Better Way Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Better Way Foundation is a private foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.0 million in 45 grants; the typical grant was $30,000 and the largest $200,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.0 million
- Number of grants45
- Typical grant$30,000
- Largest grant$200,000
- Assets$68.2 million
- New grantees21%
Giving in 2024 was down from $2.4 million the year before.
21% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.4 million | 44 | $68.2 million |
| 2024 | $2.0 million | 45 | $68.2 million |
How to apply
Better Way Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Better Way Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to Minnesota. It also paid $500,000 in 5 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 9 | $550,000 |
| New Mexico | 5 | $385,000 |
| South Dakota | 4 | $385,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $215,000 |
| Indiana | 4 | $205,000 |
| Washington | 2 | $155,000 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $100,000 |
| Montana | 1 | $50,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $30,000 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $30,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe | Cultural Curriculum for Weetumuw School and Beyond! | $200,000 |
| University of Notre Dame | American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) Support 2020-2024 | $185,000 |
| Lower Sioux Indian Community | Transition Grant - Lower Sioux | $160,000 |
| Hearts Gathered | Building for the Future | $150,000 |
| Oceti Sakowin Community Academy | Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Community-based Indigenous Education | $150,000 |
| Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation | Transition Grant - Thunder Valley CDC | $120,000 |
| Amani Girls Home | Transition Grant - AGH | $100,000 |
| Comanche Language and Cultural Preservation Committee | Building the Capacity of CLCPC | $100,000 |
| Keres Children's Learning Center | Indigenous Montessori Institute Strategic Growth Phase | $100,000 |
| Mama's Hope Organization for Legal Assistance | Transition Grant - MHOLA | $100,000 |
| Montessori American Indian Childcare Center | Continuity, Growth & Vision | $100,000 |
| NACA-Inspired Schools Network | Expanding professional development & IECD programming | $100,000 |
| Red Cloud Indian School | Truth & Healing Project - Part II | $100,000 |
| Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network | Transition Grant - TECDEN | $100,000 |
| Tanzania Home Economics Association | Transition Grant - TAHEA | $100,000 |
| Tumaini Letu | Transition Grant - Tumaini Letu | $100,000 |
| Wicoie Nandagikendan | Growing Wicoie Nandagikendan's Capacity for Continued Growth | $100,000 |
| Wicoie Nandagikendan | Growing Wicoie Nandagikendan's Capacity for Continued Growth | $100,000 |
| St Joseph Mission School | Shaping the Future of Indigenous Early Learning | $80,000 |
| Saad K'idilye | Caretaker Language Apprentice Program | $75,000 |
| De La Salle Blackfeet School | Little Flower Academy Initiative | $50,000 |
| St Anthony Indian Mission | Zuni Language & Culture Project 2024-2025 | $30,000 |
| St Augustine Indian Mission | Community and Family Engagement and Healing | $30,000 |
| St Charles Catholic School | Apache Language and Cultural Program 2024-2025 | $30,000 |
| St Mary's Mission School | Expanding Donor Base and Increasing Donations Launch | $30,000 |
| Montessori American Indian Childcare Center | Relocation & Renovation Request | $25,000 |
| Montessori American Indian Childcare Center | Relocation & Renovation Request | $25,000 |
| Brazelton Touchpoints Center | Indigenous Early Learning Collaborative | $15,000 |
| Mount Mary University | General Operations | $15,000 |
| Red Cloud Indian School | General Operations | $15,000 |
| Saint Clare's Tahoe A Mountain Montessori School | General Operations | $15,000 |
| TeamLift Inc | General Operations | $15,000 |
| Zaman International (Hope for Humanity) | BOOST: Skills Training | $15,000 |
| University of Notre Dame | General Operations | $10,000 |
| Aim Higher Foundation | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Catholic Climate Covenant | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Chief Seattle Club | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Denver Indian Center | Honoring Fatherhood Project | $5,000 |
| Farm to Family Fund | General Operations | $5,000 |
| House of Champions | General Operations | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Nicholas Banovetz
- Kristen Grubb
- Karen Rauenhorst
- Judy Rauenhorst Doerr
- Janine Geske
- Stephanie Russell
- Anita Fineday
- Cary Buzzelli
- Gia Rauenhorst
- Shamsia Ramadhan
- Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz
Questions people ask
Does Better Way Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Better Way Foundation give?
$2.0 million in tax year 2024, across 45 grants, with a typical grant of $30,000.
Who runs Better Way Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Nicholas Banovetz (Vice President), Kristen Grubb (Tax Officer), Karen Rauenhorst (Chair/President) and Judy Rauenhorst Doerr (Chair-elect) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does Better Way Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, international and faith communities.