Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation

OMAHA, NE EIN: 45-0450400

The Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation is an independent private foundation established in North Dakota and currently based in Omaha, Nebraska. The foundation operates from 3540 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 68105-2429.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$405K

-18.1% YoY

Grant Count

29

+20.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

-32.2% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Grantmaking

The foundation makes grants to support various causes. Recent documented grants include:

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation maintains primary operations in Omaha, Nebraska, with historical connections to North Dakota and the broader Upper Midwest region.

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Cities

CambridgeDetroit LakesFargoMinneapolisMinnetonkaNew YorkOmahaPetalumaPlymouthRichardtonRichfieldRosevilleSanta RosaSt CloudSt Louis ParkVictoria

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$124K$248K$371K$495K27 grants202024 grants202124 grants202224 grants202329 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

NDSU Foundation$110KUnited Way Cass Clay$50KSalvation Army Fargo$25KVillage Family Service$25KYWCA Cass Clay$25KDakota Boys Ranch$20KDetroit Lakes Community …$15KHospice of Red River Val…$15KCOTS$12KPetaluma People Services$12K

Grant Size Distribution

128 grants across all recorded years

125<$50K1$50–100K1$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include NDSU Foundation ($110,000), United Way Cass Clay ($50,000), Salvation Army Fargo ($25,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
COTS Petaluma, CASupport for General Operations$12,000
Fraser LTD Fargo, NDSupport for General Operations$10,000
Food Bank for the Heartland Omaha, NESupport for General Operations$5,000
Jeremiah Program Fargo Fargo, NDSupport for General Operations$5,000
Becker County Food Pantry Detroit Lakes, MNSupport for General Operations$2,000
United Way Cass Clay Fargo, NDSupport for General Operations$50,000
Lakes Crisis Center Detroit Lakes, MNSupport for General Operations$2,000
Open Door Mission Omaha, NESupport for General Operations$10,000
Petaluma People Services Petaluma, CASupport for General Operations$12,000
Salvation Army Fargo Fargo, NDSupport for General Operations$25,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Contact Information:

  • Telephone: 402-341-1360
  • Contact: Susan Westerholm

Founder Background:

Harold Madson (May 20, 1923 – February 7, 2016) was a prominent businessman and co-founder of what became Border States Electric Supply Company. After graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1941, he worked in the aircraft industry for Lockheed and Boeing. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II as a Second Lieutenant and pilot. Following his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from North Dakota State University.

In 1958, Harold Madson partnered with J.O. Stolee of Grand Forks and J.L. Thompson of Fargo to establish Thompson Stolee Company, which later became Border States Electric Supply Company. He served as President beginning in 1961 when the family relocated to Fargo, and retired in 1985 as Chairman of the Board. At the time of his retirement, the company operated eight branches across a tri-state area and has since expanded to approximately 80 locations across central and western regions of the United States.

Harold was married to Dorothy for 73 years and had four children: Paul, Jeannie, Susy, and Jane, along with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Dorothy L MadsonFirst Vice-Chair0.25
Paul C MadsonTrustee0.25
Dina ConzemiusTrustee0.25
Susan Ann WesterholmTrustee0.25
Jane M McDonaldTrustee0.25

Leadership & Contact

Contact Information:

  • Telephone: 402-341-1360
  • Contact: Susan Westerholm

Founder Background:

Harold Madson (May 20, 1923 – February 7, 2016) was a prominent businessman and co-founder of what became Border States Electric Supply Company. After graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1941, he worked in the aircraft industry for Lockheed and Boeing. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II as a Second Lieutenant and pilot. Following his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from North Dakota State University.

In 1958, Harold Madson partnered with J.O. Stolee of Grand Forks and J.L. Thompson of Fargo to establish Thompson Stolee Company, which later became Border States Electric Supply Company. He served as President beginning in 1961 when the family relocated to Fargo, and retired in 1985 as Chairman of the Board. At the time of his retirement, the company operated eight branches across a tri-state area and has since expanded to approximately 80 locations across central and western regions of the United States.

Harold was married to Dorothy for 73 years and had four children: Paul, Jeannie, Susy, and Jane, along with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a grant from Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation?

The foundation makes grants to support various causes. Recent documented grants include: • **Sal Army - Henry Ogram Trust** (2024): $10,000 for support of general operations The foundation's grant activity demonstrates support for military and veterans organizations.

Where does Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation make grants?

The foundation maintains primary operations in Omaha, Nebraska, with historical connections to North Dakota and the broader Upper Midwest region.

What size grants does Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation award?

In 2024, Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $405K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation's EIN?

Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0450400. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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