Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust
The Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust is a private foundation based in Dillingham, Alaska. It provides scholarships to residents of Bristol Bay’s 17 CDQ communities who attend accredited colleges, and offers academic support to scholarship recipients.
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust at a glance
In short: Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust gave $718K across 69 grants in 2023 (avg $10K), mostly in Alaska. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $717,996
- +10.0% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 69
- -5.5% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $10,406
- +16.3% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $11,000
- Total assets
- $16,856,608
- +11.8% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- Alaska (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to the scholarship application and states that the application process, materials, deadlines, and award restrictions are described there. The trust’s website lists a full-year and a midyear scholarship cycle. Its 2026–2027 full-year application deadline was June 5, 2026, which has passed. The application requires, among other materials, a completed application, residency documentation, a transcript, a letter of interest, proof of full-time enrollment in a degree program, and a cost-of-attendance sheet. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
- Contact
Application contact: Bristol Bay Economic Development Co
Mailing address: PO Box 1464, Dillingham, AK 99576-1464
Phone: (907) 842-4370
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
267 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 267 grants of 267 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust’s scholarship eligibility is limited to residents of Bristol Bay CDQ communities. Its website lists 17 communities: Aleknagik, Clarks Point, Dillingham, Egegik, Ekuk, Ekwok, King Salmon, Levelock, Manokotak, Naknek, Pilot Point, Portage Creek, Port Heiden, South Naknek, Togiak, Twin Hills, and Ugashik. The 2023 filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust gives
- Giving grew 26% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $572K (2020) to $774K (2021). In 2023 it made 69 grants totaling $718K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 50 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $585,746 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The trust reported 69 grants in 2023, 73 in 2022, and 60 in 2021.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $16,856,608 | $1,141,717 | $895,489 | $717,996 | 69 | $870,592 | $539,248 | $789,847 |
| 2022 | $15,079,385 | $943,824 | $827,648 | $652,958 | 73 | $793,224 | $353,806 | $782,568 |
| 2021 | $17,904,495 | $1,624,940 | $958,521 | $773,600 | 60 | $913,187 | $1,025,652 | $842,245 |
| 2020 | $16,039,038 | $959,061 | $750,343 | $571,853 | 65 | — | $383,684 | $704,705 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust reported a distributable amount of $790K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The trust’s stated charitable activities are its scholarship program for residents of the 17 Bristol Bay CDQ communities attending accredited colleges and its academic support program for scholarship recipients. The academic support program provides campus support at UAF, UAA, and Fort Lewis College and offers tutoring.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the trust reported 69 grants totaling $717,996. Individual grants ranged from $4,625 to $15,625, with a median of $11,000. The largest listed grants were to individual recipients for educational scholarships: seven of $15,625 and one of $14,371. The filing also lists four grants of $11,000 for educational scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The trust’s 2023 filing lists Betty Gardiner as secretary; Gusty Ilutsik Jr and Mary Ann K Johnson as presidents; Gerda Kosbruk as treasurer; H Robin Samuelsen Jr as a board member; and Fritz Sharp as vice president.
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust is led by Mary Ann K. Johnson, President on every filing since 2020; all 6 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Mary Ann K. Johnson
President
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2023)
Gusty Ilutsik Jr.
President
New on the 2023 filing
0.1 hrs/week
$2K (2023)
Fritz Sharp
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2023)
Gerda Kosbruk
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $2K (2023)
H. Robin Samuelsen Jr.
Board Member
Ex-Officio Board Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $250 (2023)
Betty Gardiner
Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
$1K (2022) → $2K (2023)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Michael Gottschalk (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Harry W. Wassily Sr. (2021–2022) — Secretary -
- Former: Kenneth Jensen (2020–2021) — Secretary -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $2K, to Betty Gardiner (Secretary). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust
How much does Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust give each year?
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust gave $718K across 69 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $653K across 73 grants.
What is Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust's typical grant size?
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust's median grant in 2023 was $11,000, and its average grant was $10,406, across 69 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust give grants?
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust gives mostly in Alaska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 69 grants with a stated purpose on Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational Scholarship" (69 grants).
How large is Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust?
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust reported $16.9M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $871K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $790K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust fund?
The trust’s stated charitable activities are its scholarship program for residents of the 17 Bristol Bay CDQ communities attending accredited colleges and its academic support program for scholarship recipients. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust?
The filing directs applicants to the scholarship application and states that the application process, materials, deadlines, and award restrictions are described there. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust's EIN?
Harvey Samuelsen Scholarship Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0065137. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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