What is withheld
perishes. What is given
takes root.
Since 1939
What is withheld perishes,
what is given takes root
in minds not our own,
in days we will not see.
We give in silence and in faith
that the world may grow more just,
more beautiful,
more whole.
At a time of compounding global disruption, this belief is not only intact, it is more urgent than ever. We are focused not on what is fleeting, but on what endures. That means investing in the dignity of people and the resilience of communities. It means standing beside those who imagine and build a world that is more just, more beautiful, and more whole.
We continue to expand our grantmaking and deploy every tool available to us, from long-term philanthropic capital to mission-aligned investment strategies. This work is global in reach and generational in ambition.
The highest annual disbursement in our history, with an annual charitable payout projected to remain well above 7 percent.
In 2024, we issued grants to more than 1,200 organizations in over 30 countries around the world.
More than 60 percent of our endowment is now invested with environmental, social, and governance criteria.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the Foundation's board approved a multi-year expansion of our grantmaking budget, unlocking hundreds of millions in additional capital.
In Minnesota and the greater Midwest, we supported partners advancing equitable access to housing, expanding public health infrastructure, growing a regionally rooted clean energy economy, and sustaining vibrant creative ecosystems.
Internationally, our funding supported frontline educators, community health systems, cultural preservation initiatives, and sustainable agriculture networks in low-income regions. We prioritize locally led organizations and long-term relationships built on trust.
Endowment & Mission Investments
The Foundation's endowment, one of the largest in private philanthropy, is being actively aligned with our mission.
We have doubled our commitment to program-related investments, expanding to a $250 million portfolio. These investments include low-interest capital to community lenders, patient capital to sustainable infrastructure projects, and equity in funds advancing affordable housing, rural electrification, and inclusive economic growth.
We do not view our endowment as separate from our values. It is a tool we must use with discipline, intention, and a commitment to long-term benefit.
Our Programs
At the Claypool Foundation, we believe that lasting change begins with bold care, for people, for communities, for the planet we all share.
Arts and Creative Expression
We support artists and cultural institutions that reflect the complexity of human experience. Art shapes imagination, deepens empathy, and strengthens democracy. We invest in creators and organizations that nurture cultural heritage, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire collective understanding, both in Minnesota and around the world.
Learn moreThe world needs
foundations willing
to reimagine.
The Claypool Family
We remain in deep partnership with those who lead with courage, clarity, and care.
Artists, organizers, scientists, educators, health workers, climate stewards, and visionaries across all fields: your work is the light that guides ours. For you, and because of you, we commit ourselves fully.
This growth reflects not only our scale as one of the largest private family foundations in the United States, but also our sense of responsibility to act boldly and with clarity. It reflects our belief that philanthropy, when done with humility and discipline, can be a tool for systemic change.
What is withheld perishes. What is given takes root. We choose to give.
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Inquiries
The Claypool Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. We identify potential partners through our own research and recommendations from trusted advisors.
inquiries@claypoolfoundation.org