Northwest Area Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Northwest Area Foundation is a private foundation in St Paul, Minnesota. In tax year 2024 it gave $21.9 million in 149 grants; the typical grant was $100,000 and the largest $700,000. 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$21.9 million
- Number of grants149
- Typical grant$100,000
- Largest grant$700,000
- Assets$548 million
- New grantees36%
Giving in 2024 was up from $15.9 million the year before.
36% 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 | $15.9 million | 145 | $529 million |
| 2024 | $21.9 million | 149 | $548 million |
How to apply
Northwest Area 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Northwest Area Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Minnesota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 40 | $5.0 million |
| Oregon | 20 | $2.9 million |
| Washington | 15 | $2.5 million |
| South Dakota | 15 | $1.8 million |
| Iowa | 8 | $1.3 million |
| Montana | 12 | $1.2 million |
| California | 11 | $1.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 12 | $794,750 |
| North Dakota | 6 | $706,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $400,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Native American Youth and Family Center | General operating support | $700,000 |
| Headwaters Foundation for Justice | Grantmaking for indigenous, black and ecosystem-building support | $500,000 |
| Nexus Community Partners | General operating support for capacity building | $500,000 |
| Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs | Federal indian boarding school initiative. | $500,000 |
| The Directors Council | General operating support | $500,000 |
| Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation | General operating support | $500,000 |
| Social Justice Fund Northwest | Abundantly resourcing bipoc & grassroots organizing | $450,000 |
| Working Partnerships Incorporated | Workers confluence fund flexible program support | $450,000 |
| Oweesta Corporation | Empowering native economic growth: general operating support for cdfi advancement | $400,000 |
| Sage Foundation Inc | General operating support | $300,000 |
| Chief Seattle Club | General operating support | $270,000 |
| Aapi Civic Engagement Fund | Aapi community empowerment project | $250,000 |
| Byrd Barr Place | General operating support | $250,000 |
| Common Counsel Foundation | Sponsorship | $250,000 |
| CRAFT3 | General operating support | $250,000 |
| Hmong American Partnership | Support for southeast asian and immigrant/ refugee-owned small businesses in the twin cities | $250,000 |
| Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice | General operating support | $250,000 |
| Mountain Shadow Association | General operating support | $250,000 |
| North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems | General operating support | $250,000 |
| Northside Economic Opportunity Network | Northside economic opportunity network general operations | $250,000 |
| Philanthropy Northwest | General operating support | $250,000 |
| Seeding Justice | Seeding justice's community-led, community-driven grantmaking: by and for the movement | $250,000 |
| Tides Foundation | Trans justice funding project- justice for trans communities in the northwest | $250,000 |
| Verde | General operating support | $250,000 |
| 247 Blac | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Build Wealth MN Inc | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Mni Wiconi Health Circle | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Native Cdfi Network Inc | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Nimiipuu Community Development Fund | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Opportunity Link | Mobilizing communities assets for growth and change | $200,000 |
| Ujamaa Place | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Ventures | General operating support | $200,000 |
| Cultural Wellness Center | General operating support | $170,000 |
| Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul | Economic mobility hub for american indians | $170,000 |
| Black Hills Community Loan Fund Inc | General operating support | $150,000 |
| Capaces Leadership Institute | General operating support | $150,000 |
| Global to Local Health Initiative | General operating support | $150,000 |
| Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence | General operating support | $150,000 |
| Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial Inc | General operating support | $150,000 |
| Nacdc Financial Services Inc | General operating support | $150,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Laura Alvarez Schrag
- Elisabeth Buck
- Juel Burnette
- Duane Carter
- Wayne Ducheneaux
- Joe Eltobgi
- Libby Hlavka
- Joyce Lee
- Salome Mwangi
- Michelle Osborne
- Amy Sings in the Timber
- Georgina Slade
- Maria Valandra
- Jennifer Williams
- Rebecca Klevan
Questions people ask
Does Northwest Area Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Northwest Area Foundation give?
$21.9 million in tax year 2024, across 149 grants, with a typical grant of $100,000.
Who runs Northwest Area Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Laura Alvarez Schrag (Director), Elisabeth Buck (Director), Juel Burnette (Director) and Duane Carter (Director) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does Northwest Area Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, human services and youth programs.