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Robert W Carlson Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Robert W Carlson 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.

$28k
Granted FY2025still arriving
8
Grants FY2025still arriving
2
States reached
$5k
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, FY2017 to 2025.

Education$137kPhilanthropy$82kHealth$74kArts & Culture$42kYouth Development$14kEnvironment$11kAnimals$10kCommunity Improvement$10kOther$0
02FY2025 · 8 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

$5,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$1.0M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
PROJECT BUILD- SOUTHWEST FLORDIA$5,000
ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL$5,000
URBAN ROOTS$5,000
DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY$5,000
EDALLIES$5,000
HAZELDEN FOUNDATION$1,000
MAYO CLINIC$1,000
ST MARY'S GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH$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 (FY17–24, $8k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, 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%PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS: $2k → 10%PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS: $2k → 10%PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS: $1k → 10%BABY'S SPACE: $1k → 11%BABY'S SPACE: $1k → 11%BABY'S SPACE: $1k → 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.

94%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$368k · 28 repeat orgs$21k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +31% since the first grant, against +28% for those funded once.

28 repeat relationships: 6 still active in FY2025, 22 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

28
17

Total granted

$368k
$20k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+31%
+28%

Still filing today

71%
76%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 96% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $1k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthEducationPhilanthropyHuman ServicesArts & CultureInternationalOther
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

  • UO
    UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
    7× · 2017–2023 · $71k · revenue +105%
  • HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION
    5× · 2017–2025 · $23k · revenue +24%
  • DC
    DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
    4× · 2021–2025 · $20k · revenue +38%

Funded once

  • FD
    FIRST DOWN FUND
    one grant, 2017 · $5k
  • SR
    Steve Rummler Hope Networkgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $2k · revenue +166%
  • EA
    EMPOWERS AFRICA INCgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $2k · revenue +595%
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 Council on Foundations

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

—
3
The Minneapolis Foundation

The foundation cultivates generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a…

Philanthropy
4
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…

—
5
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…

—
6
University of Minnesota Foundation Investment Advisors

To provide the highest level of stewardship for university donors through professional management and oversight of the university of minnesota foundation's assets by creating a focused investment environment with clarity of purpose,…

Education
7
Children's Health Care

We champion the health needs of children and families. we are committed to improving children's health by providing the highest-quality, family centered care, advanced through research and education.

Health
8
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Purpose: we inspire, advocate and invest to advance community visions. continued on sch o

Philanthropy
9
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
10
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Inc

Sarasota memorial healthcare foundation is the philanthropic partner that helps sarasota memorial health care system bring world-class care to our community.

Health
11
Minnesota State Fair Foundation

The minnesota state fair foundation's mission is to preserve and improve the historic minnesota state fairgrounds and support state fair programs and projects in agriculture, arts & culture, education, the environment, and history.

Philanthropy
12
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
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Children's Health Care Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Fagen Fighters Wwii Museum. 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

36 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. 36 of the 48 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)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
35/36
Grantees still filing
26/36
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CHILDREN'S MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: $40,000 · OtherCHILDREN'S MINNESOTA FOUNDATIONNCH CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY: $37,500 · OtherNCH CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPYCHAMPIONS FOR LEARNING: $12,000 · OtherCHAMPIONS FOR LEARNINGASCENSION CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL: $11,000 · OtherASCENSION CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOLPROJECT BUILD- SOUTHWEST FLORDIA: $10,000 · OtherPROJECT BUILD- SOUTHWEST FLORDIAURBAN ROOTS MN: $10,000 · OtherURBAN ROOTS MNNAPLES MUSUEUM OF ART: $10,000 · OtherNAPLES MUSUEUM OF ART+17 more: $30,900 · Other+17 moreUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: $71,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDAT…DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY: $20,000 · EducationDUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGYEd Allies: $10,000 · EducationEd AlliesPEASE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $6,200 · EducationPEASE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION+2 more: $3,000 · EducationHAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION: $23,000 · HealthHAZELDEN BETTY FOR…CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION: $12,000 · HealthCHILDREN'S HEALTH …MAYO CLINIC: $9,000 · HealthMAYO CLINICPCD KS FOUNDATION: $7,000 · HealthPCD KS FOUNDATIONGILDA'S CLUB TWIN CITIES INC: $5,000 · HealthGILDA'S CLUB TWIN …TREEHOUSE INC: $3,000 · HealthCYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION: $3,000 · Health+4 more: $4,250 · Health+4 moreARTIS-NAPLES INC: $30,000 · Arts & Culture+1 more: $1,000 · Arts & CultureCHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND: $8,000 · Philanthropy30-DAYS FOUNDATION: $3,000 · PhilanthropyBRANCHING OUT IN NEW DIRECTIONS: $500 · PhilanthropyAnimal Humane Society: $10,000 · AnimalsNAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN INC: $9,000 · Environment
Other$161,400Education$110,200Health$66,250Arts & Culture$31,000Philanthropy$11,500Animals$10,000Environment$9,000

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: $71,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetARTIS-NAPLES INC: $30,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetHAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION: $23,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetDUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY: $20,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetCHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION: $12,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetURBAN ROOTS MN: $10,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetEd Allies: $10,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetAnimal Humane Society: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMAYO CLINIC: $9,000 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetNAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN INC: $9,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetCHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND: $8,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetPCD KS FOUNDATION: $7,000 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetPEASE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $6,200 over 2y, 5.3% of budgetGolden PAWS Assistance Dogs Inc: $5,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetGILDA'S CLUB TWIN CITIES INC: $5,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetBABY'S SPACE A PLACE TO GROW: $3,200 over 3y, 0.1% of budget30-DAYS FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 3y, 1.5% of budgetTREEHOUSE INC: $3,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetSteve Rummler Hope Network: $2,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetEMPOWERS AFRICA INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMAGNUS VETERANS FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetFOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION MINNESOTA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFAGEN FIGHTERS WWII MUSEUM: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetJUXTAPOSITION ARTS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE EDINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE ANDREW MCDONOUGH B FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMINNEAPOLIS POLICE FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetTree Trust: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBEST CHRISTMAS EVER INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTRUE FRIENDS: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBRANCHING OUT IN NEW DIRECTIONS: $500 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $250 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 Minneapolis Found…Saint Paul & Minnesot…The Richard M Schulze…Mightycause Charitabl…Otto Bremer TrustXcel Energy FoundationAB CarVal FoundationWem FoundationMinneapolis Jewish Fe…The Walser FoundationMortenson Family Foun…Catholic Community Fo…
The Minneapolis FoundationMN26.6× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Minneapolis Foundation · Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation · The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Otto Bremer Trust · Xcel Energy Foundation · AB CarVal Foundation · Wem Foundation · Minneapolis Jewish Federation · The Walser Foundation · Mortenson Family Foundation · Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota

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 Robert W Carlson Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Robert W Carlson Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 30%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%8%15%22%30%share of the org’s income from government →median 3%
  • Naples Botanical Garden Inc: 3% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
3get no government money at all
6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–30%
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 48 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 Robert W Carlson’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