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The Common Foundation is a private corporation based in WAYZATA, MN. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1987. It holds total assets of $9.5M. Annual income is reported at $469K. Total assets have decreased from $14.9M in 2011 to $9.5M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2024. According to available records, The Common Foundation has made 2 grants totaling $64K, with a median grant of $32K. Grant recipients are concentrated in Minnesota. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Common Foundation is a tightly-held private family foundation. No public grant program exists: the website is dead, no application guidelines have been published, and only 1 grant per year is awarded at $262,500. This foundation is not recommended for unsolicited applications. The Oswald and Umbarger family directors are the sole decision-makers. A warm introduction through Minnesota philanthropic networks (e.g., Minnesota Council on Foundations) is the only viable path. Cold applications are not viable.
Annual giving: $262,500 (1 grant/year, consistent 2022 and 2024). Historical high: $12,829,555 (2018, asset drawdown). Focus: philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking — Minnesota-centric. Unsolicited applications: not accepted. No published RFPs or grant cycles. Asset base: ~$9.5M (mid-size private foundation).
Comparable Minnesota private family foundations in the $5M-$15M asset range include the Greater Wayzata Community Foundation (community-focused, accepts proposals) and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (larger, structured programs). The Common Foundation is notably less transparent and accessible than peer foundations of similar size.
2024: 1 grant, $262,500 total. 2023: did not e-file. 2022: 1 grant, $262,500 total. 2018: $12.8M granted (major asset drawdown). Website went dead (ad redirect). No press releases, announcements, or news coverage found for 2024-2026.
Do not cold-apply — no portal or guidelines exist. Research personal connections to Julie Oswald, Charley Umbarger, or Louis Umbarger. Attend Minnesota Council on Foundations events for networking. Monitor thecommon.org for potential website reactivation. Focus grant-seeking efforts on peer foundations with open processes.
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No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
Annual giving: $262,500 (1 grant/year, consistent 2022 and 2024). Historical high: $12,829,555 (2018, asset drawdown). Focus: philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking — Minnesota-centric. Unsolicited applications: not accepted. No published RFPs or grant cycles. Asset base: ~$9.5M (mid-size private foundation).
The Common Foundation has distributed a total of $64K across 2 grants. The median grant size is $32K, with an average of $32K. Individual grants have ranged from $32K to $32K.
The Common Foundation is a tightly-held private family foundation. No public grant program exists: the website is dead, no application guidelines have been published, and only 1 grant per year is awarded at $262,500. This foundation is not recommended for unsolicited applications. The Oswald and Umbarger family directors are the sole decision-makers. A warm introduction through Minnesota philanthropic networks (e.g., Minnesota Council on Foundations) is the only viable path. Cold applications ar.
The Common Foundation is headquartered in WAYZATA, MN.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louis Umbarger | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Charley Umbarger | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Julie Oswald | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$9.5M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$9.5M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
2
Total Giving
$64K
Average Grant
$32K
Median Grant
$32K
Unique Recipients
1
Most Common Grant
$32K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| See Statement AUNRESTRICTED - SEE DETAIL IN STATEMENT A | Addresses On File, MN | $32K | 2022 |