Getting to Know the Engelsma Family Foundation’s Low-Key Minnesota Giving

While some Minnesota-based foundations engage in high-profile philanthropy and are well-known in local communities, other grantmakers funding in the state fly under radar and are more difficult to get to know. One such funder is the Engelsma Family Foundation (EFF), which does not have a website but gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to Minnesota nonprofits each year.

To help nonprofits get to know EFF a bit better, here are some observations and insights.

Largely focused on Minnesota

EFF is based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is in far eastern South Dakota and right next to the Minnesota state line. The bulk of EFF grants go to groups based in Minneapolis and St. Paul. EFF has been on the local grantmaking scene since 2003 and tends to give around the same amount in total grants each year.

Areas of interest

Most EFF grants fall into the categories of education, health, human services and animals. The foundation gravitates toward well-established educational institutions and national organizations with personal connections to family members. Examples of Minnesota grantees include Youthprise, OneVillage Partners, Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation and the Washburn Center for Children. National organizations funded by EFF include the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Association.

Common types of grantees include children’s health organizations, humane society groups, and Boys & Girls clubs. EFF occasionally makes a religious-oriented grant to a church or Christian organization. Overall, most EFF grants are for general operating support rather than for specific projects or for capital needs.

EFF leadership

This is a small family foundation without its own staff or extensive overhead. EFF uses the Dorsey Whitney Trust Company as its custodian and manager. Susan Wilcox serves as the foundation’s president and director, and there are approximately nine other directors who also serve the foundation. This is a family-run philanthropy and a somewhat challenging one to get to know.

Unsolicited funding requests not welcome

According to the most recent tax records available, EFF does not accept unsolicited requests for grants and only awards funds to pre-selected organizations. As such, the foundation does not make its grantmaking processes and strategies publicly available. Most grants are between $250 and $50,000 in size.

In our Upper Midwest & Plains funding guide, we feature profiles of many Minnesota-focused foundations, including the Engelsma Family Foundation. In that profile, we provide contact information to get in touch if you have general questions for EFF.

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