Ordean Foundation
The Ordean Foundation is a private foundation based in Duluth, Minnesota. It makes grants to nonprofit organizations to support efforts addressing poverty and building a healthier community, with a stated focus on basic needs and on strategies to break generational cycles of poverty.
Ordean Foundation at a glance
In short: Ordean Foundation gave $1.5M across 50 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), mostly in Minnesota. 34% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,547,000
- +2.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 50
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,940
- +2.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $42,603,379
- +5.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (17 of 50, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ordean Foundation
- How to Apply
For the Catalyst program, the website directs interested organizations to complete an application request form at least 30 days before the inquiry deadline; eligible organizations may then be prompted to submit a…
For the Catalyst program, the website directs interested organizations to complete an application request form at least 30 days before the inquiry deadline; eligible organizations may then be prompted to submit a proposal statement. The 2024 filing also describes written requests to the executive director.
- Contact
Application contact: Executive Director Ordean Foundatio
Mailing address: 740 East Superior Street 202, Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-4785
Website: https://ordean.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ordean Foundation
Who Ordean Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Damiano Center ($145K). Together the top 10 received $898K.
Grant Size Distribution
216 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 157 grants of 216 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it awards grants to qualified organizations located in, serving, or directly impacting residents of Duluth and adjacent communities in St. Louis County. It prefers organizations physically based in Duluth with a long-term commitment to the community. It says proposals from organizations outside Duluth will not be funded when they would duplicate services already provided by Duluth-based nonprofits.
The 2024 filing describes eligible recipients as institutions or organizations operating within Duluth or governmental units abutting the city limits in St. Louis County. All 2024 grant dollars were reported for recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Ordean Foundation open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 50 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2022) to $1.6M (2020). In 2024 it made 50 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Damiano Center Duluth, MN | General Operating Support | $145,000 |
| Lake Superior Community Health Center Duluth, MN | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women Duluth, MN | General operating support, capital grant - retirement of construction loan | $100,000 |
| Young Womens Christian Association Duluth, MN | General Operating Support, YWCA Financial Advisor Support | $100,000 |
| Chum Duluth, MN | General operating support, another door youth shelter / peace church, sponsorship grant | $97,000 |
| Mentor North Duluth, MN | General Operating Support | $90,000 |
| Life House Inc Duluth, MN | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
| Valley Youth Center Duluth, MN | General Operating Support, Outgoing Director's Gift | $60,000 |
| Divine Konnections Inc Duluth, MN | Special Initiatives Grant, Operational Support, Carl Crawford Award | $55,000 |
| Family Freedom Center Duluth, MN | General operating support of the center, sponsorship for kids merch up event | $50,500 |
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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 | $42,603,379 | $2,293,654 | $2,242,145 | $1,547,000 | 50 | $2,052,768 | $2,173,204 | $1,974,507 |
| 2023 | $40,542,651 | $9,387,371 | $2,179,181 | $1,505,000 | 50 | $1,959,597 | $9,249,881 | $1,722,867 |
| 2022 | $37,819,967 | $1,656,626 | $2,001,726 | $1,365,500 | 41 | $1,923,235 | $1,520,247 | $1,892,063 |
| 2021 | $45,509,190 | $5,242,974 | $2,087,776 | $1,446,050 | 42 | $1,858,867 | $5,123,550 | $2,032,057 |
| 2020 | $41,073,025 | $1,829,532 | $1,520,156 | $1,568,750 | 33 | — | $1,721,993 | $1,722,935 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ordean Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — 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 foundation’s mission is to inspire, encourage, and support effective community efforts to confront poverty and nurture a healthier community for all residents. Its website describes support for basic needs—including food, shelter, clothing, health care, and personal safety—and for social justice, youth development, education, and job training.
Its 2024 filing describes eligible grant purposes that include mental-health care and rehabilitation; care for people whose physical capacity is impaired by injury, illness, birth defects, age, alcoholism, or similar causes; youth guidance programs; and services or facilities serving similar functions.
The 2024 grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. An individual recipient Community Health Center describes its mission as improving access to quality health care for all. Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women says it provides safety, space to heal, advocacy, and empowerment for survivors of domestic violence. Mentor North describes its work as supporting youth and families through one-on-one mentorship and community engagement, while Life House says it works to reconnect homeless and street youth to their dreams.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 50 grants totaling $1,547,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $145,000, with a median of $20,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $145,000 to Damiano Center, $125,000 to an individual recipient Community Health Center, $100,000 to Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women, and $100,000 to Young Womens Christian Association. Other notable grants included $97,000 to CHUM, $90,000 to Mentor North, $75,000 to Life House, and $60,000 to Valley Youth Center. The filing lists general operating support among the purposes for several of these grants.
The foundation’s website describes its Catalyst Grant Program as offering one-time grants of up to $20,000 for pilot projects, events, initiatives, capacity-building, program development, or capital needs. It says the program is by invitation only, with a limited number of organizations or projects invited to apply. The website lists two cycles: a Spring cycle with a December 15 inquiry date and January 15 application deadline, and a Fall cycle with a June 15 inquiry date and July 15 application deadline. As of October 2, 2026, the listed Fall 2026 dates have passed; the next listed Spring inquiry date is December 15, 2026.
The 2024 filing states that grant requests should be directed to the executive director, must be in writing, and must include information or data relevant to the grant or loan request. It lists a deadline of the 15th day of the month preceding a board meeting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Donald Ness as executive director. Officers and directors listed include Traci Morris, chair; Marsha Hystead, vice chair; Maria Isley, secretary; and Ariuna Taivan, treasurer. Marcus Jones is listed as vice chair, with a note that he termed in March 2024. Other directors listed are Christine Davis, Anne Holy, Richard Howell, and Stacy Johnston.
Ordean Foundation is led by Donald Ness, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Donald Ness
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$180K (2023) → $195K (2024)
Traci Morris
Chair
Treasurer & Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Strange
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Johnston
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Yung
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Howell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Davis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Holy
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ivy Vainio
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcus Jones
Vice Chair
Secretary & Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Isley
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marsha Hystead
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ariuna Taivan
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Jon Nelson (2020–2023) — Previous Board Chair
- Former: Chuck Walt (2020–2022) — Previous Board Chair
- Former: Don Ness (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Jim Vizanko (2020) — President & Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $195K, to Donald Ness (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Ordean Foundation
How much does Ordean Foundation give each year?
Ordean Foundation gave $1.5M across 50 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 50 grants.
What is Ordean Foundation's typical grant size?
Ordean Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $30,940, across 50 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ordean Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does Ordean Foundation give grants?
Ordean Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Duluth, MN (40 grants), St. Paul, MN (5 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (3 grants).
Does Ordean Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 68% of Ordean Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ordean Foundation's largest grantees?
Ordean Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Damiano Center ($145,000), Lake Superior Community Health Center ($125,000) and Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ordean Foundation?
Ordean Foundation reported $42.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ordean Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to inspire, encourage, and support effective community efforts to confront poverty and nurture a healthier community for all residents. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ordean Foundation?
For the Catalyst program, the website directs interested organizations to complete an application request form at least 30 days before the inquiry deadline; eligible organizations may then be prompted to submit a… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ordean Foundation's EIN?
Ordean Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0711611. 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. 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 2020 (received by the IRS June 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 1, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ordean Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ordean Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ordean-foundation-morg_746de5d10be240ddae67ea2de3ddd6d7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_410711611_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ordean Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ordean-foundation-morg_746de5d10be240ddae67ea2de3ddd6d7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Ordean Foundation'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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