David & Janis Larson Foundation
The David & Janis Larson Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2013 and granted tax-exempt status in March 2015. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the foundation was created to carry out the philanthropic vision of David M. Larson, a retired Cargill executive vice president and University of Minnesota regent who passed away in 2014 at age 70. The foundation operates with the principle that "if a cause is worth supporting today, it's worth supporting in perpetuity."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$8.4M
+4.9% YoY
Grant Count
45
+25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$186K
-16.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Health and Safety
- Goodwill and Community Development
- Leadership Development
- Athletics
- Historical Preservation
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation operates as a trustee-directed private family foundation without formal grant programs with specified amounts.
Grant Range
$3,500 to $2,200,000
Average Grant
$222,222
Ready to take the next step with David & Janis Larson Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding areas include:
- Minnesota (with emphasis on Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
- Kansas (with emphasis on Kansas City)
- Missouri
- Wisconsin
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $136,723,733 to $139,838,749
- Total Annual Giving: $8,000,000 to $8,390,000
- Total Revenues (2023): $9,997,119
- Total Expenses (2023): $8,720,976
- Investment Income and Dividends (2023): $3,368,450
- Number of Employees: 1
| 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
144 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Sanneh Foundation ($1,301,500), Kansas University Endowment Association ($1,051,000), University of Minnesota Athletics ($600,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AAHS DECA FOUNDATION ALEXANDRIA, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $100,000 |
| ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $150,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS ST PAUL, MN | COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRA, | $150,000 |
| CAMP FIRE MINNESOTA EXCELSIOR, MN | YOUTH IN NATURE & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | $125,000 |
| CAPABLE PARTNERS GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| CENTRAL SQUARE CULTURAL AND CIVIC CENTER GLENWOOD, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $350,000 |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE TWIN CITIES ST PAUL, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $100,000 |
| EVERY THIRD SATURDAY MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $75,000 |
| FOLDS OF HONOR OF MINNESOTA WAYZATA, MN | EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VETERANS | $100,000 |
| FOOD FOR HUNGRY MINDS MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by:
- Janis "Jani" Larson – Widow of David M. Larson; manages the foundation
- D. Lance Larson – Son; serves as trustee
- Reid M. Larson – Son; serves as trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANIS L LARSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| D LANCE LARSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| REID M LARSON | TRUSTEE | 20 | — |
| FIRST TRUST CO LLC | TRUSTEE | 10 | $202,473 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant commitments to major national and regional organizations:
**Boys & Girls Clubs of America**: $10 million grant for clubs across the country (2022)
Larson Family Foundation Grants $10M for Boys & Girls Clubs Across the Country**Three Major Nonprofits**: $90 million commitment announced
**Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation**: Larson Endowment distributed $615,000 in awards
Community Foundation Awards $615K through Larson Endowment**University of Central Arkansas**: $500,000 Bridges-Larson Foundation grant
UCA News \u2013 UCA AWARDED $500,000 BRIDGES-LARSON FOUNDATION GRANTContact Information
Address: 1055 Wayzata Boulevard East, Wayzata, MN 55391
Phone: (952) 473-3310
Administrative Contact: First Trust Company LLC, 250 Marquette Ave Ste 520, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2165; (651) 330-5910
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does David & Janis Larson Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Health and Safety • Goodwill and Community Development • Leadership Development • Athletics • Historical Preservation • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from David & Janis Larson Foundation?
The foundation operates as a trustee-directed private family foundation without formal grant programs with specified amounts. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $3,500 to $2,200,000 • Average grant size: $222,222 • Median grant amount: Not publicly specified • Annual grant distribution: Approximately $8,000,000 • Grant frequency: Made 36 grants in 2023 **Recent Grants (2023):** • KU Endowment (Larson Foundation Scholarship Fund): $1,017,000 • Pinky Swear Foundation (General Chari…
Where does David & Janis Larson Foundation make grants?
Primary funding areas include: • Minnesota (with emphasis on Minneapolis/St. Paul area) • Kansas (with emphasis on Kansas City) • Missouri • Wisconsin
What size grants does David & Janis Larson Foundation award?
In 2024, David & Janis Larson Foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $8.4M — an average of about $186K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is David & Janis Larson Foundation's EIN?
David & Janis Larson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1957525. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in David & Janis Larson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
The Minneapolis Foundation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
ST PAUL, MN
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,445
Total Given
$192.6M
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
1,431
Total Given
$47.9M
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Xcel Energy Foundation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
1,820
Total Given
$7.7M
Otto Bremer Trust
ST PAUL, MN
Assets
—
Grants
883
Total Given
$68.5M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Mightycause Charitable Foundation
MARIANNA, FL
Assets
$6.6M
Grants
3,309
Total Given
$82.3M
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Pohlad Family Foundation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
372
Total Given
$14.1M
The Us Charitable Gift Trust
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
6,518
Total Given
$231.4M
More Funders in Minnesota
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.