Fred C And Katherine B Andersen Foundation

The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, established in 1959 in Bayport, Minnesota, takes a community-centered approach to grantmaking rooted in the belief that charitable giving advances and builds thriving communities. The foundation operates as a hands-on funder that works closely with grantees, offering support beyond financial grants. Its strategy centers on providing resources to nonprofit organizations that improve quality of life primarily in the St. Croix Valley region spanning Minnesota and Wisconsin. The foundation prioritizes organizations providing essential services to communities in the region, with a particular emphasis on healthcare (its largest giving area), affordable housing, youth education, basic needs, employment services, civic projects, and environmental education. Unlike many foundations of its size, the Andersen Foundation maintains a relatively accessible application process with three annual grant cycles and an online application system introduced in 2023. The foundation welcomes requests for general operations, programs, and projects, with capital requests considered on a more limited basis. This operational flexibility allows the foundation to support organizations at various stages and for various purposes.

The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation holds $1.67 billion in assets and distributed $59.8 million across 271 grants in 2024. The foundation has maintained consistent giving over recent years, distributing between 213-279 annual grants. Grant sizes range widely from $1,000 to $22 million, though the majority of grants fall under $500,000. The typical range for programmatic grants is $5,000 to $4 million. Healthcare is the largest single category of giving, including support for hospitals, health centers, and mental/chemical health programs. The geographic distribution centers on Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the St. Croix Valley as the primary focus area and the Twin Cities metropolitan area as a secondary focus. Some grants extend to Texas and other states. The foundation does not fund individuals, political campaigns, sponsorships, lobbying activities, or endowments, maintaining clear boundaries around its charitable mission. At a 3.6% payout rate relative to assets, the foundation has room to increase giving while maintaining compliance with the 5% minimum distribution requirement for private foundations.

The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation is one of three Andersen-family foundations based in Bayport, alongside the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation and the Andersen Corporate Foundation. Together, they form a significant cluster of philanthropic resources for the St. Croix Valley region. The Fred C. and Katherine B. foundation is by far the largest of the three, with assets roughly 8x larger than Hugh J. and giving roughly 7x more annually. Compared to other major Minnesota foundations like Bush and McKnight, the Andersen Foundation is notable for its intensely local geographic focus while maintaining a comparable giving level to Bush. Its hands-on community approach distinguishes it from the more programmatic models of McKnight or Bush.

The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation has continued its steady community-focused grantmaking through 2024-2025. The foundation distributed $59.8 million across 271 grants in 2024, maintaining its position as one of the largest funders in the St. Croix Valley region. The foundation modernized its application process in 2023 by transitioning to an online application system, simplifying the process for prospective grantees. In parallel, the sister Andersen Corporate Foundation announced over $1.9 million in spring 2025 grants to 92 nonprofit organizations, reflecting the broader Andersen family commitment to community philanthropy. The foundation continues to operate three annual grant cycles, with its most recent cycle opening August 1 and closing September 30, with results communicated in December. Healthcare remains the dominant area of support, with significant grants to hospital foundations and health systems, alongside growing investments in affordable housing for families and seniors, youth education initiatives, and environmental education. The foundation maintains its Bayport, Minnesota headquarters and continues to be led by Board Chair Peter Clements and Director John D. Piepel.

To successfully apply to the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, keep these strategies in mind: (1) Ensure your organization operates in or directly serves the St. Croix Valley region of Minnesota and Wisconsin, or the greater Twin Cities metro area — geographic alignment is a primary filter. (2) Apply through the online system at fredckatherinebandersenfoundation.org during one of three annual grant cycles (roughly March, June, and October deadlines). (3) Frame your request around building thriving communities and improving quality of life — this language mirrors the foundation's core mission. (4) Healthcare proposals tend to receive the largest grants; if your work touches mental health, chemical health, or community health, highlight those connections. (5) General operating support and program grants are welcomed — you do not need to propose a new project. Capital requests may be considered but on a more limited basis. (6) Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit; the foundation does not fund individuals, political campaigns, sponsorships, lobbying, or endowments. (7) For questions, contact Kim Borton at kim.borton@fkandersen.org or info@fkandersen.org, or call 651-264-7355. (8) Given the foundation's hands-on approach, demonstrate your organization's capacity for collaboration and transparent reporting.