Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson is a private foundation based in Gallatin Gateway, Montana. Its 2021 filing is marked as the organization’s final return and says the board decided to terminate the foundation and transfer its remaining assets to a donor-advised fund at Fidelity Charitable; the foundation therefore appears to have wound down.
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson at a glance
In short: Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson gave $4.7M across 10 grants in 2021 (avg $473K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $4,725,167
- +3156.0% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 10
- -79.6% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $472,517
- +15854.3% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $3,051
- Primary geography
- Ohio (99% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. As the 2021 filing is marked final and describes plans to terminate the foundation, this should not be treated as current application guidance.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1301 Towering Pines Road, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
Phone: (406) 995-3133
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Fidelity Charitable - the Arneson Family Fund ($4.7M). Together the top 10 received $4.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 59 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2021 filing reports that 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, with reported shares of 0% each for Wisconsin and Montana. Named recipients in the filing include organizations in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson gives
- 60% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2020) to $4.7M (2021). In 2021 it made 10 grants totaling $4.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Charitable - the Arneson Family Fund Cincinnati, OH | For Public Charity Support | $4,693,766 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation - School of Business Madison, WI | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $10,000 |
| Friends of McGilvray Road Lacrosse, WI | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $7,500 |
| Gallatin River Task Force Big Sky, MT | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $5,000 |
| Big Sky Community Organization Big Sky, MT | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $3,500 |
| Arts Council of Big Sky Big Sky, MT | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $2,601 |
| Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care Madison, WI | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $1,000 |
| Big Sky Chapel Endowment Fund Big Sky, MT | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $1,000 |
| Friends of the Refuge-Miss River Pools 7 & 8 Onalaska, WI | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $600 |
| Big Sky Ski Education Foundation Big Sky, MT | Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission | $200 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $612,050 | $4,763,480 | $4,725,167 | 10 | $4,724,462 | $362,989 | $198,243 |
| 2020 | $2,945,201 | $710,720 | $180,039 | $145,123 | 49 | — | $181,268 | $142,975 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson reported a distributable amount of $198K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2021 grants included support for a range of organizations. The Gallatin River Task Force describes its mission as protecting, restoring, and inspiring stewardship of the Gallatin River. Big Sky Community Organization says it facilitates year-round recreational programs, outdoor spaces, and community partnerships to enhance quality of life in Big Sky. Arts Council of Big Sky says it enriches the community through artistic experiences, and Big Sky Ski Education Foundation says it offers competitive Alpine, Freeride, and Nordic skiing programs.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $4,725,167. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $4,693,766, with a median of $3,050. The largest grant, $4,693,766, went to Fidelity Charitable – The Arneson Family Fund for public charity support.
Other reported 2021 grants included $10,000 to University of Wisconsin Foundation – School of Business; $7,500 to Friends of McGilvray Road; $5,000 to Gallatin River Task Force; $3,500 to Big Sky Community Organization; and $2,601 to Arts Council of Big Sky. The filing also lists grants to Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care ($1,000), Big Sky Chapel Endowment Fund ($1,000), Friends of the Refuge-Miss River Pools 7 & 8 ($600), and Big Sky Ski Education Foundation ($200).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Michael D Arneson as president, Susan H Arneson as vice president, Kelsey M Arneson as treasurer, and Kari C Blotske as secretary.
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson is led by Michael D. Arneson, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Michael D. Arneson
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kari C. Blotske
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kelsey M. Arneson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan H. Arneson
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 D Arneson and Susan H Arneson
How much does Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson give each year?
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson gave $4.7M across 10 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $145K across 49 grants.
What is Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's typical grant size?
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's median grant in 2021 was $3,051, and its average grant was $472,517, across 10 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson give grants?
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson gives mostly in Ohio: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Big Sky, MT (5 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants).
Does Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Gift in Support of the Organization's Mission" (9 grants).
Who are Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's largest grantees?
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's largest 2021 grantees include Fidelity Charitable - the Arneson Family Fund ($4,693,766), University of Wisconsin Foundation - School of Business ($10,000) and Friends of McGilvray Road ($7,500), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson fund?
The filing does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2021 grants included support for a range of organizations. The Gallatin River Task Force describes its mission as protecting, restoring, and inspiring stewardship of the Gallatin River. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson?
The foundation stated that it made 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 ↑
How much is Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson reported a distributable amount of $198K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's EIN?
Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3967352. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Figures come from Michael D Arneson and Susan H Arneson'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.
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