Besser Foundation

ALPENA, MI EIN: 38-6071938

The Besser Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in 1944 and based in Alpena, Michigan. The foundation invests in stocks, bonds, and securities to generate interest, dividends, and capital gains, with earnings disbursed for charitable purposes.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$1.2M

+30.0% YoY

Grant Count

-20.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$74K

+62.5% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's primary purpose is to invest in financial instruments to generate returns for charitable distribution. Grant-making focuses on:

Education and student learning
Health and social services
Local schools and colleges
Voluntarism and volunteer programs
STEM education and grants
Scholarships
Waterfront improvement
Community development and operations
International development (including support for projects in underdeveloped nations in Africa)

Grantmaking

Organizations are assessed based on community impact, number of people reached, and types of needs met.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in northeast Michigan, with a particular emphasis on Alpena and surrounding communities. The foundation also supports international charitable work, including projects in underdeveloped nations in Africa.

Grant Distribution by State

Michigan $5.1M (100%)

States

Michigan

Cities

ALPENAGAYLORDGRAND HAVENMILLERSBURG

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 31, 2023:

Total Assets: $16,448,773
Total Revenues: $584,611
Total Expenses: $956,501

As of 2024:

Total Assets: $17,355,794
Total Giving: $1,178,199

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

106 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Besser Museum ($343,554), Besser Museum ($260,000), Boys & Girls Club of Alpena ($250,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALPENA ALPENA, MI	BUILDING	$250,000
ALPENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALPENA, MI	EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION	$39,645
CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES ALPENA, MI	OPERATING	$25,000
ALPENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALPENA, MI	MINI-GRANTS	$20,000
BESSER MUSEUM ALPENA, MI	OPERATING EXPENSES	$260,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALPENA ALPENA, MI	VOLUNTEEN PROGRAM	$19,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALPENA ALPENA, MI	CLUB BIGS PROGRAM	$22,000
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER ALPENA, MI	OPERATIONS	$15,000
HOPE SHORES ALLIANCE ALPENA, MI	DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM	$9,000
AMA EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT ALPENA, MI	PLAYGROUND PROJECT	$13,500

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Gary Dawley — Trustee of the Besser Foundation

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
CHRIS MCCOY	TRUSTEE	1	$4,360
GARY DAWLEY	MANAGER	8	$25,000
GARY DAWLEY	SECRETARY/TR	1	$4,360
JAMES C PARK	PRESIDENT	1	$4,360
PATRICIA GARDNER	VICE PRESIDE	1	$4,360
ANN BURTON	TRUSTEE	1	$4,360
KIMBERLY PARK	TRUSTEE	1	$4,360
PETE WILSON	TRUSTEE	1	$4,360

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

**75th Anniversary Grants (2024):**

The foundation announced special grants totaling more than $2.3 million to honor its 75th anniversary. Recipients included Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, Alpena Public Schools, MidMichigan Health Systems, Friends of Thunder Bay, and Alpena Child Care and Development Center.

The Besser Foundation Supports Medical Center Project in Alpena | Council

2025

**2025 Activity:**

Hope Shores Alliance received a $50,000 matching grant to support the development of a new emergency shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Alpena.

Hope Shores receives $50K Besser Foundation grant for new ...

**Foundation Sustainability:**

Foundation leadership has emphasized commitment to long-term sustainability, stating the goal is to ensure the foundation remains active for another 75 years through careful investment management and strategic grantmaking.

Besser Foundation donates $135K for student learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Besser Foundation fund?

The foundation's primary purpose is to invest in financial instruments to generate returns for charitable distribution. Grant-making focuses on: • Education and student learning • Health and social services • Local schools and colleges • Voluntarism and volunteer programs • STEM education and grants • Scholarships • Waterfront improvement • Community development and operations • International development (including support for projects in underdeveloped nations in Africa)

How do I apply for a grant from Besser Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 27 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2024: $1,178,199 • Typical award range: $2,000–$343,554 **Recent Notable Grants (2023-2025):** • Boys and Girls Club of Alpena: $1,000,000 (facility relocation) • Boys and Girls Club of Alpena: $294,000 (building) • Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan: $260,000 (operating expenses) • Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan: $56,446 (building project with handicap access) • Hope Shores Alliance: $50,000 (matching grant for emergency sh…