Wem Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Wem Foundation is a private foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In tax year 2023 it gave $359 million in 135 grants; the typical grant was $550,000 and the largest $75.2 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2023.
- Grants paid, 2023$359 million
- Number of grants135
- Typical grant$550,000
- Largest grant$75.2 million
- Assets$0
How to apply
Wem 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 Wem Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to Minnesota. It also paid $6.0 million in 3 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 101 | $210 million |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $75.2 million |
| Florida | 10 | $46.5 million |
| Maine | 1 | $15.0 million |
| Montana | 4 | $2.1 million |
| California | 2 | $2.0 million |
| Maryland | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Colorado | 1 | $750,000 |
| New York | 2 | $302,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $100,000 |
Grants paid in 2023
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Smithsonian Institution | General | $75.2 million |
| Minneapolis Institute of Art | General | $25.1 million |
| The Learning Alliance | General | $20.0 million |
| Williams College | General | $15.0 million |
| Riverside Theatre | General | $10.1 million |
| Vero Beach Museum of Art | General | $10.0 million |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation | General | $10.0 million |
| Minneapolis Parks Foundation | General | $10.0 million |
| Guthrie Theater | General | $8.2 million |
| Project Success | General | $7.1 million |
| Northside Achievement Zone | General | $6.3 million |
| Nature Conservancy | General | $6.1 million |
| Groves Academy | General | $5.3 million |
| Cristo Rey Jesuit High School | General | $5.2 million |
| Great MN Schools | General | $5.1 million |
| Minnesota Historical Society | General | $5.1 million |
| Second Harvest Heartland | General | $5.1 million |
| Minnesota Landscape Arboretum | General | $5.0 million |
| McKee Botanical Garden | General | $5.0 million |
| Dunwoody College of Technology | General | $5.0 million |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | General | $5.0 million |
| Way to Grow | General | $4.8 million |
| Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation | General | $4.5 million |
| Lundstrum Performing Arts | General | $4.5 million |
| Church of the Ascension | General | $4.2 million |
| Summit Academy Oic | General | $4.2 million |
| Prodeo Academy | General | $4.1 million |
| Macphail Center for Music | General | $4.1 million |
| Project for Pride in Living | General | $3.5 million |
| St David's Center for Child & Family Development | General | $3.5 million |
| YWCA Minneapolis | General | $3.3 million |
| Youth Frontiers | General | $3.2 million |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities | General | $3.1 million |
| Minnesota Council on Economic Education | General | $3.1 million |
| Think Small | General | $3.1 million |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church | General | $3.0 million |
| Children's Theatre Company | General | $3.0 million |
| Northside Economic Opportunity Network | General | $3.0 million |
| Wallin Education Partners | General | $3.0 million |
| Kingswood College | General | $2.0 million |
Officers and trustees
- Elizabeth S Macmillan
- Harriet S Norgren
- James Hield
Questions people ask
Does Wem Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Wem Foundation give?
$359 million in tax year 2023, across 135 grants, with a typical grant of $550,000.
Who runs Wem Foundation?
Its 2023 filing lists Elizabeth S Macmillan (Director/Vice Chair/Sec), Harriet S Norgren (Director) and James Hield (Director/President).
What does Wem Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and environment and conservation.