Alex Stern Family Foundation
The Alex Stern Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Fargo, North Dakota. Established in 1977, it was created by brothers Sam and Edward Stern to honor their family members when they inherited William Stern's estate in 1964. The foundation was designed to become active upon the last brother's death, which occurred in 1977. The foundation operates with the mission of serving the community where "the Stern Family had good fortune."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$565K
+10.5% YoY
Grant Count
67
-6.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+18.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Alex Stern Family Foundation supports the following areas for the benefit of the greater Fargo-Moorhead region:
- Arts
- Social welfare and human services
- Education
- Youth recreation
- Civic projects
- Health
The foundation's guiding principle is to "enhance charitable and literacy causes in the Fargo-Moorhead area because it was here that the Stern Family had good fortune."
Grantmaking
The foundation provides general operating support, scholarships, and other charitable funding.
Grant Range
approximately $8,000-$10,000
Average Grant
approximately $8,000-$10,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Alex Stern Family Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, including Cass and Clay Counties in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $9,148,634
- Total revenues: $541,077
- Total expenses: $653,064
- Investment income and dividends: $311,498
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $168,304
Historical Growth:
- At inception in 1977, the foundation had assets of just over $1 million
- As of the most recent reporting period, assets had grown to approximately $10 million
- More than $16.5 million in grants have been invested locally in Cass and Clay Counties since inception
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since April 1964
- EIN: 45-6013981
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Alex Stern Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Impact Foundation ($112,500), Angels Hockey Club ($25,000), Oak Grove Lutheran School ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACT UP THEATRE MOORHEAD, MN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| AMERICAN GOLD GYMNASTICS FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ANGELS HOCKEY CLUB FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BIO GIRLS FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BOX OF BALLOONS FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA FARGO, ND | PROGRAMS AT JEFFERSON/MADISON SCHOOL | $2,500 |
| BRIDGING THE GAP WEST FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CAPSTONE CLASSICAL ACADEMY FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CHILDRENS DENTAL SERVICES INC FARGO, ND | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Trustee: Rondi McGovern
- Executive Director/Trustee: Dan Carey
- Contact Person: Donald Scott
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAN CAREY | TRUSTEE | — | $4,000 |
| RONDI MCGOVERN | TRUSTEE | — | $4,000 |
Recent Grants & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant recipients include:
Fargo Angels Hockey Club: $25,000 (2024)
Fargo Park District Foundation: $20,000 (2024)
Capstone Classical Academy: $15,000 (2024)
BIO Girls: $5,000 (2025)
CCHS: $5,000 (2025)
Contact Information
Address: 4141 28th Avenue South Fargo, North Dakota 58104
Phone: 701-237-0170
Website: alexsternfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Alex Stern Family Foundation fund?
The Alex Stern Family Foundation supports the following areas for the benefit of the greater Fargo-Moorhead region: • Arts • Social welfare and human services • Education • Youth recreation • Civic projects • Health The foundation's guiding principle is to "enhance charitable and literacy causes in the Fargo-Moorhead area because it was here that the Stern Family had good fortune."
How do I apply for a grant from Alex Stern Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 2024: 55 grants totaling approximately $565,000 in annual giving • 2023: 67 grants • Average grant size: approximately $8,000-$10,000 • Grant range: $2,000–$112,500 **Grant Types:** The foundation provides general operating support, scholarships, and other charitable funding. **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications from new grant seekers but does not provide detailed written guidelines. Prospective applicants are asked to contact staff by phone to dete…
Where does Alex Stern Family Foundation make grants?
The Alex Stern Family Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, including Cass and Clay Counties in North Dakota and Minnesota.
What size grants does Alex Stern Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Alex Stern Family Foundation awarded 67 grants totaling $565K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Alex Stern Family Foundation's EIN?
Alex Stern Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6013981. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Alex Stern Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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