Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc
The Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Its 2025 filing reports 26 grants totaling $250,000 to organizations in several states, including organizations working in health, youth services, education, animal welfare, and other areas.
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc gave $250K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Colorado. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $250,000
- +8.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,615
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $5,420,818
- +16.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (10 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (43% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists Thomas R Ringdahl as the contact, specifies no application form or materials, and lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas R Ringdahl
Mailing address: PO Box 1626, La Crosse, WI 54601-1626
Phone: (608) 782-1148
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Make-a-Wish Arizona Inc ($30K). Together the top 10 received $163K.
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 118 grants of 121 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado (43%), Arizona (24%), New York (11%), Wisconsin (10%), and Oregon (8%). These figures describe the locations of grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 26 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 62% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 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
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $190K (2020) to $250K (2025). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $250K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Make-a-Wish Arizona Inc Scottsdale, AZ | Program Support | $30,000 |
| Breakthrough T1D New York, NY | Program Support | $27,500 |
| 1N10 Inc Phoenix, AZ | Program Support | $20,000 |
| National Psoriasis Foundation Portland, OR | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Longmont Police K9 Association Longmont, CO | Food and care of dog members of k-9 unit | $15,000 |
| Aspen Ridge Preparatory School Erie, CO | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Child Crisis Arizona Mesa, AZ | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Keys Children's Foundation Inc Key Largo, FL | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Longmont Humane Society Inc Longmont, CO | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Make-a-Wish Colorado Chapter Greenwood Village, CO | Program Support | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,420,818 | $1,135,636 | $288,603 | $250,000 | 26 | $259,392 | $404,932 | $282,159 |
| 2024 | $4,674,483 | $348,179 | $260,821 | $230,000 | 24 | $237,375 | $189,585 | $250,439 |
| 2023 | $4,587,892 | $297,766 | $259,149 | $230,000 | 22 | $237,225 | $146,525 | $235,149 |
| 2022 | $4,549,275 | $245,454 | $288,317 | $250,000 | 24 | $258,421 | $109,533 | $241,850 |
| 2021 | $4,598,966 | $547,368 | $234,072 | $200,000 | 25 | $209,459 | $375,419 | $260,872 |
| 2020 | $4,289,630 | $718,450 | $216,986 | $190,000 | 26 | — | $132,167 | $204,841 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $282K for 2025 — 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 foundation’s 2025 grants went to organizations with a range of missions. For example, Breakthrough T1D says it works to accelerate breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. 1n10 says it provides support and resources for local LGBTQ youth, including life and leadership skills. Child Crisis Arizona says it works to provide children and youth a safe environment free from abuse and neglect by strengthening families.
Other grantees describe work in education, animal welfare, youth-focused charitable giving, hunger relief, and disability services. Aspen Ridge Preparatory School describes itself as a PK–8 charter school; Longmont Humane Society says it works to improve the lives of companion animals; Keys Children’s Foundation raises funds for charities benefiting youth; Community Food Share works to eliminate hunger in Boulder and Broomfield counties; and Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center promotes the well-being of people with disabilities through equine-assisted activities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $250,000. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median of $7,500. The largest grants included $30,000 to Make-A-Wish Arizona, $27,500 to Breakthrough T1D, $20,000 each to 1n10 and the National Psoriasis Foundation, and $15,000 to Longmont Police K9 Association for food and care of K-9 unit dogs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas R Ringdahl as president and treasurer, Jeffrey K Fassbinder as vice president, Robert P Smyth as secretary, and Todd Jordan and Renee Jordan as directors.
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc is led by Thomas R. Ringdahl, President & Treasurer since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas R. Ringdahl
President & Treasurer
President → President & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$600 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Renee Jordan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Jordan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey K. Fassbinder
Vice President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$600 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Robert P. Smyth
Secretary
Vice President → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Katie Jo Scarbrough (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Bret Ringdahl (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Deborah L. Ringdahl (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Cheryl L. Fassbinder (2020) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $600, to Thomas R Ringdahl (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc
How much does Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc give each year?
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc gave $250K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $230K across 24 grants.
What is Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $9,615, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc give grants?
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's top state is Colorado, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arizona (24%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Longmont, CO (6 grants), La Crosse, WI (3 grants), Boulder, CO (3 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (24 grants).
Who are Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Make-a-Wish Arizona Inc ($30,000), Breakthrough T1D ($27,500) and 1N10 Inc ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc?
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc reported $5.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $259K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $282K (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 does Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s 2025 grants went to organizations with a range of missions. For example, Breakthrough T1D says it works to accelerate breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc?
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's EIN?
Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1737656. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-e-ringdahl-foundation-inc-morg_cecab3c4c32443efb4bea7c89860e8f2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391737656_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-e-ringdahl-foundation-inc-morg_cecab3c4c32443efb4bea7c89860e8f2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Robert E Ringdahl Foundation Inc'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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