Dondelinger Foundation
The Dondelinger Foundation is a private foundation based in Mentor, Minnesota. It made 15 grants totaling $47,008 in 2023, supporting organizations and activities including fire protection equipment, disability services equipment, disaster relief, community improvement, and charitable work.
Dondelinger Foundation at a glance
In short: Dondelinger Foundation gave $47K across 15 grants in 2023 (avg $3K), mostly in Minnesota. 40% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $47,008
- -9.6% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 15
- -28.6% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $3,134
- +26.5% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $2,400
- Total assets
- $1,463,125
- +3.2% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (6 of 15, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (80% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dondelinger Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2022 filing says to send a written request explaining the need to Robert J. Dondelinger. Awards are restricted to the Northwest Minnesota area.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Robert J Dondelinger
Mailing address: 12745 Maple Lake Drive Se, Mentor, MN 56736
Phone: (218) 681-4820
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dondelinger Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Middle River Fire Department ($6K). Together the top 10 received $39K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 51 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2022 filing lists the Northwest Minnesota area as a restriction on awards. In 2023, 80% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients, 15% to Iowa recipients, and 5% to Arizona recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Dondelinger Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 6 of 15 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 60% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2023). 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 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $44K (2021) to $52K (2022). In 2023 it made 15 grants totaling $47K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Middle River Fire Department Middle River, MN | Fire Protection Equipment | $6,000 |
| Falls Day Activity Center Thief River Falls, MN | Disability Services Equipment | $6,000 |
| American Red Cross Des Moines, IA | Tornado Relief Fund | $5,000 |
| Legacy Event Cen TER Thief River Falls, MN | Weight Room Equipment | $5,000 |
| Northland Community Foundation Thief River Falls, MN | Charitable | $4,500 |
| Newfolden Community Homes Newfolden, MN | Community Improvement | $3,000 |
| Verde Cares Rio Verde, AZ | Charitable | $2,500 |
| TRF Heritage Center Thief River Falls, MN | Charitable | $2,400 |
| Lutheran Social Service Saint Paul, MN | Charitable | $2,108 |
| TRF Athletic Association Thief River Falls, MN | Charitable | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dondelinger Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,463,125 | $95,459 | $49,523 | $47,008 | 15 | $47,008 | $95,459 |
| 2022 | $1,417,189 | $98,741 | $53,129 | $52,011 | 21 | $52,011 | $98,741 |
| 2021 | $1,371,577 | $73,630 | $45,684 | $44,000 | 15 | — | $73,630 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $47,008. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $6,000, with a median of $2,400.
Notable 2023 grants included $6,000 to Middle River Fire Department for fire protection equipment and $6,000 to Falls Day Activity Center for disability services equipment. Other grants included $5,000 to American Red Cross for a tornado relief fund, $5,000 to Legacy Event Center for weight room equipment, $4,500 to Northland Community Foundation for charitable purposes, and $3,000 to Newfolden Community Homes for community improvement.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Robert J. Dondelinger as president, Marlene B. Dondelinger as vice president, Bruce D. Keller as secretary/treasurer, and Thomas Dondelinger and Kurt Marben as directors.
Dondelinger Foundation is led by Robert J. Dondelinger, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Robert J. Dondelinger
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kurt Marben
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas Dondelinger
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Bruce D. Keller
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Marlene B. Dondelinger
Vice President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Dondelinger Foundation
How much does Dondelinger Foundation give each year?
Dondelinger Foundation gave $47K across 15 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $52K across 21 grants.
What is Dondelinger Foundation's typical grant size?
Dondelinger Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $2,400, and its average grant was $3,134, across 15 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dondelinger Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Dondelinger Foundation give grants?
Dondelinger Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Iowa (15%) and Arizona (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Thief River Falls, MN (7 grants) and Middle River, MN (3 grants).
Does Dondelinger Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Dondelinger Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (8 grants).
Who are Dondelinger Foundation's largest grantees?
Dondelinger Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Middle River Fire Department ($6,000), Falls Day Activity Center ($6,000) and American Red Cross ($5,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Dondelinger Foundation?
Dondelinger Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $95K.
How do I apply for a grant from Dondelinger Foundation?
The 2022 filing says to send a written request explaining the need to Robert J. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dondelinger Foundation's EIN?
Dondelinger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1963901. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Live grants for the work Dondelinger Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dondelinger Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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