Many drive past 6889 Rowland Road in Eden Prairie each day — some not realizing that “The Preserve” office building is home to three entities that, in total, paid about $250 million in grants in 2015.
Eden Prairie News
June 2, 2016
Patty Dexter
Many drive past 6889 Rowland Road in Eden Prairie each day — some not realizing that “The Preserve” office building is home to three entities that, in total, paid about $250 million in grants in 2015.
The building is the headquarters for Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) — the umbrella entity composed of three grant-making organizations created by the late Margaret A. Cargill — the Akaloa Resource Foundation, the Anne Ray Charitable Trust and the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation.
They have provided grants to support causes and programs ranging from companion animals and engaging third-grade students with hands-on art to addressing the academic achievement gap.
Of the roughly $250 million in grant funds, about $20.3 million was granted to 33 Minnesota-based organizations or programs.
“It’s a really diverse group ’¦ but all of it really goes back to things that were important to our donor,” said Leeanne Huber, communications manager.
Margaret A. Cargill was the granddaughter of William Cargill, the co-founder of Cargill Inc. She grew up in the Midwest and attended the University of Minnesota, earning an art education degree before moving to Southern California. She pursued an interest in arts and crafts there, according to MACP’s website.
“Margaret blossomed into a ‘silent philanthropist,’” the site says.
The MACP said grants are provided within seven interest areas: environment; disaster relief and recovery; arts and culture, teachers; animal welfare; quality of life; and legacy and opportunity. Huber noted that staff are still building the strategy and identifying grant partners for the teachers and quality of life interest areas.
“Our most mature programs are environment, disaster relief and recovery and arts and culture,” she explained.
Cargill formed the Akaloa Resource Foundation in 1995. Huber said the foundation is the smallest of the charities, with assets of about $189 million. It primarily supports organizations in Southern California such as the San Diego Humane Society and Mingei International Inc.
The Anne Ray Charitable Trust was founded a year later by Cargill and has provided grants to entities including the American National Red Cross International Services Department, the Nature Conservancy and the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. The trust’s assets are about $3.85 billion, the MACP said.
The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation was created after Cargill died in August 2006 with a mission to “provide meaningful support through long-term relationships with strategic grantee partners to identify and implement sustainable solutions to persistent problems and opportunities within closely defined program areas,” according to MACP.
In February, the Minnesota Council on Foundations ranked the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation as the top grant-maker in Minnesota based on cash grants paid in 2014. That year, it paid $150.2 million in grants.
Full article available at Eden Prairie News
