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Pamela Bakken Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Pamela Bakken Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$90k
Granted FY2025still arriving
12
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Human Services$89kPhilanthropy$73kReligion$65kEducation$50kHealth$50kAnimals$42kPublic Safety & Disaster$18kRecreation & Sports$17kOther$0
02FY2025 · 12 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k8 grants · $28k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $62k
$5,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$1.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE$25,000
PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION$15,000
Individual grant recipient$12,400
ELKS LODGE 2221$10,000
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC$5,000
ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA$5,000
CAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES$5,000
CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION$5,000
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES$3,000
PRIOR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT$3,000
CEDAR LAKE CONSERVATION CLUB$1,000
PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION$1,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY24–24, $5k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%HOMELESS & WOUNDED WARRIORS-MN: $5k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$416k · 21 repeat orgs$42k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +10% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

21 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2025, 11 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

21
6

Total granted

$416k
$19k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+10%
0%

Still filing today

52%
33%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 75% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $22k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24’25
PhilanthropyHealthEducationAnimalsArts & CulturePublic Safety & DisasterOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • SV
    SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE
    3× · 2023–2025 · $75k · revenue +49%
  • UO
    University of St Thomas
    3× · 2020–2024 · $50k · revenue +34%
  • TB
    THE BAKKEN
    2× · 2020–2021 · $10k · revenue +2%

Funded once

  • HW
    HOMELESS & WOUNDED WARRIORS-MN
    one grant, 2024 · $5k · revenue 0%
  • AL
    AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS MN MINNESOTANORTH DAKOTASOUTH DAKOTA
    one grant, 2021 · $5k · revenue -100%
  • MA
    MAKE A WISH
    one grant, 2021 · $5k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its 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
Minnesota Medical Association

To be the leading voice of medicine to make minnesota the healthiest state and the best place to practice.

—
2
Minnesota Land Trust

The minnesota land trust protects and restores minnesota's most vital natural lands in order to provide wildlife habitat, clean water, outdoor experiences and scenic beauty for generations to come.

Environment
3
Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota Foundation Inc

To assist in providing for the rehabilitation and continuing welfare of america's disabled veterans, their families, dependents, and survivors.

Human Services
4
Disabled American Veterans Department of Minnesota Inc

To assist in providing for the rehabilitation and continuing welfare of america's disabled veterans, their families, dependents and survivors.

—
5
The Minnesota Camp Fire Foundation

Ensure camp fire minnesota's strong future. with nature as the catalyst, camp fire minnesota energizes youth to discover their spark so their futures glow brighter.

Youth Development
6
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association

Supporting and empowering veterinary professionals, advancing animal well-being and promoting public health.

—
7
American Water Works Association

To promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of drinking water and the development and furtherance of understanding of the problems relating thereto.

Public Benefit
8
Minnesota Hospital Association

Advance the health of individuals and communities through leadership, advocacy and collaboration on behalf of minnesota hospitals and health systems. vision: minnesotans are healthy and have access to the right care at the right time in…

Community Improvement
9
Minnesota State University Student Association Inc

Led by minnesota state university students, we are the inclusive voice for all future, current, and former students. we actively work to represent and support minnesota state university students and advocate at a campus, state, and federal…

Education
10
Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States Inc

The fsmb serves as the voice for state medical boards, supporting them through education, assessment, research and advocacy while providing services and initiatives that promote patient safety, quality health care and regulatory best…

Health
11
Minnesota Council on Foundations

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

—
12
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…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Minnesota State Fair Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Adopt a Husky Minnesota. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

13 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. 13 of the 29 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
13/13
Grantees still filing
8/13
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE: $75,000 · OtherSOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCESHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH: $55,000 · OtherSHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCHGOLDEN GOPHER FUND: $19,600 · OtherGOLDEN GOPHER FUNDCAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIES: $15,000 · OtherCAP AGENCY OF SCOTT CARVER & DAKOTA COUNTIESAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: $15,000 · OtherAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETYIndividual grant recipient: $12,400 · OtherALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION OF MN AND ND: $12,000 · OtherSNOWMASS CHAPEL: $10,000 · OtherELKS LODGE 2221: $10,000 · Other+12 more: $51,200 · Other+12 morePRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION: $63,000 · PhilanthropyPRIOR LAKE ROTARY …MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION: $10,000 · PhilanthropyMINNESOTA STATE FA…University of St Thomas: $50,000 · EducationUniversity o…ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA: $22,000 · AnimalsCHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION: $10,000 · HealthALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $7,500 · HealthTHE BAKKEN: $10,000 · Arts & CultureMountain Rescue Aspen Inc: $10,000 · Public Safety & Disaster
Other$275,200Philanthropy$73,000Education$50,000Animals$22,000Health$17,500Arts & Culture$10,000Public Safety & Disaster$10,000

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 budgetSOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE: $75,000 over 3y, 2.5% of budgetPRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION: $63,000 over 4y, 2.3% of budgetUniversity of St Thomas: $50,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA: $22,000 over 6y, 5.7% of budgetCHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE BAKKEN: $10,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetMINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetMountain Rescue Aspen Inc: $10,000 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $7,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetVeterans of Foreign Wars of The United States: $5,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHOMELESS & WOUNDED WARRIORS-MN: $5,000 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetAMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS MN MINNESOTANORTH DAKOTASOUTH DAKOTA: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER: $3,000 over 3y, 0.1% 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.

  • Who funds SOUTHERN VALLEY ALLIANCE ↗
  • Who funds PRIOR LAKE ROTARY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds University of St Thomas ↗
  • Who funds ADOPT A HUSKY MINNESOTA ↗
  • Who funds CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds THE BAKKEN ↗
  • Who funds MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds Mountain Rescue Aspen Inc ↗
  • Who funds ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC ↗
  • Who funds Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States ↗
  • Who funds HOMELESS & WOUNDED WARRIORS-MN ↗
  • Who funds AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS MN MINNESOTANORTH DAKOTASOUTH DAKOTA ↗
  • Who funds WOLF RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER ↗

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 Minneapolis Found…Mightycause Charitabl…Ch Robinson Worldwide…The Richard M Schulze…Saint Paul & Minnesot…Xcel Energy FoundationNational Philanthropi…Vanguard Charitable E…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
The Minneapolis FoundationMN14.5× affinity5 shared granteesties to 10 of 10Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Minneapolis Foundation · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Ch Robinson Worldwide Foundation · The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation · Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation · Xcel Energy Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

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.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Pamela Bakken Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Pamela Bakken Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%15%30%45%60%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    3report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–60%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    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 29 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 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Pamela Bakken’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