Steven L And Jan L Kirchner
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a variety of charitable causes. Its mission appears to focus on enhancing community welfare through grants to educational institutions, health charities, religious organizations, and community service initiatives. The foundation actively supports youth development programs, health-related charities, and cultural institutions, reflecting a commitment to both education and community enrichment. While it primarily serves organizations within Minnesota, it also extends support to a small number of recipients in other states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A Minnesota-based charity or community institution (education, health, faith-based, youth, or cultural organization) seeking general operating support and with an established local reputation or connection to the foundation's network.
Good Fit
- • Located in Minnesota or clearly serving Minnesota communities.
- • Program or general operating needs consistent with past recipients (churches, schools, health, youth, cultural institutions).
- • Existing relationship, introduction, or prior contact with foundation leadership or their local network.
- • Capacity to receive mid-size grants (several thousand to tens of thousands).
Geography
Granting is heavily focused in Minnesota—about 88% of dollars in 2023—yet recipients were recorded across 11 states, so the footprint is primarily state-centered with some out-of-state awards.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 52 distinct recipients with 46 new grantees and only six repeats across two years, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Behaviorally the funder added many new recipients in 2023, which suggests unfamiliar organizations can be included, but the foundation explicitly limits grants to preselected applicants and provides no public application route, so unsolicited entry is uncertain.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
