Remick Family Foundation

The Remick Family Foundation is an invitation-only family foundation that explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests or letters of inquiry. This fundamentally shapes the approach strategy: direct cold outreach will not work.

However, understanding the foundation's values and grantmaking patterns can inform indirect relationship-building. The foundation is governed entirely by Remick family members, each with distinct passions: Sara Remick Sullivan (pediatric healthcare, underserved children), Joseph Remick (disadvantaged youth through education and creative arts), Matt Remick (addiction and recovery), David Remick (community uplift), and Andrew Remick (dignity and empowerment). Jack and MaryAnn Remick founded the organization with a stated hope that their philanthropic endeavors would inspire future generations.

The grantmaking reflects Catholic social teaching values — anchor recipients include Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, Saint John's University (Benedictine), and Salvation Army. Organizations aligned with Catholic social justice principles (human dignity, preferential option for the poor, subsidiarity) are overrepresented in the portfolio.

For organizations seeking this foundation's support, the most productive paths are: (1) Build relationships through shared networks — particularly Catholic institutional networks, Rochester MN community networks, and the specific cities where grants concentrate (Baltimore, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Rochester, Saint Paul). (2) Demonstrate alignment with one of the four focus pillars: education, food security, housing, or healthcare. (3) Maintain visibility in the nonprofit ecosystem — the foundation does seek new grantees (12% success rate), suggesting they actively scan for aligned organizations.

The foundation's $40.5 million asset base and $1.45 million annual giving represent a payout rate of approximately 3.6%, below the IRS minimum of 5%. This suggests either qualifying distributions through other means or potential for increased grantmaking in coming years.

The Remick Family Foundation underwent a dramatic financial transformation in 2020 that fundamentally changed its grantmaking capacity.

Pre-2020, the foundation operated on a modest scale: total assets were approximately $4.6 million in 2019, with annual giving around $150,000. In 2020, the foundation received $18.3 million in contributions — likely representing a major wealth transfer event — that expanded assets tenfold.

Post-2020 financial trajectory: - 2019: $4.6M assets, $150K giving, 0 staff - 2020: $18.3M contributions received - 2022: 16 awards - 2023: 17 awards, ~$37M assets - 2024: 18 awards, $1.45M total giving, $40.5M assets

FY2024 revenue of $8.05 million was driven by asset sales (82.3%) and dividends (12.7%), with $6.49 million in net income after $1.57 million in total expenses. Charitable disbursements of $1.45 million represent 92.7% of total expenses, reflecting minimal overhead (no paid staff, all family directors serve without compensation).

Grant sizes range from $10,000 to $500,000, with the majority clustered between $50,000 and $200,000. Saint John's University consistently receives the largest single award at $500,000 annually. The grant count has been remarkably stable at 16-18 awards per year since 2021.

The foundation's current payout rate of approximately 3.6% ($1.45M / $40.5M) is below the standard 5% minimum distribution, which may indicate either (a) qualifying distributions through set-asides or other mechanisms not captured in giving totals, or (b) upcoming increases in annual grantmaking to meet IRS requirements.

The Remick Family Foundation occupies a specific niche: a mid-sized, invitation-only Catholic-aligned family foundation in Minnesota with national reach. The table below positions it against relevant peers.

Key differentiators: The Remick Family Foundation is smaller than most Minnesota peer foundations but shares the Catholic institutional alignment with GHR Foundation and Schulze Family Foundation. Its invitation-only model is more restrictive than peers, and its annual giving ($1.45M) is modest relative to its $40.5M asset base — the lowest payout rate among these peers. However, the foundation's lean structure (no staff, no overhead) means virtually every dollar of expense goes directly to grants. The 2020 capital infusion suggests this is a foundation still scaling into its full capacity.

The Remick Family Foundation's four-pillar focus (education, food security, housing, healthcare) is broader than most peer family foundations, which tend to concentrate on two to three areas. Its 10-state geographic spread is also unusually broad for a family foundation of this size.

The Remick Family Foundation maintained its steady grantmaking cadence through 2023-2024, with 17 and 18 grants awarded respectively, totaling approximately $1.45 million in 2024.

The foundation's financial position strengthened significantly in FY2024, with total revenue reaching $8.05 million — driven largely by asset sales (82.3% of revenue) and dividend income. Total assets stood at $40.5 million with zero liabilities, and net income of $6.49 million further built the endowment.

Key ongoing grant relationships include Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN (receiving ~$500,000 annually, the largest single grant), Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore ($200,000-$275,000), American Red Cross in Rochester ($150,000), Salvation Army in Rochester ($100,000-$150,000), and Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis ($100,000-$150,000).

The foundation's website (remickfamilyfoundation.org) was updated to clearly state the invitation-only policy and provide contact information. The directors page features personal statements from each family member articulating their individual philanthropic passions, suggesting an intentional effort to communicate the foundation's values and identity to the nonprofit community.

Foundation leadership remained stable with Mary Ann Remick as President, John D. Remick as Secretary/Treasurer, and five additional family members as trustees: David Remick, Sara Remick Sullivan, Matthew Remick, Andrew Remick, and Joseph Remick.

Critical: This is an invitation-only foundation. The Remick Family Foundation explicitly states: 'Grants are by invitation. Currently, the Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests or letters of inquiry.' Sending uninvited proposals will not result in funding.

1. Do not send unsolicited applications. This cannot be overstated. Cold emails, LOIs, and proposals are explicitly unwelcome.

2. Build relationships through shared networks. The foundation's Catholic institutional alignment (CRS, Catholic Charities, Saint John's University) suggests that visibility within Catholic charitable networks may lead to invitation. Rochester MN community connections and relationships with existing grantees may also create pathways.

3. Understand each director's passion area. Sara Remick Sullivan focuses on pediatric health and underserved families. Joseph Remick champions youth education and creative arts. Matt Remick supports addiction recovery. David Remick cares about community uplift. Andrew Remick focuses on dignity and empowerment. If your organization's work aligns with a specific director's interests, that increases the likelihood of invitation.

4. Align with one of four pillars. Education, food security, safe/affordable housing, and healthcare access are the stated priority areas. The stronger your alignment with one of these, the better.

5. Demonstrate equity, justice, and sustainability. The foundation's mission explicitly champions these values. Frame your work in these terms if invited to submit.

6. Be patient. With only 16-18 grants per year and a 12% success rate for new applicants the foundation discovers, this is a long-term relationship play, not a quick funding source.

7. Contact information for general inquiries: info@remickfamilyfoundation.org | P.O. Box 6532, Rochester, MN 55903-6532.