Cross Works Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Cross Works Foundation funds work in basic human needs, sanctity of life, health and medical, ministries, leadership and mentoring, educational opportunity, and creation care, and it strongly prefers organisations with ties to Christian faith and Christian values, so a grant writer should judge how strongly their own work connects to those values before applying.
- The filing says the foundation accepts applications by invitation only and does not take unsolicited requests, while its application details say applications are accepted year-round and must be submitted by July 31 for the annual September grant meeting, so a small charity should treat the invitation-only statement as the safer guide and make a brief introductory enquiry first.
- Half of its 94 grants to organisations were $45,000 or less, so a request near that median is realistic, although about 8 in 10 grants fall between $500 and $300,000 and the largest was $1,000,000.
- Minnesota is its stated priority rather than a limit, and organisations must qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3); in the filing, 68% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups the foundation had also funded in earlier filings, so a relationship with the foundation may matter, though a new applicant can still ask.
- Any grantee must submit a progress report by June 1 of the following year unless the award states otherwise.
Overview
Cross Works Foundation is a US private foundation based in ST Joseph, MN.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation makes grants to organisations in basic human needs and sanctity of life; health and medical; ministries, leadership, and mentoring; educational opportunity; and creation care, including animals and nature. Its mission is to provide support that follows the values and beliefs of Christian biblical scripture. Organisations must qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. There are no geographic limitations, although the Foundation primarily supports organisations located in Minnesota. It has a strong preference for organisations with ties to Christian faith and Christian values.
Themes
- Basic human needs
- Sanctity of life
- Health and medical
- Ministries, leadership, and mentoring
- Educational opportunity
- Creation care
Geographic Focus
Priority: Minnesota.
How to apply
Applications are accepted year-round and must be submitted by July 31 for review at the annual September grant meeting.
Deadlines: Applications are due by July 31 for the annual September grant meeting.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 68% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 94 grants to organisations were $45,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation strongly prefers organisations with ties to Christian faith and Christian values.
- Grantees must submit a progress report by June 1 of the following year unless the grant award specifies otherwise.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 19% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 68% of grant dollars went to organisations Cross Works Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 32 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $24,375 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Holy Family School · General fund$700,0002024 tax year
- Hope Academy · General fund$627,0002024 tax year
- Great River Childrens Museum · General fund$500,0002024 tax year
- Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund · General fund$500,0002024 tax year
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Saint Cloud · General fund$300,0002024 tax year
- ST Monicas Montessori Inc · General fund$250,0002024 tax year
- Saint Cloud Area Family YMCA · General fund$200,0002024 tax year
- Saint Thomas More Catholic Newman Center Parish of Mankato Minnesota · General fund$150,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Dee Dee Blattner — Trustee
- John Blattner — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,507,704 | $3,206,287 | $74,319,555 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,705,706 | $3,458,890 | $82,058,919 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,379,120 | $4,081,134 | $87,028,071 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Cross Works Foundation?
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Applying to Cross Works Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required