Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation is a private foundation in Wayzata, Minnesota. In tax year 2025 it gave $756,000 in 41 grants; the typical grant was $2,500 and the largest $250,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$756,000
- Number of grants41
- Typical grant$2,500
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$15.1 million
- New grantees76%
Giving in 2025 was up from $665,000 the year before.
76% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $503,200 | 22 | $11.2 million |
| 2024 | $665,000 | 26 | $14.0 million |
| 2025 | $756,000 | 41 | $15.1 million |
How to apply
Michael J & Karen B Frey 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 Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Minnesota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 23 | $609,500 |
| Wyoming | 8 | $83,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $50,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $6,000 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $2,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $1,500 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $1,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $1,000 |
| Michigan | 1 | $1,000 |
| New York | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of Education | General support | $250,000 |
| Upper Midwest Law Center | General support | $100,000 |
| Providence Academy | General support | $70,000 |
| Center of the American Experiment | General support | $50,000 |
| Institute for Justice | General support | $50,000 |
| Minnesota Voters Alliance | General support | $50,000 |
| Alpha News | General support | $25,000 |
| Crook County Fire | General support | $25,000 |
| The Basillica Landmark | Restoring beauty, inspiring hope campaign | $25,000 |
| Weston County Fire Protection District | General support | $25,000 |
| Crook County Fair | General support | $17,000 |
| Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation | Giving womn community fund | $10,000 |
| Breakthrough T1D | General support | $6,000 |
| St David's Center | General support | $5,000 |
| St Paul's Catholic Church | General support | $5,000 |
| Treehouse Inc | General support | $5,000 |
| St Bartholomew Catholic Church and School | General support | $4,000 |
| Sundance Rodeo Club Inc | General support | $3,000 |
| Wyoming State 4-H Foundation | General support | $3,000 |
| Crook County Search and Rescue | General support | $2,500 |
| Crook County Sheriff & Deputy Association | General support | $2,500 |
| Saint Johns University | Scholz family scholarship | $2,500 |
| University of St Thomas | Dougherty family college student emergency fund | $2,500 |
| Black Hills State University Foundation | Black hills state jacket rodeo club | $2,000 |
| St John the Baptist Catholic Parish | General support | $2,000 |
| Como Friends | General support | $1,500 |
| Vail Communities | General support | $1,500 |
| Chruch of St William | General support | $1,000 |
| Community Housing Solutions | General support | $1,000 |
| Friends of Hennepin County Library | General support | $1,000 |
| Hillsdale College | General support | $1,000 |
| Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation | General support | $1,000 |
| Minds Matter of the Twin Cities Inc | General support | $1,000 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society | General support | $1,000 |
| Wikimedia Foundation | General support | $1,000 |
| Helping Paws Inc | General support | $500 |
| Holy Angels | General support | $500 |
| Newburyport Preservation Trust Inc | General support | $500 |
| Sweet Paws Rescue | General support | $500 |
| University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum | General support | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Michael J Frey
- Karen B Frey
- David J Frey
- Sara J Frey
- Michael B Frey
Questions people ask
Does Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation give?
$756,000 in tax year 2025, across 41 grants, with a typical grant of $2,500.
Who runs Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Michael J Frey (Treasurer/President), Karen B Frey (Secretary/Director), David J Frey (Director) and Sara J Frey (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Michael J & Karen B Frey Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and health.