Channel One Inc
Channel One Inc is a public charity based in Rochester, Minnesota, that operates as Channel One Regional Food Bank. Its mission is to strengthen food access and build healthy communities. It serves a 14-county region in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, distributing food and non-food items through a network of food shelves, pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other programs.
Channel One Inc at a glance
In short: Channel One Inc gave $12.5M across 53 grants in 2025 (avg $235K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,480,480
- +13.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- -29.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $235,481
- +61.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $63,806
- Total assets
- $7,103,767
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Channel One Inc
- How to Apply
-
Channel One says agency partners are accepted after a formal application and review process, and that accepted agencies are reviewed annually for compliance with applicable standards.
- Contact
Mailing address: 131 35Th Street Se, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 287-2350
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Channel One Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Pathways ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $9.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
313 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 198 grants of 313 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Channel One’s stated service region covers 14 counties: Faribault, Waseca, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore, Winona, and Houston counties in Minnesota, and La Crosse County in Wisconsin. In filing-year 2025 grants, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 16% to recipients in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
Cities
How Channel One Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.9M (2023) to $12.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 53 grants totaling $12.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Pathways Owatonna, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $2,523,039 |
| Wafer La Crosse, WI | Food and Non Food Items | $1,790,800 |
| Community Action Center of Northfield Northfield, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $1,720,824 |
| Society of Vincent De Paul Faribault, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $850,931 |
| Winona Volunteer Services Winona, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $536,268 |
| Semcac Inc Rushford, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $499,267 |
| Area Neighborhood Service Center Inc Waseca, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $366,132 |
| Second Harvest Heartland Maplewood, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $325,912 |
| Red Wing Area Food Shelf Red Wing, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $324,601 |
| Wabasha Area Food Share Inc Wabasha, MN | Food and Non Food Items | $317,051 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,103,767 | $26,121,594 | $27,919,312 | $12,480,480 | 53 | $111,601 |
| 2024 | $8,878,567 | $24,944,529 | $25,639,945 | $10,962,340 | 75 | $100,141 |
| 2023 | $9,489,071 | $20,258,959 | $20,241,527 | $3,899,423 | 45 | $37,377 |
| 2022 | $9,565,800 | $17,204,714 | $18,572,524 | $7,052,495 | 67 | $-7,678 |
| 2021 | $10,900,527 | $23,904,084 | $22,057,453 | $6,676,767 | 73 | $4,527 |
| 2020 | $9,424,293 | $21,788,814 | $18,892,272 | $9,662,576 | 1 | $35,496 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Channel One’s stated mission is to strengthen food access and build healthy communities, with a vision that every community in its region is food secure. Its activities include regional food distribution, its own food shelf, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program for income-eligible seniors, and Kitchen Coalition meals prepared with restaurant and distribution partners.
Its 2025 grants were reported for “food and non-food items.” Examples of supported organizations include WAFER, whose stated mission is to provide food and work to eliminate hunger, and Community Action Center, which says it promotes a healthy, caring, and just community through resources, advocacy, and volunteer efforts. Winona Volunteer Services describes its work as coordinated assistance that includes food programs and home-delivered meals.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Channel One reported 53 grants totaling $12,480,480. Grant amounts ranged from $5,274 to $2,523,039, with a median grant of $63,806. The listed grants primarily support regional organizations providing food and non-food items.
The largest reported grants included $2,523,039 to Community Pathways; $1,790,800 to WAFER; $1,720,824 to Community Action Center of Northfield; $850,931 to Society of Vincent de Paul in Faribault; and $536,268 to Winona Volunteer Services. Other substantial grants included $499,267 to SEMCAC, $366,132 to Area Neighborhood Service Center, and $325,912 to Second Harvest Heartland.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Paul Mackin as board chair and Melissa Dickison as vice chair. Holden Lewis is listed as board chair for part of the year. Other listed directors are Tom Leimer, treasurer; Angie Ames; Sara Carlson; Ben Mulholland; Tamim Rajjo; Andy Danielsen; and Gema Alvarado-Guerrero.
Channel One Inc is led by Virginia Witherspoon, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Virginia Witherspoon
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$124K (2024) → $130K (2025)
Holden Lewis
Board Chair-
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Board Chair-, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Mackin
Board Chair
Director → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2024
Vice Chair & Secretary → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Carlson
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angie Ames
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Mulholland
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Bergstrom
Director-
Director → Director-, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamim Rajjo
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Danielsen
Director
Director - → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Broersma
Director
Director- → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gema Alvarado-Guerrero
Director
Director- → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Zirbes
Director-
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Fisher
Director
Director- → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roger Hofer
Director-
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Ringel
Director-
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Yule
Director-
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Dickison
Vice Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Leimer
Treasurer
Director - → Director, 2024
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (27)
- Former: Joe Powers (2020–2024) — Director-
- Former: Sharon Rosen (2020–2024) — Director-
- Former: Mary Dunlap (2021–2024) — Director-
- Former: Miguel Garate (2022–2024) — Director-
- Former: Roberto Magambo (2022–2024) — Director-
- Former: Chad Decook (2020–2023) — Director-
- Former: Cyle Erie (2020–2023) — Director -
- Former: David Courtis (2020–2023) — Board Treasurer-
- Former: Paul Evers (2020–2023) — Director -
- Former: Virginia Merritt (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Christopher Rock (2022–2023) — Board Chair-
- Former: Bryce Caldwell (2020–2022) — Director -
- Former: Jerad Faudi (2020–2022) — Director -
- Former: Nancy Ness (2020–2022) — Director -
- Former: Olga Mutamba (2020–2022) — Director -
- Former: Mark Niethamm (2021–2022) — Director -
- Former: Chris Rock (2020–2021) — Board Chair & Vice Chair
- Former: Courtney Logi (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Joe Gasior (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Kanko Akakpovi (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Linda Lovik (2020–2021) — Assitant Director
- Former: Matt Decook (2020–2021) — Finance Director
- Former: Ben Bergstrom (2021) — Director
- Former: Abdul Bengali (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Niethammer (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Sherry Kulas (2020) — Finance Director
- Former: Susan Ahlquist (2020) — Board Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $130K, to Virginia Witherspoon (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Channel One Inc
How much does Channel One Inc give each year?
Channel One Inc gave $12.5M across 53 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $11.0M across 75 grants.
What is Channel One Inc's typical grant size?
Channel One Inc's median grant in 2025 was $63,806, and its average grant was $235,481, across 53 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Channel One Inc give grants?
Channel One Inc gives mostly in Minnesota: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, MN (7 grants), Owatonna, MN (3 grants), Albert Lea, MN (3 grants) and La Crosse, WI (2 grants).
Does Channel One Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 53 grants with a stated purpose on Channel One Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food and Non Food Items" (53 grants).
Who are Channel One Inc's largest grantees?
Channel One Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Community Pathways ($2,523,039), Wafer ($1,790,800) and Community Action Center of Northfield ($1,720,824), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Channel One Inc?
Channel One Inc reported $7.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.1M.
What does Channel One Inc fund?
Channel One’s stated mission is to strengthen food access and build healthy communities, with a vision that every community in its region is food secure. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Channel One Inc?
Channel One says agency partners are accepted after a formal application and review process, and that accepted agencies are reviewed annually for compliance with applicable standards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Channel One Inc's EIN?
Channel One Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1379713. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
Live grants for the work Channel One Inc funds
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Channel One Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Channel One Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/channel-one-inc-morg_e938bc2e77004c428c73d761a486cfe3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411379713_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Channel One Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/channel-one-inc-morg_e938bc2e77004c428c73d761a486cfe3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Channel One Inc'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.
Channel One Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?