Land O'Lakes Foundation
LAND O'LAKES FOUNDATION is a private foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota. It supports organizations and community projects connected to Land O’Lakes member-owner communities, with stated areas of support including hunger relief, advancing education, and community vitality.
Key facts about Land O'Lakes Foundation
In short: Land O'Lakes Foundation gave $3.4M across 1,035 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), top state Iowa. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 41-1864977
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,357,800
- Grants made (2025)
- 1,035
- Average grant
- $3,244
- Median grant
- $1,250
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (389 of 998, 2025)
- Total assets
- $2,321,717
- Primary geography
- Iowa (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation has multiple grant programs. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.3M
+11.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.4M
-42.1% YoY
Grant Count
1,035
+19.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-51.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Land O'Lakes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $140K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Land O'Lakes Foundation open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 389 of 998 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 48% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated focus is on hunger relief, advancing education, and community vitality. Its Region Grants Program supports dairy communities in the East and West regions of its member footprint, with grant rounds for Hunger Relief and Community Vitality. The filing also describes Mid-Atlantic and California programs funding community projects initiated by Land O’Lakes dairy farmer-members.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees: the Ohio FFA Foundation says its mission is to support Ohio FFA member programs and services through partnerships; the Kansas 4-H Foundation says it supports a statewide effort to grow future leaders; and Upper Des Moines Opportunity says it works to strengthen communities by addressing the effects of poverty on individuals and families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 868 grants totaling $5,798,407. Grant amounts ranged from $83 to $2,250,000, with a median grant of $1,000. It made 1,659 grants totaling $5,699,208 in 2023 and 1,884 grants totaling $6,508,980 in 2022.
Review Cycle
.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Land O'Lakes Foundation
Ready to take the next step with Land O'Lakes Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to Minnesota (44%), South Carolina (13%), Iowa (7%), California (5%), and Nebraska (4%). Its filing describes Mid-Atlantic community projects in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and New Jersey, and California projects in the Orland, Tulare, Kings, Bakersfield, and Ontario areas. The Region Grants Program serves dairy communities in the East and West regions of the member footprint.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1,035 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
7,498 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND Charleston, SC | EMPLOYEE GIVING AND VOLUNTEERISM | $365,102 |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS Washington, DC | COMMUNITY GRANTS | $100,000 |
| FEEDING AMERICA - NATIONAL CHAPTER Chicago, IL | LOL GIVING WEEK | $100,000 |
| GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY Minneapolis, MN | UNITED WAY/LOL GIVING WEEK | $100,000 |
| UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY INC Graettinger, IA | MEMBER CO-OP MATCHES | $65,500 |
| OHIO FFA FOUNDATION INC Columbus, OH | MEMBER CO-OP MATCHES | $50,000 |
| KANSAS RURAL COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION Wamego, KS | MEMBER CO-OP MATCHES | $35,250 |
| NEBRASKA FFA FOUNDATION Lincoln, NE | MEMBER CO-OP MATCHES | $34,750 |
| KANSAS 4-H FOUNDATION INC Manhattan, KS | MEMBER CO-OP MATCHES | $30,000 |
| LINDSAY AREA DEVELOPMENT Lindsay, NE | MEMBER CO-OP MATCHES | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants awarded | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,798,407 | 868 |
| 2023 | $5,699,208 | 1,659 |
| 2022 | $6,508,980 | 1,884 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,321,717 | $2,085,862 | $2,211,820 |
| Revenue | $4,084,579 | $6,218,103 | $6,343,922 |
| Expenses | $3,847,125 | $6,344,061 | $6,145,378 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,819,312 | $6,316,428 | $6,120,223 |
| Net Investment Income | $79,824 | $64,300 | $19,418 |
| Distributable Amount | $140,111 | $133,037 | $123,812 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Morgan Kinross-Wright as executive director. Sadie Frericks is listed as board chair, and Steve Harnish as vice chair. Cassie Syrstad is listed as treasurer. Other listed board members are Neal Keppy, Yolanda Robinson, Kevin Schluender, and Stan Stark. John Habedank and Ross Plumberg are listed as board members who terminated in February 2024.
Land O'Lakes Foundation is led by Morgan Kinross-Wright, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Morgan Kinross-Wright
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$73K (2020) → $101K (2025)
Sadie Frericks
Board Member & Chair
Board Member & Vice Chair → Board Member & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheilah Stewart
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Zonneveld
Board Member
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cassie Syrstad
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Schluender
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neal Keppy
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Harnish
Board Member
Board Member & Vice Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stan Stark
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Johnson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Mason
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenda Gehl
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Peck
Board Member & Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: John Habedank (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Ross Plumberg (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Yolanda Robinson (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jared Fernandes (2022–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Heather Anfang (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Coppin (2020–2022) — Board Member & Vice Chair
- Former: Tom Benoit (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Pete Theisen (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Levi Ransom (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Mellisa Williams (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ryan Lunde (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Jeff Troike (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Joey Fernandes (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Berning (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Su Rankin (2020) — Board Member
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
Contact
Application contact: Na - See Disclosure
Mailing address: PO Box 64150, St Paul, MN 55164
Phone: (651) 375-2222
Email: landolakesfoundation@landolakes.com
Frequently asked questions about Land O'Lakes Foundation
How much does Land O'Lakes Foundation give each year?
Land O'Lakes Foundation gave $3.4M across 1,035 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $5.8M across 868 grants.
What is Land O'Lakes Foundation's typical grant size?
Land O'Lakes Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,250, and its average grant was $3,244, across 1,035 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Land O'Lakes Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Land O'Lakes Foundation give grants?
Land O'Lakes Foundation's top state is Iowa, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were South Carolina (11%) and Minnesota (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Visalia, CA (13 grants), Tulare, CA (10 grants), Indianapolis, IN (7 grants) and Lincoln, NE (6 grants).
Does Land O'Lakes Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 1,035 grants with a stated purpose on Land O'Lakes Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Member Co-Op Matches" (804 grants), "United Way/Lol Giving Week" (45 grants) and "Food Drives" (36 grants).
Who are Land O'Lakes Foundation's largest grantees?
Land O'Lakes Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Blackbaud Giving Fund ($365,102), American National Red Cross ($104,090 across 2 grants) and Feeding America - National Chapter ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Land O'Lakes Foundation?
Land O'Lakes Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $140K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Land O'Lakes Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated focus is on hunger relief, advancing education, and community vitality. Its Region Grants Program supports dairy communities in the East and West regions of its member footprint, with grant rounds for Hunger Relief and Community Vitality. The filing also describes Mid-Atlantic and California programs funding community projects initiated by Land O’Lakes dairy farmer-members. Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees: the Ohio FFA Foundation says…
How do I apply for a grant from Land O'Lakes Foundation?
The foundation has multiple grant programs. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Land O'Lakes Foundation's EIN?
Land O'Lakes Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1864977. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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