Stenson Family Foundation
Stenson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Rochester, Minnesota. Its 2024 filing describes charitable activity as contributions to organizations and people to help themselves; its 2025 grants went primarily to Minnesota recipients.
Stenson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Stenson Family Foundation gave $108K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Minnesota. 59% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $108,181
- +4.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- -10.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,364
- +17.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $792,045
- -6.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (10 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (94% 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 Stenson Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing says to send a letter of request explaining the purpose. It lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed in the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- None listed in the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Mark Stenson
Mailing address: 2158 Granite Circle, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: (507) 530-1166
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Stenson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hope Harbor ($30K). Together the top 10 received $98K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 78 grants of 79 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients, 5% to Nebraska recipients, and 1% to Wisconsin recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Stenson Family Foundation open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 17 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 29% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 38% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 241% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $77K (2021) to $603K (2019). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $108K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hope Harbor Marshall, MN | Charitable Purposes | $30,000 |
| Recovery Is Happening Rochester, MN | Charitable Purpose | $22,500 |
| Family Promise Rochester, MN | Charitable Purpose | $12,500 |
| Crosswinds Oronoco, MN | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Megan Nunez Omaha, NE | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Tori Applehoff Minneapolis, MN | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Marshall Food 4 Kids Marshall, MN | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Kermit Ness Oronoco, MN | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Pride in the Tiger Marshall, MN | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Jason Swartz Rochester, MN | Charitable Purpose | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Stenson Family Foundation?
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 | $792,045 | $63,654 | $114,541 | $108,181 | 17 | $108,181 | $36,095 | $44,817 |
| 2024 | $842,932 | $172,141 | $109,979 | $103,116 | 19 | $103,116 | $85,278 | $43,358 |
| 2023 | $780,770 | $136,831 | $96,333 | $91,624 | 15 | $91,624 | $62,122 | $41,243 |
| 2022 | $740,272 | $182,937 | $82,905 | $78,238 | 15 | $78,238 | $32,603 | $39,138 |
| 2021 | $640,240 | $109,944 | $81,840 | $77,420 | 13 | $77,420 | $55,524 | $35,763 |
| 2020 | $612,136 | $113,640 | $112,839 | $107,175 | 11 | — | $57,976 | $33,820 |
| 2019 | $611,335 | $351,905 | $608,204 | $602,909 | 20 | — | $256,610 | $40,651 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stenson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $45K 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 2024 filing describes its direct charitable activity as contributions to organizations that help people help themselves and contributions to people to help themselves. Its grantees’ missions illustrate some of the work supported: Hope Harbor describes itself as a privately funded Christian ministry focused on family restoration, while Recovery Is Happening says it helps educate and provide services to people and families affected by substance abuse and mental health issues to achieve long-term recovery.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $108,181 through 17 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $800 to $30,000, with a median of $5,000.
The largest grants included $30,000 to Hope Harbor in Marshall, Minnesota; $22,500 to Recovery Is Happening in Rochester, Minnesota; and $12,500 to Family Promise in Rochester, Minnesota. Other listed grants included $5,000 each to Crosswinds, Megan Nunez, Tori Applehoff, Marshall Food 4 Kids, Kermit Ness, and Pride in the Tiger.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Stenson as president; Claudia Stenson as vice president; and Carrie Doom, Greg Doom, Amy Carey, and Arlen Carey as directors.
Stenson Family Foundation is led by Mark Stenson, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mark Stenson
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Amy Carey
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Arlen Carey
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Carrie Doom
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Greg Doom
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Claudia Stenson
Vice President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Stenson Family Foundation
How much does Stenson Family Foundation give each year?
Stenson Family Foundation gave $108K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $103K across 19 grants.
What is Stenson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Stenson Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,364, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Stenson Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Stenson Family Foundation give grants?
Stenson Family Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, MN (6 grants), Marshall, MN (3 grants), Oronoco, MN (2 grants) and Cambridge, MN (2 grants).
Who are Stenson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Stenson Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hope Harbor ($30,000), Recovery Is Happening ($22,500) and Family Promise ($12,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Stenson Family Foundation?
Stenson Family Foundation reported $792K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $108K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $45K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Stenson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes its direct charitable activity as contributions to organizations that help people help themselves and contributions to people to help themselves. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Stenson Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Stenson Family Foundation's EIN?
Stenson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1954452. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Stenson Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Stenson Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stenson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Christine C Schulze Legacy Foundation
Henderson, NV
The Christine C Schulze Legacy Foundation funds organizations addressing homelessness and domestic violence, supporting veterans, children, and people with disabilities, primarily in Nevada, with some grants in Arizona. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median award of $15,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.5M
Grants
31
Total Given
$466K
Concord Female Charitable Society
Concord, NH
The Concord Female Charitable Society supports scholarships and organizations serving people in New Hampshire, including work related to food, housing, mental health, education, and family and senior services. In 2025, it made 34 grants totaling $51,125, typically around $1,000 (median), with awards ranging from $225 to $7,000. A copy of the application is available upon request; the filing lists April 15 as the deadline.
Assets
$767K
Grants
34
Total Given
$51K
Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Inc
West Palm Beach, FL
The Foundation funds nonprofits serving Palm Beach and Martin Counties, or projects that directly benefit residents there, in areas including education and youth, economic opportunity, thriving communities, capacity building, and crisis preparation and response. Its FY25 competitive grants averaged about $37,000, with a median of $30,000; awards ranged from $5,397 to $1.1 million. It accepts year-round requests starting with a Letter of Inquiry, and may invite selected applicants to submit a full proposal.
Assets
$293.4M
Grants
421
Total Given
$26.5M
Fiesta Events Inc
Scottsdale, AZ
FIESTA EVENTS INC supports Arizona community events and charitable organizations focused on youth, sports, and education, including programs in health, inclusive recreation, and services for children and families. Its 2025 grants ranged from $15,000 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000; its sponsorship information describes requests from Arizona nonprofits, but does not state whether unsolicited grant requests are accepted.
Assets
$986K
Grants
22
Total Given
$475K
Gives Sunset FKA Depcom Gives
Scottsdale, AZ
Assets
—
Grants
8
Total Given
$37K
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Stenson Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/stenson-family-foundation-morg_afcb9889ec8746c0a1e2508f65f38bc4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201954452_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Stenson Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/stenson-family-foundation-morg_afcb9889ec8746c0a1e2508f65f38bc4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Stenson Family 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.
Stenson Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?