Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation
The Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation is a private independent foundation established in North Dakota and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the foundation operates as a grantmaking organization focused on supporting educational and leadership initiatives, primarily in the Upper Midwest region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$50.6M
-0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
-10.8% YoY
Grant Count
13
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$180K
-17.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established by Edson and Margaret Larson, who were members of the Mayville community and recognized the importance of education to their region. The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- Education: Scholarships and educational programs at higher education institutions
- Leadership Development: Programs designed to build leadership characteristics and prepare students for future leadership roles
- Professional Societies & Associations: Support for professional development initiatives
The foundation emphasizes support for North Dakota residents and institutions, reflecting the founders' commitment to their home state.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Grants support scholarships with specific criteria, including requirements that recipients demonstrate community service, leadership, and academic achievement, with preference for North Dakota residents who intend to work or pursue graduate studies in North Dakota or Minnesota institutions.
Average Grant
amount: $208,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in North Dakota and Minnesota, with a particular emphasis on North Dakota institutions and residents. Scholarship programs specifically target North Dakota high school graduates and residents.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $50.6 million
- Total Revenue: $1.79 million
- Total Expenses: $2.96 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $15.3 million in 2011 to $50.6 million in 2023, demonstrating significant growth over the foundation's operational period.
Annual Distribution: The foundation has distributed between $2.6 million annually in recent years (2022-2023).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $50,590,875 | $50,618,465 | $51,781,835 |
| Revenue | $2,599,055 | $1,792,486 | $4,929,608 |
| Expenses | $2,626,645 | $2,961,051 | $3,083,090 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,415,405 | $2,678,052 | $2,670,673 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,387,815 | $1,569,570 | $4,591,325 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,160,981 | $2,564,896 | $2,532,157 |
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
65 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Douglas A Christensen: President
- Andrew B Kjos: Treasurer and Secretary
- Julie A Barner: Trustee
- Wells Fargo Bank ND NA: Principal Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas A Christensen | President | 2 | $15,000 |
| Andrew B Kjos | Secretary/Treasurer | 1 | $15,000 |
| Julie A Barner | Trustee | 0.5 | $15,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been actively supporting integrated leadership programs at regional institutions. A notable initiative includes funding for an integrated leadership program at Mayville State University, which established six key leadership traits as the foundation for curriculum development: leading by example, ethical judgment, leading with purpose, communication, always learning, and leadership self-direction.
: Mayville State University :: Mayville, NDThe foundation has also supported the development of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center, reflecting its commitment to institutionalizing leadership development within educational institutions.
Community Foundation Awards $615K through Larson Endowment | Grand TraverseSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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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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