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Carolyn Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Carolyn Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$1.7M
Granted FY2019
108
Grants FY2019
21
States reached
$65k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0190% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2024.

Environment$683kEducation$483kArts & Culture$398kHealth$317kYouth Development$201kCommunity Improvement$186kHuman Services$143kCrime & Legal$68kOther$0
02FY2019 · 108 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 108 grants below total $1,331,609, the rows itemized in this filing. The $1,705,882 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $374,273 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2019

  • Under $10k59 grants · $43k
  • $10k–50k44 grants · $1.0M
  • $50k–250k5 grants · $265k
$1,000
Median grant
21
States reached
$33M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Foundation for the Arts and Trauma, Inc$65,000
New Haven International Festival of Arts and Ideas$50,000
Foundation for the Arts and Trauma, Inc$50,000
Foundation for the Arts and Trauma, Inc$50,000
Rocky Mountain Institute$50,000
Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES)$37,861
Children's Law Center of Minnesota$35,000
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre$35,000
Common Ground - New Haven Ecology Project$30,000
Clean Grid Alliance$30,000
Alliance for Sustainability$30,000
Clean Up the River Environment$30,000
Clean Wisconsin, Inc.$30,000
Bridge for Youth, The$30,000
Mixed Blood Theatre$27,000
02Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a…

Education
2
Minnesota Business Partnership

The minnesota business partnership's mission is to maintain a high quality of life for all minnesotans by ensuring that the state's economy remains strong, globally competitive and its prospects for growth bright by working with elected…

—
3
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The minnesota chamber of commerce proactively leads the business community statewide to: advance pro-business, responsible minnesota public policy that creates jobs and grows the econony; provde member services to address evolving business…

—
4
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

The minnesota center for environmental advocacy is a nonprofit organization that uses law, science and research to protect minnesota's environment, its natural resources and the health of its people.

Environment
5
Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership

The mission of the greater msp partnership is to accelerate regional competitiveness and inclusive economic growth through job creation, capital investment and execution of strategic initiatives. the partnership works to strengthen our…

Community Improvement
6
St Paul Transportation Management Organization

Move minnesota leads the movement for an equitable and sustainable transportation system that puts people first. we are passionate about connecting communities, ending the climate crisis, expanding access to jobs and resources, and…

Environment
7
University Cooperative School

We take a joyful, community-oriented approach to raising engaged citizens, deep learners, and brave adventurers with the skills, creativity, and heart needed to better the world.

—
8
United Way of Ne Minnesota

United way of northeastern minnesota invests in nonprofits, programs, and collaborations that equip and empower, creating opportunities for people to thrive in our communities.

—
9
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth

Mity's mission is to inspire and challenge intellectually curious students to pursue their passions within a diverse, inclusive community and empower them by building skills and relationships for lifelong success.

—
10
Minnesota Council on Foundations

MCF is a vibrant philanthropic community connecting, strengthening and mobilizing the power of philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity.

—
11
Conservation Minnesota

Conservation minnesota's mission is to turn our shared conservation values into state priorities and provide you with the information you need to make decisions for your family, community and future.

Environment
12
Minneapolis Downtown Council

To create an extraordinary downtown minneapolis, applying the core values of leadership, collaboration, advocacy and innovation.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Art Council of Greater New Haven Inc; the most unlike its peers is Northeast Minneapolis Tool Library. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

81 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 81 of the 99 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
30
Early backer (in before they grew)
79/81
Grantees still filing
67/81
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND TRAUMA INC: $190,000 · OtherFOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND TRAUMA INCRocky Mountain Institute: $51,000 · OtherRocky Mountain InstituteArea Cooperative Educational Services (ACES): $37,861 · OtherArea Cooperative Educational Services (ACES)Common Ground - New Haven Ecology Project: $30,000 · OtherALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY: $30,000 · OtherMixed Blood Theatre Company: $27,000 · OtherWatercourse Counseling Center (dab): $25,000 · OtherKATHA DANCE THEATRE: $25,000 · OtherCENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS: $25,000 · OtherLake Nokomis Keewaydin Community School: $25,000 · OtherRural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL): $25,000 · OtherRiverside Education Academy: $25,000 · OtherWISPRG Foundation: $25,000 · OtherVENN FOUNDATION: $25,000 · Other+30 more: $81,238 · Other+30 moreNEW HAVEN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND IDEAS INC: $66,500 · Arts & CultureNEW HAVEN INTERNATIONA…IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST PUPPET AND MAS: $35,000 · Arts & CultureIN THE HEART OF THE BE…NEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC: $25,000 · Arts & CultureNEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORC…THE CONNECTICUT PLAYERS FOUNDATION INC D/B/A LONG WHARF THEATRE: $25,000 · Arts & CultureTHE CONNECTICUT PLAYER…WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS: $25,000 · Arts & CultureWISCONSIN ACADEMY OF S…THE ELM SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: $25,000 · Arts & CultureTHE ELM SHAKESPEARE CO…THREADS DANCE PROJECT: $21,500 · Arts & CultureTHREADS DANCE PROJECTCOMPAS INC: $15,700 · Arts & CultureCOMPAS INCSOMALI MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER: $15,000 · Arts & CultureSOMALI MUSEUM AND CULT…+10 more: $5,454 · Arts & CultureCLEAN UP THE RIVER ENVIRONMENT: $30,000 · EnvironmentCLEAN UP THE …CLEAN WISCONSIN INC: $30,000 · EnvironmentCLEAN WISCONS…CLEAN GRID ALLIANCE (FNA WIND ON THE WIRES): $30,000 · EnvironmentCLEAN GRID AL…FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: $25,400 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF TH…1000 FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN: $25,000 · Environment1000 FRIENDS …ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER OF THE MIDWEST: $15,000 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL…+8 more: $5,100 · EnvironmentHENNEPIN SCHOOLS: $25,000 · EducationHENNEPIN …Upper Mississippi Academy: $24,656 · EducationUpper Mis…MIGIZI Communications Inc: $20,000 · EducationMIGIZI Co…THE BLAKE SCHOOL: $15,000 · EducationTHE BLAKE…NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS TOOL LIBRARY: $12,000 · EducationNORTHEAST…READ TO GROW INC: $7,100 · EducationREAD TO G…+5 more: $4,100 · EducationCHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF MINNESOTA: $35,000 · Crime & LegalThe Connecticut Appleseed Center for Law and Justice inc: $20,000 · Crime & LegalWhittier Alliance: $10,000 · Crime & Legal+2 more: $750 · Crime & LegalTHE BRIDGE FOR YOUTH: $30,000 · Human ServicesFRIENDS CENTER FOR CHILDREN INC: $25,000 · Human Services+2 more: $1,250 · Human ServicesBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES: $20,000 · Youth DevelopmentMinnesota Alliance With Youth: $15,000 · Youth Development
Other$647,099Arts & Culture$259,154Environment$160,500Education$107,856Crime & Legal$65,750Human Services$56,250Youth Development$35,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetNEW HAVEN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND IDEAS INC: $66,500 over 1y, 2.3% of budgetRocky Mountain Institute: $51,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetIN THE HEART OF THE BEAST PUPPET AND MAS: $35,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetCHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF MINNESOTA: $35,000 over 1y, 3.7% of budgetCLEAN UP THE RIVER ENVIRONMENT: $30,000 over 1y, 7.8% of budgetCLEAN WISCONSIN INC: $30,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetTHE BRIDGE FOR YOUTH: $30,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetCLEAN GRID ALLIANCE (FNA WIND ON THE WIRES): $30,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: $25,400 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetNEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetTHE CONNECTICUT PLAYERS FOUNDATION INC D/B/A LONG WHARF THEATRE: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetHENNEPIN SCHOOLS: $25,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetWISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS: $25,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetCENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE ELM SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: $25,000 over 1y, 6.0% of budgetVENN FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 2.3% of budget1000 FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN: $25,000 over 1y, 8.1% of budgetFRIENDS CENTER FOR CHILDREN INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetUpper Mississippi Academy: $24,656 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetTHREADS DANCE PROJECT: $21,500 over 1y, 13% of budgetMIGIZI Communications Inc: $20,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetSIMPSON HOUSING SERVICES INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetThe Connecticut Appleseed Center for Law and Justice inc: $20,000 over 1y, 11% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES: $20,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetCOMPAS INC: $15,700 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetMinnesota Alliance With Youth: $15,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetSOMALI MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER: $15,000 over 1y, 5.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER OF THE MIDWEST: $15,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE BLAKE SCHOOL: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS TOOL LIBRARY: $12,000 over 1y, 9.6% of budgetGirl Scouts of Connecticut Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWhittier Alliance: $10,000 over 1y, 3.6% of budgetSPECIAL OLYMPICS CONNECTICUT INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE VERMONT CENTER FOR ECOSTUDIES INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMINNEAPOLIS SOCIETY OF FINE ARTS DBA MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCROSBY FUND FOR HAITIAN EDUC INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budget350 COLORADO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetSageland Collaborative: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBEEBE MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCLIMATE GENERATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWALDORF SCHOOL ASSOC OF SEATTLE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetACTOR'S GANG INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWYOFILE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetOSPREY WILDS ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE HENRY NEHRLING SOCIETY INC: $1,000 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetDUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY: $850 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The McKnight Foundati…The Minneapolis Found…Saint Paul & Minnesot…Newalliance Foundatio…The Community Foundat…Margaret a Cargill Fo…Yale UniversityWilliam Caspar Graust…Mightycause Charitabl…PatagoniaorgJohn and Denise Grave…United Way of Greater…
The McKnight FoundationMN51.9× affinity26 shared granteesties to 9 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The McKnight Foundation · The Minneapolis Foundation · Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation · Newalliance Foundation Inc · The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven · Margaret a Cargill Foundation · Yale University · William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Patagoniaorg · John and Denise Graves Foundation · United Way of Greater New Haven Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 99 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2019, released 2019. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2024) is on record and reports $2.0M of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2019, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Carolyn’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home