Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation
The Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation is a private foundation based in Granite Falls, Minnesota. It supports charitable organizations through grants, including organizations providing scholarships, community services, and local improvements.
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation at a glance
In short: Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation gave $115K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Minnesota. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $115,000
- +9.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,188
- +16.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $2,167,699
- -0.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (96% 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 Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 125 8Th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241
Phone: (320) 564-4070
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Granite Falls ($30K). Together the top 10 received $80K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
88 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 88 grants of 88 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 4% to recipients in South Dakota. Listed recipients included organizations in Granite Falls and other Minnesota communities, as well as Avera Foundation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 15 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% 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 $103K (2023) to $117K (2022). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $115K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Granite Falls Granite Falls, MN | Public Park Improvements | $29,500 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| Neighbors United Resource Center Granite Falls, MN | Feed the Needy | $15,000 |
| Avera Foundation Sioux Falls, SD | Granite Falls Ambulance Fund | $5,000 |
| Granite Falls Congregational Granite Falls, MN | Operational Expenses | $5,000 |
| Granite Falls Living at Granite Falls, MN | Health Services to Elderly Residents | $5,000 |
| Granite Falls Lutheran Church Granite Falls, MN | Operational Expenses | $5,000 |
| Yellow Medicine East Granite Falls, MN | Educational Needs | $5,000 |
| Minnesota West Foundation Canby, MN | Scholarships | $4,000 |
| Granite Falls Historical Society Granite Falls, MN | Operational Expenses | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Jeannette and Curt Olson 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 | $2,167,699 | $104,356 | $118,947 | $115,000 | 16 | $115,000 | $123,418 | $114,493 |
| 2024 | $2,182,290 | $168,167 | $108,235 | $105,000 | 17 | $105,000 | $100,000 | $105,403 |
| 2023 | $2,122,358 | $109,972 | $108,481 | $103,000 | 19 | $103,000 | $82,256 | $98,953 |
| 2022 | $2,120,867 | $135,813 | $122,445 | $117,000 | 17 | $117,000 | $91,544 | $105,262 |
| 2021 | $2,107,499 | $148,368 | $112,591 | $110,000 | 19 | $110,000 | $125,782 | $107,692 |
| 2020 | $2,071,722 | $54,412 | $114,290 | $110,000 | 18 | — | $75,062 | $104,489 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $114K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for public park improvements, scholarships and other educational needs, food assistance, health services for elderly residents, and organizations’ operating expenses. Among the organizations it supported, Minnesota West Foundation says its mission is to offer scholarships and promote development opportunities at Minnesota West Community College. Pheasants Forever says its mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $115,000 through 16 grants. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $29,500, with a median grant of $4,500.
Notable 2025 grants included $29,500 to the City of Granite Falls for public park improvements; $25,000 to an individual recipient for scholarships to high school seniors; and $15,000 to Neighbors United Resource Center to feed the needy. Other grants included $5,000 to Avera Foundation for the Granite Falls ambulance fund and $4,000 to Minnesota West Foundation for scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Spencer H Kvam as president, John Virnig as vice-president, Barry Evenstad as treasurer, and Brad Peterson as secretary.
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation is led by Spencer H. Kvam, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Spencer H. Kvam
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$250 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Barry Evenstad
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$250 (2021) → $0 (2025)
John Virnig
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$250 (2021) → $0 (2025)
Brad Peterson
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: David Smiglewski (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Robin Henderson (2020) — Director
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 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $250, to Spencer H Kvam (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation
How much does Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation give each year?
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation gave $115K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $105K across 17 grants.
What is Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's typical grant size?
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,500, and its average grant was $7,188, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation give grants?
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Granite Falls, MN (12 grants).
Does Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 44% of Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's largest grantees?
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City of Granite Falls ($29,500), Neighbors United Resource Center ($15,000) and Avera Foundation ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation?
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $115K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $114K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for public park improvements, scholarships and other educational needs, food assistance, health services for elderly residents, and organizations’ operating expenses. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's EIN?
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0572772. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Southwest Initiative Foundation
Hutchinson, MN
The Southwest Initiative Foundation funds community-led projects, nonprofits, local development, and programs supporting youth and families, older adults, welcoming communities, and regional needs in southwest Minnesota and the Upper and Lower Sioux communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,045 to $342,996, with a median of $15,000. It accepts grant ideas on an ongoing basis, though many grants are made through community foundation and designated-fund partners with their own application guidelines.
Assets
$123.4M
Grants
166
Total Given
$4.9M
Hunger Solutions Minnesota
St. Paul, MN
Hunger Solutions Minnesota supported Minnesota food shelves, food banks, and other organizations addressing hunger, including through food access programs and advocacy. Its 2024 grants totaled $254,001 across 26 awards, with examples of individual grants ranging from $10,000 to about $15,000. The organization’s 2024 filing was marked as its final return, and no unsolicited-application policy is stated.
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
$6.0M
The Ron and Diane Fagen Family
Granite Falls, MN
The foundation’s 2024 grants supported charitable organizations working in children’s health, veterans and military services, animal welfare, and local public services, with recipients in Minnesota and other states. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
13
Total Given
$107K
The Minneapolis Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Foundation funds civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education, health, the environment, arts, and human services, with most grant dollars going to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. It says no funding opportunities are currently open; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
The Mrs Bunny Foundation
Fort Myers, FL
Assets
$299K
Grants
8
Total Given
$41K
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jeannette-and-curt-olson-foundation-morg_ed81bb544bf74d869255d406d9f2451e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270572772_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jeannette-and-curt-olson-foundation-morg_ed81bb544bf74d869255d406d9f2451e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Jeannette and Curt Olson 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.
Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?