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
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
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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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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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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