Louis Foundation
Louis Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $300K. Net investment income was $336K.
Louis Foundation at a glance
In short: Louis Foundation gave $300K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $300,000
- -3.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,000
- -35.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $4,989,693
- +3.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Montana (72% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Louis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Headwaters Academy ($100K). Together the top 6 received $300K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 30 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Louis Foundation gives
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $237K (2020) to $310K (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $300K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Headwaters Academy Bozeman, MT | Education | $100,000 |
| Thrive Bozeman, MT | Giving Every Child Opportunity to Succeed and Grow | $100,000 |
| Bunston Day School Centerville, MD | To educate ethically and environmentally minded scholars, citizens, and leaders for our globalized society | $50,000 |
| Other World Media Freeland, WA | Independent Media Production Company | $20,000 |
| Bozeman High School Bozeman Speech and Debate Team Bozeman, MT | Education | $15,000 |
| Florida Keys Wild Bird Center Tavernier, FL | Support the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced | $15,000 |
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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 | $4,989,693 | $573,081 | $425,549 | $300,000 | 6 | $300,025 | $336,338 | $299,846 |
| 2023 | $4,842,161 | $285,347 | $1,516,365 | $310,000 | 4 | $310,025 | $79,161 | $281,234 |
| 2022 | $6,073,179 | $404,551 | $324,873 | $280,000 | 6 | $280,025 | $125,018 | $285,602 |
| 2021 | $5,993,501 | $733,928 | $281,594 | $245,000 | 7 | $245,025 | $450,983 | $283,291 |
| 2020 | $5,541,167 | $133,552 | $264,931 | $237,496 | 7 | — | $67,671 | $238,269 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Louis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $300K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Louis Foundation is led by Penelope B. Hatten, President on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Penelope B. Hatten
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Dean E. Hatten (2020) — V. President & Treasurer
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.
Frequently asked questions about Louis Foundation
How much does Louis Foundation give each year?
Louis Foundation gave $300K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $310K across 4 grants.
What is Louis Foundation's typical grant size?
Louis Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $50,000, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Louis Foundation give grants?
Louis Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (17%) and Washington (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bozeman, MT (3 grants).
Does Louis Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Louis Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Louis Foundation's largest grantees?
Louis Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Headwaters Academy ($100,000), Thrive ($100,000) and Bunston Day School ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Louis Foundation?
Louis Foundation reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $300K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $300K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Louis Foundation's EIN?
Louis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1859474. 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.
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 September 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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