Happy Dancing Turtle
Happy Dancing Turtle is a private foundation, based in Pine River, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $11.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $26K. Net investment income was $555K.
Happy Dancing Turtle at a glance
In short: Happy Dancing Turtle gave $26K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,261
- -12.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -27.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,283
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $143
- Total assets
- $11,746,692
- +6.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Happy Dancing Turtle funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wondertek Children's Museum ($25K). Together the top 8 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 48 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Happy Dancing Turtle gives
- Giving grew 451% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2021) to $205K (2022). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $26K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wondertek Children's Museum Brainerd, MN | Cornerstorn Commitment | $25,000 |
| Pine River Area Foundation Pine River, MN | Blugrass Festival Sponsor | $500 |
| Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation St Cloud, MN | General Support | $250 |
| Northern Community Radio Inc Grand Rapids, MN | Sponsorship of uofm extension crsdp lakes area sustainability fest | $186 |
| Pine River-Backus Family Center Pine River, MN | In Lieu of Radiothon to End Child Abuse | $100 |
| Pine River-Backus PTO Pine River, MN | PTO - Family Fun Night | $100 |
| Xerces Society Inc Portland, OR | General Support | $75 |
| Friends of the Trempealeau Library Trempealeau, WI | Donation to Fundraiser | $50 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,746,692 | $712,861 | $829,390 | $26,261 | 8 | $712,853 | $554,786 |
| 2023 | $11,026,244 | $550,020 | $741,237 | $30,100 | 11 | $623,479 | $556,881 |
| 2022 | $10,091,617 | $220,209 | $904,314 | $204,650 | 11 | $944,044 | $159,488 |
| 2021 | $12,040,072 | $517,767 | $517,322 | $4,770 | 8 | $576,122 | $378,780 |
| 2020 | $11,052,496 | $351,202 | $518,032 | $5,113 | 10 | — | $224,173 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Happy Dancing Turtle is led by Quinn Swanson, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Quinn Swanson
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$73K (2020) → $100K (2024)
Lynn Hunt
Chair
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Don Hickman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erika Bailey Johnson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Anderholm
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexa Shapiro
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deanne Trottier
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Mitchell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Thesing
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Hunt
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Paul Hunt
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Chris Lindholm (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Molly Zins (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lissa Pawlisch (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Bernie Roberts (2020) — Director
- Former: John Poston (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $100K, to Quinn Swanson (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Happy Dancing Turtle
How much does Happy Dancing Turtle give each year?
Happy Dancing Turtle gave $26K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $30K across 11 grants.
What is Happy Dancing Turtle's typical grant size?
Happy Dancing Turtle's median grant in 2024 was $143, and its average grant was $3,283, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Happy Dancing Turtle give grants?
Happy Dancing Turtle gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pine River, MN (3 grants).
Does Happy Dancing Turtle give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Happy Dancing Turtle's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Happy Dancing Turtle's largest grantees?
Happy Dancing Turtle's largest 2024 grantees include Wondertek Children's Museum ($25,000), Pine River Area Foundation ($500) and Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation ($250), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Happy Dancing Turtle?
Happy Dancing Turtle reported $11.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $713K.
What is Happy Dancing Turtle's EIN?
Happy Dancing Turtle's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4188279. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Happy Dancing Turtle 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 Happy Dancing Turtle's focus areas in our free grants database
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Happy Dancing Turtle down — hundreds of funders to go?