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Funder profile

Wem Foundation

Private foundation MNEIN 41-1604640

Wem Foundation is a private foundation based in MN (EIN 41-1604640). Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF filing reports about $359M in grants paid across 135 awards in 2023. Its largest giving areas are Arts Culture, Education, Healthcare. This profile is built from public 990-PF giving history — it reflects what the funder has actually funded, not an open call for proposals.

$359M
Grants paid (FY2023)
135
Grants awarded
$2.7M
Avg grant
$550K
Median grant
Arts CultureEducationHealthcareHuman ServicesCommunity DevelopmentEnvironment

Leadership & board

Officers, directors & key staff from Wem Foundation's IRS Form 990 (Part VII).

James Hield
DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT
$390K
Harriet S Norgren
DIRECTOR
$5K
Elizabeth S Macmillan
DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR/SEC

Who does the Wem Foundation fund?

The Wem Foundation is a private foundation that awards grants primarily in MN, FL, MT. According to its most recent IRS Form 990-PF filing (FY2023), it paid about $359M across 135 grants, concentrated in Arts Culture, Education, Healthcare and Human Services.

What types of organizations does the Wem Foundation fund?

The Wem Foundation's recent grants went to nonprofits and institutions working in Arts Culture, Education, Healthcare and Human Services. Recent recipients include Smithsonian Institution, Minneapolis Institute Of Art, The Learning Alliance. Because giving is reported in aggregate on the 990-PF, the best signal of fit is the funder's giving history below.

How much does the Wem Foundation give, and what is a typical grant?

In FY2023, the Wem Foundation awarded about $359M across 135 grants — an average grant of about $2.7M and a median of about $550K.

Where does the Wem Foundation award grants?

The Wem Foundation awards grants primarily in MN, FL, MT, based on the locations of the recipient organizations in its 990-PF giving records.

Does the Wem Foundation accept unsolicited grant applications?

Like most private foundations, the Wem Foundation generally does not publish an open application cycle — many fund by invitation or through existing relationships. This profile reflects the funder's giving history from public IRS Form 990-PF filings, not an open call for proposals. Always confirm the Wem Foundation's current guidelines before reaching out.

Who are recent Wem Foundation grant recipients?

Recent Wem Foundation grant recipients include Smithsonian Institution ($75M); Minneapolis Institute Of Art ($25M); The Learning Alliance ($20M); Williams College ($15M); Riverside Theatre ($10M); Vero Beach Museum Of Art ($10M). The full recipient list and giving history are available on GrantSonar.

Example Wem Foundation grant recipients

A sample from the funder's 990-PF giving records. The full list is on GrantSonar.

Smithsonian InstitutionDC$75M
Minneapolis Institute Of ArtMN$25M
The Learning AllianceFL$20M
Williams CollegeME$15M
Riverside TheatreFL$10M
Vero Beach Museum Of ArtFL$10M
Abbott Northwestern Hospital FoundationMN$10M
Minneapolis Parks FoundationMN$10M

Based on the Wem Foundation's public IRS Form 990-PF filings (most recent: FY2023). 990 data reflects giving history and typically lags 1–2 years; it is not an open call for proposals. Always confirm the funder's current guidelines before applying.

Built from 236,000+ U.S. grantmaking foundations and 4.6 million itemized grant records in public IRS Form 990 / 990-PF filings (135,000+ funders with itemized giving history).

See if the Wem Foundation fits your organization

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