Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund
The Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund is a private foundation based in Duluth, Minnesota. It supports scholarships for students pursuing mathematics and science studies, with its 2025 filing reporting grants to individual recipients in Minnesota.
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund at a glance
In short: Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund gave $1.5M across 566 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,512,000
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 566
- +16.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,671
- +6.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $18,429,030
- +10.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (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.
How to apply to Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund
- How to Apply
-
The website’s stated application instructions include submitting the required application materials and financial information. The 2025–2026 high-school-senior application deadline was January 15, 2026, which has passed.
- Contact
Application contact: Patty Salo Downs
Mailing address: 306 W Superior St Suite 402, Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 722-9366
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Sage Cornell (FKA Paul Cornell) ($6K across 2 grants). Together the top 2 received $12K.
Organizations only. It also paid 562 individual scholarships ($1,500,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,753 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,753 grants of 1,753 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website’s high-school-senior eligibility guidelines specify schools or approved homeschool curricula in Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Lake, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis counties in Minnesota. The 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 566 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund gives
- Giving grew 31% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 236% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $1.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 566 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 49 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $147,000 |
| Sage Cornell (FKA Paul Cornell) Duluth, MN | Educational Scholarship | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund?
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 | $18,429,030 | $3,276,321 | $1,964,136 | $1,512,000 | 566 | $1,760,296 | $1,090,457 | $744,410 |
| 2024 | $16,689,998 | $2,793,992 | $1,590,500 | $1,210,000 | 484 | $1,402,976 | $919,887 | $640,352 |
| 2023 | $14,139,224 | $3,078,472 | $1,429,385 | $1,097,500 | 224 | $1,271,180 | $1,010,676 | $537,774 |
| 2022 | $11,959,913 | $2,221,400 | $1,493,541 | $1,150,000 | 240 | $1,320,892 | $567,081 | $601,134 |
| 2021 | $14,397,021 | $2,492,976 | $1,460,750 | $1,152,500 | 239 | — | $475,384 | $535,633 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund reported a distributable amount of $744K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund’s stated direct charitable activity is providing scholarships to students with outstanding scholastic ability and potential for achievement in the sciences. Its website describes scholarships for students pursuing approved mathematics, science, engineering, and medical fields, with eligible fields and requirements varying by scholarship pathway.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the fund reported 566 grants totaling $1,512,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $3,000, with a median of $2,500. The listed largest grants were $3,000 scholarships to individual recipients.
The website describes a high-school-senior scholarship pathway and a college-transfer pathway. The high-school-senior guidelines for 2025–2026 specified eligibility requirements including graduation from a high school or approved homeschool curriculum in one of ten Minnesota counties, plans to pursue a four-year degree in an approved math or science field, a minimum 3.5 high-school GPA, qualifying ACT scores, and family AGI below $175,000. The guidelines also required a recommendation from a math or science teacher and evidence of financial need. The site describes the transfer pathway for community-college sophomores completing an associate degree and planning to transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in an eligible field.
The 2024 filing states that the fund uses a standard application distributed through its website and widely to high-school counselors in northern Minnesota. It describes application materials including transcripts, available test scores, a school recommendation, and information explaining financial need. Awards are limited to students from northern Minnesota attending accredited colleges or universities of their choice and majoring in basic sciences of medicine, with evidence of financial need.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Patty Salo Downs as executive director, Marieta Johnson as president, Maggie Skelton as vice president, Eric Albrecht as treasurer, Nick Alworth as co-trustee, and Patty Phillips, Kurt Brooks, Charles Black Lance, Michelle Arnhold Davies, and Dr. Heidi Hahn as directors.
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund is led by Marieta Johnson, President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 9 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marieta Johnson
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$600 (2022) → $600 (2025)
Kurt Brooks
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $600 (2025)
Patty Phillips
Director
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $600 (2025)
Charles Black Lance
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$600 (2024) → $600 (2025)
Michelle Arnhold Davies
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$400 (2024) → $600 (2025)
Heidi Hahn
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$400 (2025)
Nick Alworth
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patty Salo Downs
Exec.direc & S
Executive Di → Exec.direc & S, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$68K (2021) → $59K (2025)
Maggie Skelton
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$600 (2022) → $400 (2025)
Eric Albrecht
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$600 (2024) → $400 (2025)
Former officers (8)
- Former: Lonnie Swartz (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Pam Thomsen (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Wig (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Spreitzer (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Eric Norberg (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Pat Altrichter (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Tom Renier (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Amy Trast (2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $59K, to Patty Salo Downs (Exec.direc/S). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund
How much does Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund give each year?
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund gave $1.5M across 566 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 484 grants.
What is Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund's typical grant size?
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $2,671, across 566 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund give grants?
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Duluth, MN (4 grants).
Does Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 566 grants with a stated purpose on Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational Scholarship" (566 grants).
How large is Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund?
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund reported $18.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $744K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund fund?
The fund’s stated direct charitable activity is providing scholarships to students with outstanding scholastic ability and potential for achievement in the sciences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund?
The website’s stated application instructions include submitting the required application materials and financial information. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund's EIN?
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0797340. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in Minnesota
Minnesota Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Minnesota
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
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation funds education, health care, and human services, including college scholarships, with most support benefiting working- and middle-class families in specified Minnesota and Florida counties; it also makes some national grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $50 to $10 million. It plans to move to invitation-only grantmaking in 2027; whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$218.3M
Grants
1,431
Total Given
$47.9M
Wells Fargo Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
Wells Fargo Foundation funds financial opportunity, affordable housing, small business growth, and some other local community needs across national and eligible local communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $8 million, with a median of $35,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a grant interest form to be considered for an invitation.
Assets
$8.6M
Grants
1,376
Total Given
$157.4M
C K Blandin Foundation
Grand Rapids, MN
The C K Blandin Foundation funds rural Minnesota projects that build community wealth, improve rural places, strengthen small communities, and support capacity-building, with a primary focus on the Grand Rapids area. Rural grants are typically $25,000–$150,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests, offering opportunities through invitations or competitive RFPs.
Assets
$506.3M
Grants
931
Total Given
$15.8M
The McKnight Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The McKnight Foundation funds arts and culture, resilient food systems, Midwest climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, with Minnesota a primary focus for several programs and work also extending beyond the state. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000; prospective applicants should first discuss fit with program staff, who provide proposal instructions if the work can be considered.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
790
Total Given
$145.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund'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.
Marshall H and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?