The Bwbr Foundation
St Paul, MN · EIN 26-1280877. Reported 299 grants totalling $317,214 to 101 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Bwbr Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $1,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $1,000; the smallest was $300 and the largest $8,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Architectural Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $20,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Canvas Health Inc | Oakdale, MN | $11,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Avera Health Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | $9,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| University of Mn Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $8,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | $7,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Food Bank for the Heartland | Omaha, NE | $6,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Greater Twin Cities United Way | Minneapolis, MN | $6,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Hennepin Health Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $6,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Merrick Community Services | Saint Paul, MN | $6,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Carleton College | Northfield, MN | $5,700 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| University of Wisconsin River Falls Foundation | River Falls, WI | $5,700 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| The Family Partnership | Minneapolis, MN | $5,550 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Latino Academy of Workforce Development | Madison, WI | $5,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter, MN | $5,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Saint Catherine's University | Saint Paul, MN | $5,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Saint John's University | Collegeville, MN | $5,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| University of Northwestern - St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $5,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $5,200 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Pine Rest Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Meriter Foundation | Madison, WI | $4,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| NAMI Dane County | Madison, WI | $4,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Bethel University | St Paul, MN | $4,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake, IA | $4,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Carroll University Inc | Waukesha, WI | $4,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon, IA | $4,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Hamline University | Saint Paul, MN | $4,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Metropolitan State University Foundation | Saint Paul, MN | $4,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County | Madison, WI | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Lakewood Health System Foundation | Staples, MN | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Monument Health Network Inc | Rapid City, SD | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Regions Hospital Foundation | Saint Paul, MN | $4,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Wisconsin Architects Foundation | Madison, WI | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| University of Wisconsin Platteville Foundation | Platteville, WI | $3,700 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation | Watertown, SD | $3,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Saint Elizabeth Foundation | Lincoln, NE | $3,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Saints Foundation | Shakopee, MN | $3,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Oschner Health | New Orleans, LA | $3,250 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | $3,200 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | $3,100 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Architectural Foundation of Nebraska | Lincoln, NE | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Aurora Health Care Foundation | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Centracare Health Foundation | St Cloud, MN | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Fairview Foundation | Saint Paul, MN | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Froedtert Hospital Foundation Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Lakeview Health Foundation | Stillwater, MN | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Memorial Medical Center Inc | Ashland, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Middleton Outreach Ministry | Middleton, WI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| North Dakota State University Foundation | Fargo, ND | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin | Madison, WI | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Hearts and Hammers - Twin Cities Inc | Roseville, MN | $2,914 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| NAMI Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $2,800 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Ace Mentorship Program of the Twin Cities Inc | Minneapolis, MN | $2,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Climate Generation - a Will Steger Legacy | Minneapolis, MN | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| NAMI Nebraska | Omaha, NE | $2,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Park Nicollet Foundation | St Louis Park, MN | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | Madison, WI | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Ace Madison | Milwaukee, WI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Aia Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Allina Health Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boys Town Foundation | Boys Town, NE | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Essentia Health Foundation | Duluth, MN | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Father Flanagan's Boys' Home | Boys Town, NE | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Gillette Children's Foundation | Saint Paul, MN | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| National Organization of Minority Architects Minneapolis - St Paul | Baton Rouge, LA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Northfield Hospital Foundation | Northfield, MN | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Public Art Saint Paul | St Paul, MN | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ridgeview Medical Center | Waconia, MN | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Seattle Children's Hospital | Seattle, WA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| United Way of Dane County Inc | Madison, WI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| United Way of the Midlands | Omaha, NE | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Wayforward Resources Inc | Middleton, WI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Children's Minnesota Foundation | Edina, MN | $1,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Crown College | St Bonifacius, MN | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Friends of the Mississippi River | Saint Paul, MN | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Regina Foundation | Hastings, MN | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Richland Hospital Foundation | Richland Center, WI | $1,400 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Advocate Charitable Foundation | Oak Brook, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Bryan Health | Crete, NE | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chi Health Foundation | Omaha, NE | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Dorothy Day Residence | Saint Paul, MN | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc | La Crosse, WI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Journey Mental Health Center Inc | Madison, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mercyhealth Development Foundation Inc | Rockford, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Neighborhood House | Saint Paul, MN | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Nine Lives Thrift | St Paul, MN | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Partnership Resources Inc | Minneapolis, MN | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Pillsbury United Communities | Minneapolis, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ridgeview Sibley Medical Foundation | Arlington, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Science Museum of Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| St Elizabeth's Community Development Foundation | Wabasha, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Society | St Paul, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Tomah Health Community Foundation | Tomah, WI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Women in Healthcare Inc | Ellicott City, MD | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Art From the Inside | Maplewood, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Aspirus Health Foundation Inc | Wausau, WI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Lake Region Healthcare Foundation | Fergus Falls, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Nine Lives | St Paul, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconson | Madison, WI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Croix Valley Healthcare Foundation | St Croix Falls, WI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Luke's Foundation | Duluth, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Young Builders and Designers | Minneapolis, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
80 of 101 (79%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 79%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is unusually consistent. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Minnesota Architectural Foundation
CLARENCE WIGINGTON SCHOLARSHIP - Aia Minnesota
WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE FUND - Froedtert Hospital Foundation Inc
FROEDTERT & THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN - Bryan Health
CRETE AREA MEDICAL CENTER
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 199 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43 | $54,825 | $1,100 |
| 2022 | 54 | $61,850 | $1,000 |
| 2023 | 62 | $66,222 | $1,000 |
| 2024 | 71 | $63,617 | $1,000 |
| 2025 | 69 | $70,700 | $1,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
58% of its giving went to organizations in Minnesota. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $1,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Minnesota.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Bwbr Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 380 St Peter Street 600, St Paul, MN, 55102. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 26-1280877 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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