Essentia Health Foundation is a public charity based in Duluth, Minnesota, and the philanthropic branch of Essentia Health. It raises and distributes funds to support health care organizations, patients, families, and communities, with work that includes program support, patient services, equipment, facilities, research, and community health initiatives.
Key facts about Essentia Health Foundation
In short: Essentia Health Foundation gave $932K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $78K), mostly in Minnesota. 17% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 27-1984704
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $932,166
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- Average grant
- $77,681
- Median grant
- $17,791
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (2 of 12, 2025)
- Total assets
- $25,791,076
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$25.8M
+6.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$932K
-94.7% YoY
Grant Count
12
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
-93.0% YoY
Is Essentia Health Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 12 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $91K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $26K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+3%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to make a healthy difference in people’s lives.” Its website says the foundation helps fund care facilities, research, healing practices, technology, programs, and recruitment and retention of health professionals. Its 2024 filing describes fundraising for supported organizations and programmatic support benefiting patients, families, and staff.
For its Community Grant program, Essentia identifies four focus areas: economic stability, including housing, workforce development, childcare, and healthy food; access to education and healthy youth development; access to timely, appropriate health care; and neighborhood improvements that promote health and safety. The foundation’s 2024 filing says grants are made primarily to Essentia Health members and affiliated organizations, and that community-based program grants may support patient assistance, supplies, prevention, awareness, support groups, educational activities, or medical-field scholarships.
Among 2025 recipients, Ely Community Health Center describes its work as providing a no-cost weekly medical and dental clinic for uninsured or underinsured people, including basic care, prescriptions, diagnostics, and referrals. St. Mary’s Regional Health Center describes its mission as promoting holistic healing, with special concern for poor and powerless people. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $932,166. Grant sizes ranged from $5,230 to $263,188, with a median of $17,790. The listed grants were primarily for program support.
Grant Range
s ranged from $5,230 to $263,188, with a median of $17,790. The listed grants were primarily for program support.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Essentia Health Foundation
Ready to take the next step with Essentia Health Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Community Grant program’s stated geographic scope is Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The foundation says it serves nine regions across those states. In filing year 2025, grant dollars were reported as 79% to Minnesota recipients, 21% to North Dakota recipients, and 1% to Pennsylvania recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $903K (2022) to $17.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $932K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was SMDC Medical Center ($263K). Together the top 10 received $922K.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 82 (70%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SMDC Medical Center Duluth, MN | Program Support | $263,188 |
| St Mary's Regional Health Center Detroit Lakes, MN | Program Support | $213,859 |
| Innovis Health LLC Fargo, ND | Program Support | $193,745 |
| St Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd, MN | Program Support | $156,148 |
| St Mary's Medical Center Duluth, MN | Program Support | $33,667 |
| ELY Community Health Center ELY, MN | Program Support | $18,000 |
| Essentia Institute of Rural Health Duluth, MN | Program Support | $17,581 |
| Bridges Medical Center Ada, MN | Program Support | $12,589 |
| Essentia Health Duluth, MN | Program Support | $6,818 |
| Adalyn Rose Foundation Wyomissing, PA | Program Support | $6,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,791,076 | $7,496,239 | $4,851,078 | $932,166 | 12 |
| 2024 | $24,247,152 | $6,625,087 | $21,450,522 | $17,735,350 | 16 |
| 2023 | $36,679,491 | $5,508,669 | $4,751,059 | $1,571,628 | 22 |
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it received $4.6 million from more than 4,600 donors in FY2025. It separately reports that local advisory boards distributed $1.3 million to supported organizations and community programs.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,791,076 | $24,247,152 | $36,679,491 |
| Revenue | $7,496,239 | $6,625,087 | $5,508,669 |
| Expenses | $4,851,078 | $21,450,522 | $4,751,059 |
| Net Investment Income | $881,132 | $981,502 | $823,714 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 29, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Matthew Piede as chief development officer, Susan Omdalen as foundation director, and Robin Pestalozzi as program director. Listed board members include Kimberly Stokes, vice chair; Jason Schuller, director; Kerri Edblad-Chilcote, chair and treasurer; Michelle Buria, director; Yvette Campbell, director; Richard Brown, chair through December 2024; and Shara Fischer, treasurer through October 24 and board director.
Essentia Health Foundation is led by Richard Brown, Board Chair on every filing since 2019; 3 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard Brown
Board Chair
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerri Edblad-Chilcote
Board Chair & Treasurer
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Omdalen
Foundation Director
Director of Development → Foundation Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
60 hrs/week
$117K (2019) → $156K (2025)
Robin Pestalozzi
Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
60 hrs/week
$130K (2025)
Jason Schuller
Board Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Buria
Board Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvette Campbell
Board Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Piede
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2024
60 hrs/week
$191K (2024) → $370K (2025)
Shara Fischer
Board Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Stokes
Board Vice Chair
Board Director → Board Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Robert Bennett (2019–2024) — Board Director
- Former: Robert Erickson MD (2019–2024) — Board Director & Related Org Physician
- Former: Melissa Lage (2020–2024) — Board Director
- Former: Leann Mouw (2022–2024) — Foundation Operations Director
- Former: Derek Groves (2019–2023) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Grant Hauschild (2021–2023) — Foundation Director
- Former: Lainie Janke (2021–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Faye Witt (2019–2022) — Board Director
- Former: James Garvey (2019–2021) — Former Interim Executive Director
- Former: Val Knudsen (2019–2020) — Board Director
- Former: Carrie Edblad (2019) — Board Director
- Former: Craig Nathan (2019) — Board Director
- Former: Jim Rehder (2019) — Board Director
- Former: Jim Sinclair (2019) — Board Director
- Former: Mike Seyfer (2019) — Board Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $370K, to Matthew Piede (Chief Development Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 502 E 2Nd St, Duluth, MN 55805
Phone: (218) 786-8966
Website: https://essentiahealth.org
Frequently asked questions about Essentia Health Foundation
How much does Essentia Health Foundation give each year?
Essentia Health Foundation gave $932K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $17.7M across 16 grants.
What is Essentia Health Foundation's typical grant size?
Essentia Health Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,791, and its average grant was $77,681, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Essentia Health Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Essentia Health Foundation give grants?
Essentia Health Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Dakota (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Duluth, MN (4 grants).
Does Essentia Health Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Essentia Health Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (12 grants).
Who are Essentia Health Foundation's largest grantees?
Essentia Health Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include SMDC Medical Center ($263,188), St Mary's Regional Health Center ($213,859) and Innovis Health LLC ($193,745), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Essentia Health Foundation?
Essentia Health Foundation reported $25.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.5M.
What does Essentia Health Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to make a healthy difference in people’s lives.” Its website says the foundation helps fund care facilities, research, healing practices, technology, programs, and recruitment and retention of health professionals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Essentia Health Foundation?
Essentia Health Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check essentiahealth.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Essentia Health Foundation's EIN?
Essentia Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1984704. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Essentia Health Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Essentia Health Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Otto Bremer Trust
St. Paul, MN
The Otto Bremer Trust funds organizations and projects addressing community needs and opportunities, including health care and social services, in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,500 to $4.2 million, with a median of $150,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or direct grant applications; Community Responsive Fund grants are offered through selected intermediaries.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
180
Total Given
$57.2M
Initiative Foundation
Little Falls, MN
The Initiative Foundation funds nonprofit and community capacity-building, economic and workforce development, childcare, and community resilience in Central Minnesota’s 14-county region and portions of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $24,500, with individual grants ranging from $5,176 to $146,160. General grant applications are submitted through its portal and reviewed on a rolling, competitive basis; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$114.7M
Grants
214
Total Given
$5.5M
Communitygiving
St Cloud, MN
CommunityGiving supports nonprofits, schools, government entities, students, and community initiatives through partner foundations, donor-directed funds, competitive grants, and scholarships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,100 to $680,477, with a median of $15,528; most funding went to Minnesota, though its network also includes Derby, Kansas. Competitive grant applications are accepted through online systems for specific opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$282.6M
Grants
426
Total Given
$16.7M
Crow Wing Power Community Trust
Brainerd, MN
Accumulate and disburse funds for educational and charitable purposes
Assets
$152K
Grants
2
Total Given
$21K
C K Blandin Foundation
Grand Rapids, MN
The C K Blandin Foundation funds community wealth-building, rural placemaking and small-community efforts, including work on housing, civic engagement, community spaces and food systems. It primarily supports rural Minnesota, especially Itasca County and nearby communities, and its 2024 median grant was $2,900, though awards ranged from $50 to $335,000.
Assets
$506.3M
Grants
931
Total Given
$15.8M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic development, health and human services, youth and education, arts and culture, democracy, and nonprofit capacity, serving the East Metro and communities statewide. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000, while the Management Improvement Fund offers up to $15,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through open application programs, though some opportunities are invite-only.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
The Minneapolis Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Foundation supports civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education equity, community safety, health, and the environment. In 2025, its grants had a median of $25,000, though awards varied widely; 77% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients. It does not state a general policy on unsolicited requests; current opportunities are closed, and some programs are invitation-based.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
Minnesota Power Foundation
Duluth, MN
The foundation supports eligible nonprofits and accredited schools in Minnesota Power’s service area working in education, environment, community services, youth development, arts and culture, and health and human services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $99,500, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to Minnesota, with some to Wisconsin. It accepts applications throughout the year.
Assets
$961K
Grants
143
Total Given
$655K
Ucare Foundation
Stuart, VA
UCare Foundation funds charitable programs that improve the health of underserved populations, including preventive care, food and nutrition support, and mental wellness programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,500 to $50,000, with a median of $30,000; its stated focus is the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.
Assets
$11.2M
Grants
14
Total Given
$397K
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation funds education, health care, and human services, including college scholarships, with most support benefiting working- and middle-class families in specified Minnesota and Florida counties; it also makes some national grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $50 to $10 million. It plans to move to invitation-only grantmaking in 2027; whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$218.3M
Grants
1,431
Total Given
$47.9M
Wells Fargo Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Wells Fargo Foundation funds nonprofits working on financial opportunity, affordable housing, and small-business growth, with giving at national and local levels. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $8 million, with a median of $35,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations are invited to apply.
Assets
$8.6M
Grants
1,376
Total Given
$157.4M
The McKnight Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The McKnight Foundation funds nonprofit organizations, research, and community initiatives in arts and culture, food systems, climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, primarily in Minnesota and the Midwest, with some work in Africa and South America and beyond. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,150 to $10 million, with a median of $100,000; prospective applicants are asked to contact program staff first, who provide proposal instructions if they determine funding may be considered.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
790
Total Given
$145.9M
More Funders in Minnesota
Essentia Health Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?