Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation
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
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
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
128 grants across all recorded years
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).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COTS Petaluma, CA | Support for General Operations | $12,000 |
| Fraser LTD Fargo, ND | Support for General Operations | $10,000 |
| Food Bank for the Heartland Omaha, NE | Support for General Operations | $5,000 |
| Jeremiah Program Fargo Fargo, ND | Support for General Operations | $5,000 |
| Becker County Food Pantry Detroit Lakes, MN | Support for General Operations | $2,000 |
| United Way Cass Clay Fargo, ND | Support for General Operations | $50,000 |
| Lakes Crisis Center Detroit Lakes, MN | Support for General Operations | $2,000 |
| Open Door Mission Omaha, NE | Support for General Operations | $10,000 |
| Petaluma People Services Petaluma, CA | Support for General Operations | $12,000 |
| Salvation Army Fargo Fargo, ND | Support 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
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy L Madson | First Vice-Chair | 0.25 | — |
| Paul C Madson | Trustee | 0.25 | — |
| Dina Conzemius | Trustee | 0.25 | — |
| Susan Ann Westerholm | Trustee | 0.25 | — |
| Jane M McDonald | Trustee | 0.25 | — |
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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