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Hodder Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M

Hodder Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $550,000-$615,000
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation/discretion-based)
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: Estimated $5,000 - $29,000 (average $10,469)
  • Geographic Focus: National (multiple states, with Minnesota roots)
  • Number of Grants: 53 grants (2024)

Contact Details

Address: C/o Abbott Downing, Minneapolis, MN 55402

EIN: 84-3967503

Note: This is a private family foundation with no public website or published contact information. The foundation is managed through Abbott Downing (Wells Fargo's wealth management division).

Overview

The Hodder Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in July 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded by the family of the late William Hodder, longtime CEO of Donaldson Company who passed away in July 2023, the foundation carries forward a legacy of community involvement and philanthropy that includes the earlier establishment of the Suzanne Holmes Hodder Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research at the University of Minnesota in memory of Sue Hodder (who died in 2012).

With assets exceeding $22.6 million as of 2024, the foundation has rapidly expanded its grantmaking activities since inception, growing from 44 grants in 2022 to 53 grants in 2024. The foundation is classified under Arts, Culture and Humanities causes, specifically fund raising and fund distribution, though its grantmaking appears to span multiple areas including education, human services, and medical research. The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation, making grants at the discretion of its board of directors rather than through a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Hodder Family Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Grantmaking is conducted at trustee discretion based on the family's philanthropic interests and relationships.

Known Grant Range: Approximately $5,000 - $29,000 per grant Average Grant Size: $10,469 Annual Distribution: $550,000-$615,000 across approximately 50+ grants annually

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the foundation supports:

  • Education: Including scholarships and program support (The Blake School received $29,000)
  • Disadvantaged Populations: General support for organizations serving disadvantaged individuals, with focus on training and employment opportunities
  • Medical Research: Particularly cancer research through programs like the "Suzanne Holmes Hodder CHR PDTC Now Program"
  • Community Support: Organizations providing direct services (World Central Kitchen received $25,000; Migizi Communications received $25,000)
  • Arts, Culture and Humanities: As indicated by the foundation's IRS classification

The foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states, including major urban centers like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, as well as Minnesota-based organizations.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (all serve without compensation):

  • Laura H. Greeno - President/Director
  • Beth H. Whitcomb - Secretary/Director
  • Kent H. Hodder - Treasurer/Director
  • Mark A. Hodder - Honorary Director
  • William A. Hodder - Director (Deceased July 6, 2023)

The foundation is a family foundation established by the Hodder family of Edina/Minneapolis. William Hodder was the former president, CEO, and chairman of Donaldson Company (1973-1996), a Minnesota-based manufacturer of filtration equipment, and was a leader in the Minnesota business community including serving as head of the Minnesota Business Partnership in the early 1990s. He also helped establish strong ties between the state's business community and the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.

The foundation operates with no paid staff and minimal operating expenses, with the board managing all grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Hodder Family Foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation where grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors. The foundation does not:

  • Maintain a public website
  • Accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Publish application guidelines or deadlines
  • Offer an online application portal

Grants are made based on the trustees' philanthropic interests, family legacy priorities, and existing relationships with organizations. This is typical for small-to-mid-sized private family foundations managed through wealth advisory firms like Abbott Downing.

Decision Timeline

Not disclosed. As a private foundation making grants at trustee discretion, there are no published decision timelines or notification schedules.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional success rate metrics are not relevant.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates without a public application process, the traditional success factors don't apply. However, organizations seeking to understand the foundation's interests can:

Research the family's philanthropic history:

  • The Suzanne Holmes Hodder Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research demonstrates a long-term commitment to childhood cancer research
  • William Hodder's leadership in Minnesota's business community and support for the Carlson School of Management indicates interest in business education and economic development
  • Sue Hodder's community involvement and passion for bringing people together suggests family values around community building

Review publicly available grant data:

  • IRS Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, GuideStar, or the IRS) list all grant recipients and amounts
  • Analysis of these grants over multiple years can reveal patterns in funding priorities, geographic preferences, and types of organizations supported
  • The foundation's growth from 44 grants (2022) to 53 grants (2024) suggests expanding grantmaking capacity

Note alignment with stated focus:

  • The foundation is classified under "Arts, Culture and Humanities / Fund Raising and/or Fund Distribution"
  • Known grants support education, human services, medical research, and emergency relief
  • The foundation appears to support both established institutions and community-based organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This is a private family foundation that makes grants at trustee discretion; unsolicited applications are not accepted through any formal process
  • Mid-sized grants: With an average grant of approximately $10,000 and a range up to $29,000, this foundation provides modest but meaningful support
  • Growing grantmaking: The foundation has increased annual grants from 44 (2022) to 53 (2024), indicating expanding philanthropic activity
  • National but Minnesota-rooted: While supporting organizations nationwide, the foundation has deep Minnesota connections through the Hodder family's business and philanthropic legacy
  • Legacy-driven: Grantmaking appears influenced by family values including community engagement, education, cancer research, and supporting disadvantaged populations
  • Research the 990-PF: Organizations interested in this funder should review recent Form 990-PF filings to understand current grantmaking patterns and identify organizations similar to their own that have received support
  • Indirect connections matter: Given the lack of public application process, connections through shared board members, mutual funders, or community networks may be the primary pathway to consideration

References

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