Ja Wedum Foundation
The J.A. Wedum Foundation is a private foundation based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Its stated mission is to use its resources to improve people’s lives, and it identifies educational support and charitable giving as priorities. Its website also describes work in senior housing.
Ja Wedum Foundation at a glance
In short: Ja Wedum Foundation gave $1.3M across 108 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Minnesota. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,326,000
- -5.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 108
- -3.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,278
- -1.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $168,962,411
- +2.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (25 of 89, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ja Wedum Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its filing lists Jay Portz as the contact and requests a résumé of academic qualifications or a standard grant application. It gives a preference to geographical markets where the foundation operates and owns real estate.
- Contact
Application contact: Jay Portz
Mailing address: Two Carlson Parkway North Ste 335, Plymouth, MN 55447
Phone: (612) 789-3363
Website: https://wedum.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ja Wedum Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Alexandria Technical College Foundation ($510K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $901K.
Grant Size Distribution
490 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 468 grants of 490 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing says it prefers geographical markets where it operates and owns real estate. In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients; the remaining shares went to North Carolina (2%), Idaho (2%), Washington (1%), and Texas (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 108 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ja Wedum Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 89 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 56% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 232% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2024) to $3.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 108 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Technical College Foundation Alexandria, MN | Capital | $500,000 |
| West Central Area Education Foundation Barrett, MN | General Operating | $100,000 |
| Fergus Area College Foundation Inc Fergus Falls, MN | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Allina Hospice Foundation Minneapolis, MN | General Operating | $40,000 |
| Pinky Swear Foundation Edina, MN | General Operating | $30,000 |
| St Cloud Area Schools Waite Park, MN | General Operating | $30,000 |
| Central Minnesota Community Foundation St Cloud, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation Minneapolis, MN | General Operating | $17,500 |
| Baptist on Mission Cary, NC | General Operating | $16,000 |
| Bolder Options Minneapolis, MN | General Operating | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ja Wedum 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $168,962,411 | $36,522,852 | $29,099,535 | $1,326,000 | 108 | $7,325,072 | $4,757,028 | $3,150,951 |
| 2023 | $164,265,416 | $32,945,038 | $29,064,403 | $1,399,119 | 112 | $5,612,538 | $3,635,098 | $2,711,955 |
| 2022 | $150,939,494 | $28,181,017 | $26,608,240 | $1,623,111 | 96 | $19,021,983 | $935,493 | $2,566,536 |
| 2021 | $141,295,178 | $28,441,684 | $28,947,270 | $2,988,700 | 95 | $7,375,718 | $2,770,173 | $5,682,450 |
| 2020 | $166,620,962 | $30,141,821 | $22,284,335 | $1,695,754 | 79 | — | $7,075,251 | $2,902,206 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ja Wedum Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2024 — 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 foundation’s mission is “to develop and utilize the resources of the foundation to positively change and improve people’s lives in the spirit of stewardship and generosity exemplified by John A. Wedum, the grandfather, and carried forward by John A. Wedum, the grandson.” It says scholarships are its highest priority; other grants to worthy causes are considered annually, including grants for capital needs. Its community-foundation program provides guidance and financial support to help Minnesota communities establish community foundations.
Recipients in 2024 included educational institutions and foundations, schools, and organizations addressing other community needs. For example, Fergus Area College Foundation says it provides resources to enrich learning, living, working, and serving; Pinky Swear Foundation says it provides financial support to families with children battling cancer; and Bolder Options describes its mission as preparing youth to succeed in life’s races. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 108 grants totaling $1,326,000 in 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $500,000, with a median of $5,000. In 2023, it reported 112 grants totaling $1,399,119; in 2022, 96 grants totaling $1,623,111.
The largest listed 2024 grant was $500,000 to Alexandria Technical College Foundation for capital needs. Other large awards included $100,000 to an individual recipient Education Foundation for general operating support, $50,000 to Fergus Area College Foundation for general operating support, $40,000 to Allina Hospice Foundation for general operating support, and $30,000 each to Pinky Swear Foundation and an individual recipient Schools for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brian Myres as chair, Jay Portz as president, David Kjos as treasurer, and Dayton Soby as secretary. Trustees listed are Dana Wedum Kennelly, Dawn Downs, Michele Kelm Helgen, Jon Davis, Thomas Woessner, and Bob Kovell.
Ja Wedum Foundation is led by Jay Portz, President on every filing since 2020; all 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jay Portz
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$373K (2020) → $430K (2024)
Brian Myres
Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Dana Wedum Kennelly
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Dawn Downs
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Jon Davis
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Michele Kelm Helgen
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $2K (2024)
Bob Kovell
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$2K (2023) → $2K (2024)
Thomas Woessner
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$2K (2023) → $2K (2024)
David Kjos
Treasurer
Director → Trustee, 2021
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Dayton Soby
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joseph A. Rusche (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Michelle Kelm-Helgen (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 $430K, to Jay Portz (President). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ja Wedum Foundation
How much does Ja Wedum Foundation give each year?
Ja Wedum Foundation gave $1.3M across 108 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 112 grants.
What is Ja Wedum Foundation's typical grant size?
Ja Wedum Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $12,278, across 108 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ja Wedum Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Ja Wedum Foundation give grants?
Ja Wedum Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (20 grants), St. Paul, MN (13 grants), Alexandria, MN (10 grants) and St Cloud, MN (8 grants).
Does Ja Wedum Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 99% of Ja Wedum Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (107 of 108) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ja Wedum Foundation's largest grantees?
Ja Wedum Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Alexandria Technical College Foundation ($510,000 across 3 grants), West Central Area Education Foundation ($100,000) and Allina Hospice Foundation ($55,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ja Wedum Foundation?
Ja Wedum Foundation reported $169.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ja Wedum Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to develop and utilize the resources of the foundation to positively change and improve people’s lives in the spirit of stewardship and generosity exemplified by John A. Wedum, the grandfather, and carried forward by John A. Wedum, the grandson.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ja Wedum Foundation?
The foundation 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 Ja Wedum Foundation's EIN?
Ja Wedum Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6025661. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ja Wedum Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ja-wedum-foundation-morg_ac0d98d45d074500926ecf57244bc47a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_416025661_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ja Wedum Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ja-wedum-foundation-morg_ac0d98d45d074500926ecf57244bc47a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Ja Wedum 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.
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