Wilson Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2.7 million (2024)
Assets: Approximately $190 million
Grant Range: $186,000 - $4,000,000 (average $186,364)
Geographic Focus: Minnesota (with targeted focus on Duluth area beginning 2024)
Application Method: Invitation only (no public application process)
Grant Type: Primarily unrestricted, multi-year grants

Contact Details

Location: Saint Paul, MN

Contact: Inquiries welcome through the Contact Us form on the foundation's website

Foundation Manager: Andrea Nettles (joined November 2024)

Overview

The Wilson Foundation was established in 2021 as a private grantmaking foundation by John R. Wilson, a Duluth native and serial entrepreneur in biotechnology. With approximately $190 million in assets, the foundation focuses on two core strategic priorities: advancing pathways out of poverty and promoting environmental sustainability through climate action. The foundation employs a trust-based philanthropy model, primarily awarding unrestricted, multi-year grants to high-performing Minnesota-based organizations. In its first few years of operation, the foundation has rapidly scaled its grantmaking, distributing $2.7 million in unrestricted two-year grants to seven organizations in December 2024. The foundation is guided by four core values: humility (learning from those with lived experience of poverty), collaboration (working with aligned partners), pragmatism (applying problem-solving approaches), and an abundance mindset (operating with optimism and seeking expanded possibilities).

Funding Priorities

Strategic Focus Areas

Pathways Out of Poverty

Workforce development and employment training programs leading to sustainable, high-quality jobs and career pathways
Affordable rental housing and expanded homeownership initiatives
Equity-focused policy work that increases opportunity and economic prosperity

Climate Action

Creation and implementation of state and local climate action policy leading to effective and economically just outcomes
Clean energy transition education and outreach
Green workforce development for underserved communities

Recent Grant Examples (2023)

The foundation awarded $2 million to nine Twin Cities nonprofit organizations, including:

Beacon Interfaith Housing (affordable housing)
Center for Energy and the Environment (energy efficiency)
Fresh Energy (clean energy policy)
Great Plains Institute (climate solutions)
Hired (employment services)
MN Home Ownership Center (homeownership access)
Project for Pride in Living (affordable housing and job training)
Summit Academy OIC (workforce development)
Youthprise (youth development and economic opportunity)

Additional 2024 Grants

August 2024: $1.05 million to twelve Minnesota nonprofits, with eight organizations participating in a public-private clean economy workforce training initiative (in partnership with Minnesota DEED and Margaret A. Cargill Foundation)
October 2024: $2 million to Caring Cross to expand CAR-T cell therapy access in underserved communities
December 2024: $4 million to Minneapolis Parks Foundation for North Commons Park transformation (plus $2 million matching gift challenge)
December 2024: $2.7 million in unrestricted two-year grants to seven Minnesota nonprofits

Geographic Priorities

The foundation currently prioritizes Minnesota-based organizations that primarily serve individuals and communities within the state. Beginning in 2024, targeted funding is anticipated in the Duluth area, reflecting founder John Wilson's roots in that community.

What They Don't Fund

Religious organizations for religious purposes (grants cannot support inherently religious activities)
Direct lobbying activities (though nonpartisan policy advocacy and research are supported, subject to IRS Code Section 4945(e) restrictions)

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

John R. Wilson, President - Serial entrepreneur in biotechnology with over 30 years of experience; founder and CEO of Wilson Wolf; holds degrees in Business Administration and Economics from Hamline University and BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Minnesota
Terry O'Reilly, Treasurer and Secretary - CFO of Wilson Wolf
Brenda Furlow, Secretary
Dan Fick, Board Member and Special Projects Liaison

Staff:

Andrea Nettles, Foundation Manager (joined November 2024) - Responsible for ensuring operational effectiveness

Leadership Philosophy:

Terry O'Reilly, Treasurer, has stated: "The grants awarded by the Foundation in 2023 expand the Board's commitment to partnering with highly effective organizations moving ambitious plans forward."

None of the board members receive compensation for their service to the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Wilson Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation proactively identifies and reaches out to potential grantee partners through their own research and network.

However, organizations interested in being considered for future funding are encouraged to submit inquiries through the Contact Us form on the foundation's website. While this does not guarantee consideration, it allows the foundation to learn about organizations doing work aligned with their priorities.

When invited to apply, organizations submit a slightly modified version of the Minnesota Common Grant Application Form, which streamlines the application process.

Getting on Their Radar

This section includes specific information about THIS funder:

The Wilson Foundation takes a proactive, relationship-driven approach to identifying grantees. Based on their documented practices:

Public-Private Partnerships: The foundation participates in collaborative funding initiatives with state agencies and other foundations. In 2024, they partnered with Minnesota DEED and Margaret A. Cargill Foundation on clean economy workforce training grants, demonstrating their willingness to co-fund with government programs.
Strategic Alignment with State Programs: Organizations that receive state grants for work aligned with the foundation's priorities (climate action, workforce development) may be considered for supplemental private funding. The 2024 clean economy workforce training initiative shows this pattern.
Network of Prior Grantees: The foundation appears to build on relationships with established, high-performing organizations. Their 2023 grantees represent well-known Twin Cities nonprofits with strong track records.
Contact Channel: The foundation explicitly welcomes inquiries through their website contact form, suggesting openness to learning about organizations even without a formal application process.

Decision Timeline

The Board awards grants twice yearly:

July grant cycle
December grant cycle

Specific decision timelines from inquiry to award are not publicly disclosed, as the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Grant Structure

Multi-year grants: The foundation emphasizes two-year grant commitments
Unrestricted funding: Most grants are unrestricted, allowing organizations flexibility in how they use funds
Trust-based approach: Streamlined reporting and administrative requirements

Success Rates

Specific application-to-award ratios are not available, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation carefully selects organizations to invite, suggesting a high conversion rate for invited applicants.

Recent grantmaking activity:

2022: 3 grants awarded
2023: 11 grants awarded
2024: Multiple grant rounds including 7 organizations in December, 12 organizations in August, plus individual major grants

Application Success Factors

Since the Wilson Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals, success depends on alignment with their strategic priorities and operational approach:

Foundation's Stated Priorities:

High Performance and Effectiveness: Terry O'Reilly emphasized the foundation's commitment to "partnering with highly effective organizations moving ambitious plans forward," indicating they seek organizations with proven track records and ambitious but achievable goals.
Strategic Alignment: Organizations must align closely with one or both strategic priorities:
- Economic opportunity/pathways out of poverty
- Climate action and environmental sustainability
Trust-Based Partnership Qualities: The foundation uses a trust-based philanthropy model, which suggests they value:
- Organizations comfortable with unrestricted funding
- Partners who can demonstrate impact without excessive reporting requirements
- Collaborative mindset aligned with the foundation's values
Minnesota Focus: Strong preference for organizations based in Minnesota serving Minnesota communities, with special interest in the Duluth area beginning in 2024
Policy and Systems Change: Many recent grantees work on policy advocacy, systems change, and addressing root causes rather than just direct services

Evidence from Recent Grantees:

The foundation's 2023 grantees represent a mix of:

Direct service with systems impact: Organizations like Project for Pride in Living and Summit Academy OIC combine workforce training with advocacy
Policy-focused organizations: Fresh Energy, Great Plains Institute, and Center for Energy and the Environment focus on climate policy
Economic opportunity infrastructure: MN Home Ownership Center and Beacon Interfaith Housing address housing access
Equity-centered approaches: Youthprise focuses on youth from communities of color

Collaborative Funding Participation:

The foundation's 2024 partnership with Minnesota DEED and Margaret A. Cargill Foundation demonstrates openness to:

Co-funding with government agencies
Supplementing existing grant programs
Participating in collective impact initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Don't apply unsolicited: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; however, you can submit an inquiry through their contact form to get on their radar
Demonstrate high performance: The foundation seeks "highly effective organizations moving ambitious plans forward" - emphasize proven track records and measurable impact
Align with core priorities: Focus exclusively on pathways out of poverty (workforce development, affordable housing, economic policy) or climate action (policy implementation, clean energy, green workforce)
Think multi-year and unrestricted: The foundation's trust-based approach favors unrestricted, multi-year funding - be prepared to articulate organizational vision rather than project-specific needs
Minnesota connections matter: Strong preference for Minnesota-based organizations serving Minnesota communities; Duluth connections may be particularly valuable
Watch for collaborative opportunities: The foundation participates in public-private partnerships and co-funding initiatives - if you receive state grants in aligned areas, you may be noticed
Emphasize systems change: Recent grantees work on policy, advocacy, and addressing root causes - demonstrate how your work creates systemic impact beyond direct services

References

Wilson Foundation Official Website - About Page: https://wilsonfoundationmn.org/about/ (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Wilson Foundation Official Website - Grantmaking Page: https://wilsonfoundationmn.org/grantmaking/ (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Wilson Foundation Official Website - News Page: https://wilsonfoundationmn.org/news/ (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Wilson Foundation Press Release - December 2023 Grants: https://wilsonfoundationmn.org/2023/12/wilson-foundation-announces-round-of-grants-totaling-2m/ (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Instrumentl - Wilson Foundation 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/wilson-foundation-d560c12a-aa3e-41e1-a547-dd075e62b86f (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Cause IQ - Wilson Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/wilson-foundation,863212786/ (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Grantable - Wilson Foundation Profile: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/wilson-foundation-us-foundation-863212786 (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development - Governor Walz Announces Clean Energy Workforce Funding: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=1045-627246 (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Fresh Energy Donors List 2023-2024: https://fresh-energy.org/2023-24donors (Accessed December 22, 2025)
Hinchilla - Wilson Foundation Average Grant Size Analysis: https://www.hinchilla.com/funder-directory/the-wilson-foundation (Accessed December 22, 2025)