Besser Foundation
Besser Foundation is a private foundation based in Alpena, Michigan. Its filing states that programs and projects related to the welfare of Alpena-area citizens are its primary concern, and its 2025 grants supported organizations and projects including a museum, a church, social services, education, and community facilities.
Besser Foundation at a glance
In short: Besser Foundation gave $768K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $45K), mostly in Michigan. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $768,227
- -34.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +6.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $45,190
- -38.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $18,702,391
- +7.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (6 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Besser Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Requests should be submitted in writing and include proof of 501(c)(3) status. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It will not consider requests from organizations outside Alpena unless specifically requested by a trustee. It also excludes requests for endowment funds, meeting or conference expenses, travel for individuals or groups, and grants to individuals. The filing states that it will not relieve organizations or the public of their responsibilities.
- Review Cycle
- Requests must be received by the end of the first month of each calendar quarter to be considered.
- Deadline
- Requests must be received by the end of the first month of each calendar quarter to be considered.
- Contact
Application contact: Gary Dawley
Mailing address: 350 N Second Ave 701, Alpena, MI 49707
Phone: (989) 356-6613
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Besser Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Besser Museum ($260K). Together the top 10 received $722K.
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 96 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that programs and projects related to the welfare of Alpena-area citizens are its primary concern. In 2025, it reported that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Besser Foundation open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 14 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 30% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $768K (2025) to $1.8M (2019). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $768K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Besser Museum Alpena, MI | Operating Expenses | $260,000 |
| All Saints Catholic Church Alpena, MI | Capital Improvements | $75,000 |
| Child & Family Services Alpena, MI | Operating | $50,000 |
| Hope Shores Alliance Alpena, MI | DV Victim Shelter Renovation | $50,000 |
| City of Alpena Alpena, MI | Northeast Mi Materials Mgmt | $50,000 |
| Pace Northeast Michigan Alpena, MI | General | $50,000 |
| Alpena Public Schools Alpena, MI | Excellence in Education | $41,697 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Alpena Alpena, MI | Operating | $40,000 |
| Friends of Alpena Courts Alpena, MI | General | $25,000 |
| Friends of Hubbard Lake Comm Center Hubbard Lake, MI | Community Center Improvements | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Besser Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,702,391 | $1,168,200 | $977,340 | $768,227 | 17 | $796,131 | $1,042,804 | $873,466 |
| 2024 | $17,355,794 | $906,006 | $1,315,407 | $1,178,199 | 16 | $1,252,247 | $842,847 | $848,096 |
| 2023 | $16,448,773 | $584,611 | $956,501 | $906,056 | 20 | $943,700 | $571,808 | $743,773 |
| 2022 | $15,208,189 | $997,548 | $1,216,545 | $1,091,160 | 22 | $1,162,678 | $943,680 | $789,020 |
| 2021 | $19,627,149 | $2,916,050 | $1,115,317 | $950,337 | 21 | $1,058,147 | $2,857,425 | $907,914 |
| 2020 | $18,889,668 | $329,242 | $1,158,191 | $1,024,066 | 27 | — | $294,936 | $846,043 |
| 2019 | $17,933,237 | $795,616 | $1,947,681 | $1,796,091 | 31 | — | $748,700 | $877,875 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Besser Foundation reported a distributable amount of $873K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its filing identifies the welfare of Alpena-area citizens as its primary concern. Its 2025 grants included operating support, capital improvements, education, and community projects.
One 2025 grantee, Habitat for Humanity Menominee River, describes its mission as bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. The foundation reported giving the organization $14,030.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $768,227. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $260,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Among its largest grants were $260,000 to Besser Museum for operating expenses; $75,000 to All Saints Catholic Church for capital improvements; and $50,000 each to Child & Family Services for operating support, Hope Shores Alliance for a domestic-violence victim shelter renovation, the City of Alpena for Northeast Michigan materials management, and PACE Northeast Michigan for general support.
The foundation also reported grants of $41,697 to Alpena Public Schools for excellence in education, $40,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Alpena for operating support, and $25,000 to Friends of Alpena Courts for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Chris McCoy, Patricia Gardner, Kimberly Park, and Pete Wilson as trustees; Gary Dawley as manager and secretary/treasurer; James C. Park as president; and Ann Burton as vice president.
Besser Foundation is led by James C. Park, President on every filing since 2019; all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James C. Park
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$4K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Chris McCoy
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$4K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Kimberly Park
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$3K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Patricia Gardner
Trustee
Vice President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$4K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Pete Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$3K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Ann Burton
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$4K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Gary Dawley
Manager & Secretary
On filings since 2019
8 hrs/week
$25K (2019) → $25K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $25K, to Gary Dawley (Manager). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Besser Foundation
How much does Besser Foundation give each year?
Besser Foundation gave $768K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 16 grants.
What is Besser Foundation's typical grant size?
Besser Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $45,190, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Besser Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does Besser Foundation give grants?
Besser Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Alpena, MI (15 grants).
Does Besser Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 35% of Besser Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Besser Foundation's largest grantees?
Besser Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Besser Museum ($260,000), Boys & Girls Club of Alpena ($75,000 across 3 grants) and All Saints Catholic Church ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Besser Foundation?
Besser Foundation reported $18.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $796K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $873K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Besser Foundation fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its filing identifies the welfare of Alpena-area citizens as its primary concern. Its 2025 grants included operating support, capital improvements, education, and community projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Besser Foundation?
Requests should be submitted in writing and include proof of 501(c)(3) status. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Besser Foundation's EIN?
Besser Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6071938. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 25, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Besser Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/besser-foundation-morg_6f7bfbf05e21475e981d5b1cf99c388b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386071938_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Besser Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/besser-foundation-morg_6f7bfbf05e21475e981d5b1cf99c388b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Besser Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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