Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation is a private foundation, based in Cincinnati, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $73K. Net investment income was $257K.
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation at a glance
In short: Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation gave $73K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $73,000
- -13.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,250
- +8.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,500
- Total assets
- $1,217,021
- +1.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Ohio (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Xavier University ($51K). Together the top 4 received $73K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 21 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation gives
- Giving grew 170% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $22K (2020) to $84K (2023). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $73K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Xavier University Cincinnati, OH | Education | $51,000 |
| The Friar's Club Inc Cincinnati, OH | Provide support for children in the greater cincinnati area | $11,000 |
| Xavier Jesuit Academy Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Education | $10,000 |
| Fordham University New York, NY | Education | $1,000 |
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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 | $1,217,021 | $-57,668 | $92,261 | $73,000 | 4 | $77,812 | $256,509 | $84,774 |
| 2023 | $1,198,440 | $84,355 | $94,887 | $84,000 | 5 | $85,400 | $107,780 | $77,680 |
| 2022 | $1,208,972 | $33,615 | $35,203 | $22,000 | 3 | $22,957 | $24,112 | $79,207 |
| 2021 | $1,210,560 | $74,206 | $39,358 | $27,000 | 4 | $29,030 | $100,943 | $81,511 |
| 2020 | $1,175,712 | $9,413 | $40,842 | $22,000 | 5 | — | $32,544 | $69,999 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation reported a distributable amount of $85K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation is led by Michael L. Besl, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael L. Besl
President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Besl
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Besl
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Besl
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation
How much does Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation give each year?
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation gave $73K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $84K across 5 grants.
What is Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation's typical grant size?
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,500, and its average grant was $18,250, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation give grants?
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (3 grants).
Does Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (3 grants).
How large is Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation?
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $78K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $85K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation's EIN?
Michael and Stephanie Besl Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-4997604. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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