Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans (Montrose, CO) - $100,000 - Veterans services and support
  • Carving the Future (Jackson, WY) - $75,000 - Youth snowboarding and skateboarding programs
  • Friends of the Teton River Inc (Driggs, ID) - $50,000 - River conservation and restoration
  • Revert Foundation (Grass Valley, CA) - $40,000 - Youth outdoor sports and development
  • SeaTac BMX (SeaTac, WA) - $30,000 - BMX racing for youth
  • Astoria Park Conservancy (Jackson, WY) - $29,000 - Public park and hot springs stewardship
  • Children's Learning Center (Jackson, WY) - Amount not specified - Early childhood education

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Does not appear to fund individual scholarships or grants to individuals
  • Does not fund organizations outside the United States based on available data

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three officers who serve without compensation:

President: Jill Needham Mithun

Treasurer: Becanaan McMillon

Officer: Shade Willie McMillon

All leadership serves on a volunteer basis, demonstrating a commitment to directing foundation resources toward grantmaking rather than administrative overhead.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

Shepherds - A Family Foundation has indicated on its IRS Form 990-PF filing that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This is a common practice among private family foundations, where approximately 71% of all U.S. private foundations operate under this model.

The foundation identifies and selects grant recipients through its own research, networks, and the discretion of its trustees. Organizations do not submit formal grant applications through an open process.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their grantmaking patterns may be valuable:

Geographic Connections: The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in the Jackson Hole, Wyoming area and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem region, despite being headquartered in Minnesota. Organizations working in these areas may be more likely to come to the foundation's attention.

Thematic Alignment: Analysis of grant recipients shows the foundation supports organizations working in youth outdoor recreation, environmental conservation (particularly river and watershed protection), veterans services, and services for vulnerable populations. Strong work in these areas may increase visibility.

Community Networks: Many of the foundation's grant recipients are interconnected through regional networks in conservation, outdoor recreation, and community service sectors, particularly in the Mountain West region.

Note: Given the foundation's phone number uses a 307 area code (Wyoming), despite being registered in Minnesota, leadership may have personal ties to the Jackson Hole area.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only foundation, decision timelines are determined at the discretion of the trustees.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation makes 12-24 grants annually from among organizations it has preselected.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the foundation's preselected grantmaking model.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Foundation's Approach

While organizations cannot apply directly, understanding what has succeeded can provide insight:

1. Strong Community Impact and Measurable Outcomes The foundation's grant recipients demonstrate clear, tangible community benefits:

  • Carving the Future puts skateboarding and snowboarding equipment directly in the hands of underserved youth
  • Friends of the Teton River uses "sound science and collaboration" for watershed protection
  • Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans serves 80-120 veterans weekly through free coffee gatherings and PTSD counseling

2. Equity and Access Focus Multiple grant recipients explicitly focus on providing access to underserved populations:

  • SeaTac BMX offers "reduced-fee and scholarship options for local youth" and lends bikes to kids who don't have them
  • Astoria Park Conservancy's mission emphasizes "equitable access to natural resources"
  • Spread the Love Commission "bridges the divide" between homeless individuals and helpers

3. Outdoor Recreation and Nature Connection A clear pattern emerges around organizations connecting people (especially youth) to outdoor experiences:

  • Youth snowboarding, skateboarding, and BMX programs
  • River and watershed conservation organizations
  • Public parks and natural hot springs access

4. Grassroots, Community-Based Organizations Grant recipients tend to be community-based nonprofits rather than large national organizations:

  • Local watershed groups
  • Community-specific youth programs
  • Regional veterans services

5. Sustainable, Long-Term Community Solutions Recipients demonstrate sustainability beyond one-time interventions:

  • Friends of the Teton River has operated for 25+ years
  • SeaTac BMX has operated since 1981
  • Organizations build ongoing programs rather than one-time events

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only foundation - Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications. The foundation identifies and selects all grant recipients through trustee discretion.

  • Geographic sweet spot: While the foundation is headquartered in Minnesota, there is notable concentration of grants in the Jackson Hole, Wyoming area and Mountain West region, suggesting personal connections or interests in this geography.

  • Broad but discernible focus: Though the foundation claims no specific subject focus, grant patterns reveal clear interest in youth outdoor recreation, environmental conservation (especially watersheds/rivers), veterans services, and addressing homelessness and access inequity.

  • Mid-range grants: With a median grant of $63,000 and average of $80,500, the foundation typically makes substantial but not transformative grants. Grant range spans $29,000 to $180,000.

  • Small, selective portfolio: Making only 12-24 grants annually from assets of $31+ million, this foundation is highly selective, choosing depth over breadth in its grantmaking.

  • Community-based preference: Grant recipients tend to be grassroots, community-specific organizations rather than large national nonprofits, suggesting preference for localized impact.

  • Equity lens: Multiple grant recipients explicitly focus on serving underserved populations and removing barriers to access (economic, geographic, or social), indicating this may be a values priority for foundation leadership.

References

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