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Sanger Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Sanger Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$10M
Granted FY2022
62
Grants FY2022
15
States reached
$4.0M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0194% classified

What it funded, over time

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

Education$19MArts & Culture$1.2MFood & Nutrition$1.1MHuman Services$424kPhilanthropy$393kHealth$213kAnimals$96kCommunity Improvement$58kOther$0
02FY2022 · 62 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2022

  • Under $10k41 grants · $120k
  • $10k–50k11 grants · $145k
  • $50k–250k6 grants · $675k
  • $250k+4 grants · $9.2M
$5,000
Median grant
15
States reached
$63M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Depauw University$3,977,624
Depauw University$3,919,182
Partners in Food Solutions$1,009,652
Groves Academy$279,021
Depauw University$192,726
Salvation Army$176,905
Twin Cities United Way$152,455
ChadTough$51,202
Guthrie Theater$51,202
University of Michigan$50,276
University of Michigan$25,000
Minnesota Zoo Foundation$20,000
Greenlight Fund$20,000
Lynn University$10,000
College Possible$10,000
02Its 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.
$20M · 28 repeat orgs$2.0M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +22% since the first grant, against +14% for those funded once.

28 repeat relationships: 27 still active in FY2022, 1 since wound down; 33 grantees were first funded in FY2022 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

28
85

Total granted

$20M
$683k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+22%
+14%

Still filing today

75%
22%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2022, 87% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $1.4M went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22
RenewedFirst-time

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

’19’20’21’22
HealthEducationHuman ServicesEnvironmentInternationalAnimalsOther
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

  • MZ
    MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION
    2× · 2021–2022 · $40k · revenue +82%
  • AH
    Animal Humane Society
    2× · 2021–2022 · $20k · revenue +62%
  • LU
    LYNN UNIVERSITY INC
    2× · 2021–2022 · $20k · revenue +34%

Funded once

  • DA
    DePauw Annual Fund
    one grant, 2021 · $186k
  • CF
    Chadtough Foundation
    one grant, 2019 · $50k
  • CD
    CHADTOUGH DEFEAT DIPG FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $50k · revenue +90%
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.

03Its 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
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
3
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
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
American Academy of Neurology

The Academy's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all.

Community Improvement
6
University of Minnesota Physicians

University of minnesota physicians serves as the integrated group practice for the university of minnesota medical school full-time faculty to provide the highest quality healthcare to patients and their families.university of minnesota…

Health
7
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The mission of mit is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

Education
8
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…

—
9
American Association for the Advancement of Science

Advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all. the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of cutting-edge research through its science family of journals,…

Science & Tech
10
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
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 Foundation

The organization's mission is to bring stakeholders together to promote prosperity and long-term growth of minnesota's economy.

Public Benefit
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 American Diabetes Association. 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

53 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

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 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 53 of the 146 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)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
53/53
Grantees still filing
39/53
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Depauw University: $16,840,379 · OtherDepauw UniversityUniversity of Michigan: $1,266,708 · OtherUniversity of MichiganGuthrie Theater: $1,079,437 · OtherPartners in Food Solutions: $1,009,652 · Other+107 more: $1,952,571 · Other+107 moreCHADTOUGH DEFEAT DIPG FOUNDATION: $50,000 · Human ServicesYOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTH: $20,000 · Human ServicesGREATER MINNEAPOLIS CRISIS NURSERY: $10,000 · Human ServicesOPEN ARMS OF MINNESOTA: $5,000 · Human ServicesCHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA: $5,000 · Human ServicesCAMPHILL VILLAGE MINNESOTA INC: $4,000 · Human ServicesGROVES ACADEMY: $23,000 · EducationLYNN UNIVERSITY INC: $20,000 · EducationCOLLEGE POSSIBLE INC: $20,000 · EducationDePauw University: $10,000 · EducationMITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW: $10,000 · EducationWalnut Hills High School Association: $5,000 · EducationWALNUT HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FOUNDATION: $5,000 · Education+1 more: $1,000 · EducationMINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION: $40,000 · AnimalsAnimal Humane Society: $20,000 · AnimalsPARENTS AS TEACHERS NATIONAL CENTER INC: $10,000 · HealthALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INC: $6,000 · HealthNEVER SURRENDER INC: $6,000 · HealthMAJESTIC HILLS RANCH FOUNDATION: $4,000 · HealthWashburn Center for Children: $3,000 · HealthAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC: $2,000 · HealthARTHRITIS FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 · HealthAMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION: $2,000 · HealthAmerican Heart Association Inc: $2,000 · HealthAmerican Diabetes Association: $2,000 · HealthCHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION: $1,750 · Health+4 more: $4,000 · HealthGREENLIGHT FUND INC: $40,000 · Community ImprovementUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $10,000 · InternationalPARTNERS IN FOOD SOLUTIONS: $10,000 · InternationalCOOPERATIVE FOR ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF EVERYWHERE INC: $1,000 · International
Other$22,148,747Human Services$94,000Education$94,000Animals$60,000Health$44,750Community Improvement$40,000International$21,000

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 budgetCHADTOUGH DEFEAT DIPG FOUNDATION: $50,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetGREENLIGHT FUND INC: $40,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION: $40,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetUniversity of Michigan: $25,000 over 1y, 7.6% of budgetGROVES ACADEMY: $23,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetAnimal Humane Society: $20,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetLYNN UNIVERSITY INC: $20,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetYOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTH: $20,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCOLLEGE POSSIBLE INC: $20,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDream of Wild Health: $15,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetPARK NICOLLET FOUNDATION: $11,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetGREATER MINNEAPOLIS CRISIS NURSERY: $10,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetNorthwestern University: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPARENTS AS TEACHERS NATIONAL CENTER INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetDePauw University: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAEON: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetINTERFAITH OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPARTNERS IN FOOD SOLUTIONS: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetST DAVID'S CENTER: $6,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INC: $6,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNEVER SURRENDER INC: $6,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetWalnut Hills High School Association: $5,000 over 1y, 4.2% of budgetThe Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Inc: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFOOD GROUP MINNESOTA INC THE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWALNUT HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetECONOMIC CLUB OF MINNESOTA: $5,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetPACER CENTER INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetOPEN ARMS OF MINNESOTA: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCenter of the American Experiment: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCAMPHILL VILLAGE MINNESOTA INC: $4,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMAJESTIC HILLS RANCH FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetWashburn Center for Children: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLake Minnetonka Association: $2,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetPEOPLE INCORPORATED: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetARTHRITIS FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican Diabetes Association: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION: $1,750 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHENNEPIN HEALTH FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOOPERATIVE FOR ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF EVERYWHERE INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetEPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 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 CHADTOUGH DEFEAT DIPG FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds GREENLIGHT FUND INC ↗
  • Who funds MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds University of Michigan ↗
  • Who funds GROVES ACADEMY ↗
  • Who funds Animal Humane Society ↗
  • Who funds LYNN UNIVERSITY INC ↗
  • Who funds YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTH ↗
  • Who funds COLLEGE POSSIBLE INC ↗
  • Who funds Dream of Wild Health ↗
  • Who funds PARK NICOLLET FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds GREATER MINNEAPOLIS CRISIS NURSERY ↗
  • Who funds Northwestern University ↗
  • Who funds PARENTS AS TEACHERS NATIONAL CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds DePauw University ↗
  • Who funds AEON ↗
  • Who funds UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF ↗
  • Who funds MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW ↗

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…Otto Bremer TrustMightycause Charitabl…Saint Paul & Minnesot…Robins Kaplan Foundat…The Richard M Schulze…Charities Aid Foundat…Minnesota Community F…The Blackbaud Giving …United Way WorldwideHugh J Andersen Found…Pohlad Family Foundat…
The Minneapolis FoundationMN27× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Minneapolis Foundation · Otto Bremer Trust · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation · Robins Kaplan Foundation · The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation · Charities Aid Foundation America · Minnesota Community Foundation · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · United Way Worldwide · Hugh J Andersen Foundation · Pohlad Family 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.
04Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Sanger Family Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Sanger Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

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 146 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 2022, released 2022. 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 $519k 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 FY2022, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Sanger Family’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