Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation
The Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation is a private foundation based in Williston, North Dakota. Its 2025 filing reports scholarships for individual recipients, with all grant dollars going to recipients in North Dakota.
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation at a glance
In short: Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation gave $21K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in North Dakota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $21,000
- +13.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- +31.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,000
- -13.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $479,809
- +3.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its 2024 filing describes an application process using a preprinted application and a copy of the most recent grade transcript. Awards are restricted to graduates of a high school located in Williams County, North Dakota, or Carrington, North Dakota, who attend Williston State College or the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
- Review Cycle
- April 1 each year, with an annual application required. The deadline for the 2026 cycle has passed.
- Deadline
- April 1 each year, with an annual application required.
- Contact
Application contact: American State Bank Trust Co
Mailing address: 223 Main St PO Box 1446, Williston, ND 58802-1446
Phone: (701) 774-4120
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 86 grants of 86 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in North Dakota. The application restrictions stated on the 2024 filing specify eligible high school locations in Williams County, North Dakota, or Carrington, North Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2022) to $21K (2025). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $21K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 21 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $21,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $479,809 | $42,921 | $28,667 | $21,000 | 21 | $26,509 | $40,763 | $27,116 |
| 2024 | $465,055 | $50,530 | $25,386 | $18,500 | 16 | $23,466 | $48,610 | $25,108 |
| 2023 | $438,661 | $23,628 | $25,717 | $20,000 | 17 | $24,206 | $22,117 | $23,383 |
| 2022 | $440,000 | $33,759 | $24,467 | $18,000 | 12 | $22,418 | $32,130 | $25,211 |
| 2021 | $429,208 | $30,120 | $28,634 | $20,000 | 20 | — | $28,370 | $27,170 |
| 2020 | $426,722 | $83,688 | $25,583 | $18,006 | 21 | — | $82,149 | $22,357 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $21,000 through 21 grants. Each grant was $1,000. The listed grants were scholarships to individual recipients.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marilyn McGinley, John MacMaster, and Nancy Hoffelt on the advisory committee, and American State Bank Trust Co as trustee.
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
American State Bank Trust CO
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $0 (2025)
John Macmaster
Advisory Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn McGinley
Advisory Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Hoffelt
Advisory Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $5K, to American State Bank Trust CO (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation
How much does Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation give each year?
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation gave $21K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $19K across 16 grants.
What is Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's typical grant size?
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,000, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation give grants?
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation gives mostly in North Dakota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (20 grants).
How large is Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation?
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation reported $480K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $27K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $27K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
How do I apply for a grant from Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's EIN?
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0447357. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in North Dakota
Dolores J & Robert A Bochatey Foundation
Lakewood, CO
The Dolores J & Robert A Bochatey Foundation funds academic education, job training, and support for learning disabilities, including scholarships, literacy, and related programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000; it considers individual grants in 17 states across the central and western U.S., and its website provides application routes for individuals and organizations.
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
14
Total Given
$75K
Otter Tail Power Company Foundation
Fergus Falls, MN
The Otter Tail Power Company Foundation funds public charities and educational organizations working in community and cultural development, education, the environment, and health and human services in Otter Tail Power Company’s service area. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $60,000, with a median award of $2,500; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.3M
Grants
156
Total Given
$882K
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
Appleton, WI
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing distributes donor-directed and program donations to a broad range of causes and organizations in local, national, and global communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $11,520 and ranged from $5,006 to $5 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$939.7M
Grants
2,565
Total Given
$84.6M
BNSF Railway Foundation
Fort Worth, TX
The BNSF Railway Foundation funds civic, cultural, education, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, including operating costs and specific projects. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged from $100 to $500,000; it supports eligible organizations serving communities near BNSF rail lines across its 28 operating states. The foundation provides an online application process, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
993
Total Given
$7.0M
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Missoula, MT
The Foundation supports education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community service, with an emphasis on direct services for underserved people in Montana and areas where The Washington Companies operate. Its 2024 grants ranged from $242 to $5 million, with a median award of $10,000; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
547
Total Given
$50.0M
The Barry Foundation
Fargo, ND
The Barry Foundation funds education, housing and human services, health, spirituality, the environment, and arts, with much of its giving in North Dakota and Minnesota. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $335,000, with a median of $1,325; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$54.9M
Grants
322
Total Given
$1.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Dakota
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation'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.
Frank a & M Esther Wenstrom Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?