Robert Sonsteng Foundation
Robert Sonsteng Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in BENSON, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 16 grants totaling $216K. Net investment income was $370K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.4M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$216K
+66.7% YoY
Grant Count
16
+60.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+4.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Sonsteng Foundation reported a distributable amount of $333K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Robert Sonsteng Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Robert Sonsteng Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in BENSON, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 16 grants totaling $216K. Net investment income was $370K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,367,909 | $7,379,930 | $7,706,786 |
| Revenue | $552,293 | $135,613 | $185,101 |
| Expenses | $514,314 | $171,931 | $225,201 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $216,250 | $129,688 | $176,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $369,791 | $38,905 | $136,400 |
| Distributable Amount | $333,019 | $335,255 | $379,390 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Benson Public Schools ($50,000), Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church ($29,000), West Zion Church ($25,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SWIFT COUNTY FAIR ASSOC KERKHOVEN, MN | SUPPORT OF SWIFT CTY FAIR OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| BENSON AREA CARES 4 KIDS BENSON, MN | SCHOOL CHILDREN NUTRITION PROGRAM | $13,000 |
| OUR REDEEMER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH BENSON, MN | PROPERTY MAINTENANCE | $29,000 |
| CITY OF BENSON BENSON, MN | POLICE DEPT | $15,000 |
| BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BENSON, MN | PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT | $50,000 |
| SWIFT COUNTY MN BENSON, MN | SHERIFF'S DEPT | $1,000 |
| SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS CHURCH BENSON, MN | OPERATING | $8,600 |
| CITY OF BENSSON BENSON, MN | SUPPORT KID DAY PROGRAMS | $7,000 |
| BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BENSON, MN | PROM AFTERBASH | $12,000 |
| CURA OF BENSON BENSON, MN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $600 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD A WILCOX | DIRECTOR, CE | — | — |
| BENJAMIN R WILCOX | DIRECTOR/SEC | — | — |
| STEVEN NELSON | VP | — | — |
| SCOTT NELSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DARRIN NELSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ANTHONY HILLEREN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Robert Sonsteng Foundation?
Robert Sonsteng Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in BENSON, MN. It holds $7.4M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Robert Sonsteng Foundation?
As of 2024, Robert Sonsteng Foundation holds $7.4M in total assets with $552K in annual revenue. It awarded 16 grants totaling $216K in 2024.
Where does Robert Sonsteng Foundation operate?
Robert Sonsteng Foundation has awarded grants in Minnesota.
What size grants does Robert Sonsteng Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert Sonsteng Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $216K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert Sonsteng Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert Sonsteng Foundation reported a distributable amount of $333K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert Sonsteng Foundation's EIN?
Robert Sonsteng Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1933218. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert Sonsteng Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.