Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation
The Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation located in Elk River, Minnesota. Established in 2019, the foundation seeks to be a source of light in the world while creating a legacy of benevolence. The foundation funds organizations it identifies as effective and accountable, combining financial support with business acumen to help grantees advance their work.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.8M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$665K
+74.6% YoY
Grant Count
32
+60.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+9.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation reported a distributable amount of $233K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to be a source of light in the world while creating a legacy of benevolence. The foundation focuses on funding organizations where it can truly make a difference by combining funding and business acumen to help them move to the next level. In its giving, the foundation considers areas and industries where it has the influence to leverage its impact.
Recent grant recipients indicate funding interests in community support services, youth programs, food security, religious organizations, and educational institutions.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
s:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, with a concentration in the Elk River area and surrounding communities. Grant recipients are located throughout Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Warroad, Saint Peter, and other communities statewide.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $4.83 million
- Total Revenue: $903,000
- Total Expenses: $709,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $4.79 million
- Total Revenue: $189,170
- Total Expenses: $433,843
Historical Assets:
- 2022: $5.5 million
- 2021: $5.1 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,828,139 | $4,790,935 | $4,355,186 |
| Revenue | $903,353 | $189,170 | $100,447 |
| Expenses | $709,462 | $433,843 | $379,997 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $669,018 | $387,637 | $344,725 |
| Net Investment Income | $855,209 | $142,276 | $57,525 |
| Distributable Amount | $232,963 | $216,132 | $228,836 |
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
119 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Covenant Christian Academy ($350,000), Gateway Church ($153,466), Mn Adult Teen Challenge ($25,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIG LAKE COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF BIG LAKE, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,500 |
| CAER FOOD SHELF AKA COMMUNITY AID ELK RIVER ELK RIVER, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,500 |
| GATEWAY CHURCH ELK RIVER, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $153,466 |
| MN ADULT TEEN CHALLENGE MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,500 |
| THUMBS UP HIGH ELK RIVER, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN LEGION ELK RIVER, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ALL NATIONS NEW LIFE WARROAD, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| HUNTER HOULE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOREST LAKE, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FISHING FOR LIFE MINNEAPOLS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CHILDRENS CANCER RESEARCH FUND MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER D CARLSON | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBRA L CARLSON | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TAYLOR G SCHROER | TREASURER & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREW C CARLSON | SECRETARY & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation 11591 217th Ave. NW Elk River, MN 55330
EIN: 83-4534853
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to be a source of light in the world while creating a legacy of benevolence. The foundation focuses on funding organizations where it can truly make a difference by combining funding and business acumen to help them move to the next level. In its giving, the foundation considers areas and industries where it has the influence to leverage its impact. Recent grant recipients indicate funding interests in community support services, youth programs, food security, religi…
How do I apply for a grant from Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 2024: 20 grants totaling $381,000 • 2023: 17 grants totaling $338,000 • 2022: 17 grants totaling $498,000 • 2021: 19 grants totaling $457,000 **Grant Sizes:** • Median grant: $10,000 (2024) • Grant range: $500–$150,000 • Recent notable grants include $150,000 to Gateway Church and $50,000 to Turning Point **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Turning Point ($50,000 - General Support) • Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge ($40,000 - General Support, COVID Relief & Lakeside E…
Where does Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, with a concentration in the Elk River area and surrounding communities. Grant recipients are located throughout Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Warroad, Saint Peter, and other communities statewide.
What size grants does Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation award?
In 2024, Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $665K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation reported a distributable amount of $233K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation's EIN?
Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4534853. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Spicola Family Foundation
MINNETONKA, MN
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$410K
Litchfield Student Anglers Club
LITCHFIELD, MN
Assets
$738
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Geyer Family Foundation
EDINA, MN
Assets
—
Grants
7
Total Given
$35K
Love 4 One Another Charities
CHANHASSEN, MN
Assets
$8.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$90K
Donald and Luella Zibell Family Foundation
NORTHFIELD, MN
Assets
—
Grants
8
Total Given
$80K
Minnesota Citizens Concerned
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
$745K
Grants
2
Total Given
$942K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation to a real strategy.