Besser Foundation
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
16
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$74K
+62.5% YoY
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
States
Cities
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
| 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
No grants recorded for .
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
**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 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 learningRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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