Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation
The Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation is a private foundation based in Eagan, Minnesota. Its 2025 filing reports grants to organizations in Utah, and its filing states that awards are restricted to the benefit of Utah residents and people living in the state.
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation at a glance
In short: Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation gave $390K across 78 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Utah. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $389,500
- -17.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 78
- -9.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,994
- -8.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,250
- Total assets
- $5,621,176
- -0.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (5 of 71, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Utah (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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2023 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It instructs applicants to submit a written form clearly setting forth the intended purpose. The filing names Songa Corbin as the attention line and states that awards must benefit residents and persons living in Utah.
- Review Cycle
- None stated in the 2023 filing.
- Deadline
- None stated in the 2023 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Attn Songa Corbin
Mailing address: PO Box 3058, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (801) 534-6045
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Univ of Utah - SJ Quinney College O ($15K). Together the top 10 received $111K.
Organizations only. It also paid 8 grants to individuals ($33,750), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
286 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 286 grants of 286 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2023 filing restricts awards to the benefit of residents and persons living in Utah. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Utah.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 71 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 29% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 118% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $183K (2021) to $551K (2022). In 2025 it made 78 grants totaling $390K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Univ of Utah - SJ Quinney College O Salt Lake City, UT | Scholarships for College of Law | $15,000 |
| Utah Legal Services Salt Lake City, UT | Legal Services for Low-Income Families | $15,000 |
| Crossroads Urban Center Salt Lake City, UT | Emergency food pantry, thrift store, and food co op | $13,500 |
| Scottish Rite Foundation of Utah Ogden, UT | Speech/Language Therapy for Children | $10,000 |
| Assistance League of SLC Salt Lake City, UT | For Operation School Bell Program | $10,000 |
| Utah Food Bank Salt Lake City, UT | Food Collection and Distribution | $10,000 |
| Volunteers of America-UT Salt Lake City, UT | Homeless Youth Resource Center | $10,000 |
| Odyssey House Salt Lake City, UT | Change behaviors and lifestyles of those struggling with drug and alcohol abuse | $10,000 |
| Utah Council of the Blind Woods Cross, UT | Establish programs to help people who are blind to be more independent and active in their communities | $10,000 |
| YWCA of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Children's Advocacy & Intervention Program | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Herbert I & Elsa B Michael 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 | $5,621,176 | $448,312 | $482,428 | $389,500 | 78 | $409,257 | $375,141 | $346,554 |
| 2024 | $5,652,770 | $180,823 | $561,337 | $469,026 | 86 | $487,488 | $107,092 | $339,167 |
| 2023 | $6,036,878 | $177,409 | $85,752 | — | — | $17,151 | $108,808 | $317,852 |
| 2022 | $5,937,719 | $390,570 | $660,234 | $551,200 | 85 | $573,007 | $303,343 | $348,265 |
| 2021 | $6,190,567 | $478,680 | $287,537 | $183,000 | 37 | — | $395,051 | $368,288 |
| 2020 | $5,994,894 | $197,129 | $428,486 | $333,000 | 66 | — | $120,740 | $328,930 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation reported a distributable amount of $347K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available sources do not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including legal aid, food assistance, education, homelessness services, children’s programs, and services for people who are blind.
Examples illustrate the grantees’ work: Utah Legal Services describes its mission as providing free civil legal aid to people unable to afford representation or facing disadvantages. Crossroads Urban Center says it provides food, clothing, and housing assistance to low-income individuals and minorities. The Utah Council of the Blind describes services including transportation, reading, social and educational activities, and training for visually impaired people. The Road Home says it helps individuals and families exit homelessness through emergency shelter and housing services.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 78 grants totaling $389,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $15,000, with a median of $4,250. Among the largest reported awards were $15,000 to the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law for scholarships and $15,000 to Utah Legal Services for legal services for low-income families. Crossroads Urban Center received $13,500 for its emergency food pantry, thrift store, and food co-op. Other listed awards included $10,000 each to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Utah, Assistance League of Salt Lake City, Utah Food Bank, Volunteers of America–Utah, Odyssey House, and Utah Council of the Blind.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists U.S. Bank National Association as trustee; Jason W. Hardin and Swenson Law Firm LLC as co-trustees; and Keith Odendahl, Taylor Randall, and Matthew Durrant on the charitable committee.
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; 4 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Swenson LAW Firm LLC
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
$6K (2020) → $0 (2025)
US Bank National Association
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$76K (2020) → $81K (2025)
Jason W. Hardin
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
$347 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Keith Odendahl
Char Committee
On filings since 2020
$830 (2020) → $2K (2025)
Matthew Durrant
Char Committee
On filings since 2020
$830 (2020) → $2K (2025)
Taylor Randall
Char Committee
On filings since 2021
$2K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Peter Billings Jr. Esq. (2020) — Co-Trustee
- Former: Ruth Watkins (2020) — Char Committee
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 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $81K, to US Bank National Association (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation
How much does Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation give each year?
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation gave $390K across 78 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $469K across 86 grants.
What is Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's typical grant size?
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,250, and its average grant was $4,994, across 78 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation give grants?
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation gives mostly in Utah: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (60 grants) and Ogden, UT (2 grants).
Does Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 78 grants with a stated purpose on Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's largest grantees?
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Univ of Utah - SJ Quinney College O ($15,000), Utah Legal Services ($15,000) and Crossroads Urban Center ($13,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 8 grants to individuals ($33,750), which are not listed by name. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation?
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $409K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $347K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation fund?
The available sources do not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including legal aid, food assistance, education, homelessness services, children’s programs, and services for people who are blind. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation?
The foundation’s 2023 filing says it 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 Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's EIN?
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-6122556. 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 September 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 March 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Henry W & Leslie M Eskuche
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation funds religious, charitable, literacy, scientific, and educational work, including services for children and animals and medical research; it strongly favors organizations benefiting people in Utah. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $185,000, with a median of $4,000. It accepts written applications from public charities; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$4.7M
Grants
90
Total Given
$598K
George S and Dolores Dore
Salt Lake City, UT
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation funds arts and culture, community, education, health and wellness, and preservation and conservation, primarily for organizations serving Utah. Its 2024 grants had a median of $17,750, though awards ranged from $500 to $5.575 million. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online Letter of Inquiry.
Assets
$966.8M
Grants
400
Total Given
$27.0M
Sorenson Legacy Foundation
Midvale, UT
The Sorenson Legacy Foundation funds education, arts education, innovation, health care, and community initiatives, with a strong preference for work in Utah. In 2024, it made 266 grants ranging from $700 to $5.675 million, with a median award of $20,000. It accepts applications through its application process and lists quarterly deadlines of December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1.
Assets
$465.5M
Grants
266
Total Given
$28.0M
Marriner S Eccles Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
The Marriner S. Eccles Foundation funds Utah organizations in areas including education, health, arts and culture, youth services, and community support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$78.1M
Grants
114
Total Given
$2.2M
Castle Foundation
Milwaukee, WI
The Milwaukee-based Castle Foundation has supported public charities working in health care, basic needs, legal aid, vision care, youth, and economic empowerment, with a preference for organizations serving Utah. Its 2022 grants ranged from $3,000 to $8,000, but it reported no grants in 2023–2025, so a typical giving level is unclear. It accepts written applications from public charities; no deadline is stated.
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
89
Total Given
$269K
Lawrence & Janet Dee Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
The foundation supports arts and culture, community services, conservation, education, and healthcare, with preference for work serving Ogden and Salt Lake City; applicants must be Utah-based, and other Utah requests are considered on a limited basis. Its 2024 filing reported $3,041,500 in grants, but the available information does not establish a typical award size. It accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, though its website limits portal applications to organizations funded within the past three years; the fall 2026 inquiry period is closed.
Assets
$52.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$3.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/herbert-i-and-elsa-b-michael-foundation-morg_8b8e3173d52d44afa101094488dfa1de
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_876122556_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Herbert I \& Elsa B Michael Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/herbert-i-and-elsa-b-michael-foundation-morg_8b8e3173d52d44afa101094488dfa1de},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Herbert I & Elsa B Michael 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.
Herbert I & Elsa B Michael Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?