Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Watford City, ND EIN: 87-4132712

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation is a private foundation, based in Watford City, ND. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $297K. Net investment income was $1.8M.

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation at a glance

In short: Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation gave $297K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $297K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$297,144
+91.7% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
1
-92.9% vs 2023
Average grant
$297,144
+2583.9% vs 2023
Median grant
$297,144
Total assets
$14,483,199
+53.1% vs 2023
Primary geography
Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2024

American Endowment Foundation: $297KAmerican Endowment Foundation$297K

The largest 2024 recipient was American Endowment Foundation ($297K).

Grant Size Distribution

16 grants across all recorded years

14<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 16 (88%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

Grand ForksWashingtonArlingtonAustinFargoGolden ValleyHudsonPhoenixRestonRichmondSpringfieldWatford CityWest Fargo

How Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation gives

  • In 2024 it paid out 51% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K0 grants2021 1 grant2022 14 grants2023 1 grant2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2022) to $297K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $297K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
American Endowment Foundation Hudson, OHFor distributions for charitable purposes.$297,144
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$14,483,199$5,422,364$398,860$297,1441$301,132$1,765,954$595,940
2023$9,459,695$5,376,054$206,929$155,00014$159,315$1,728,440$301,671
2022$4,291,418$2,545,062$37,231$5,5001$10,100$3,523$159,575
2021$2,532,750$3,937,290—————$5,313

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation reported a distributable amount of $596K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation is led by Stephen P Stenehjem, Chairman & Trustee on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Stephen P Stenehjem

    Chairman & Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Erik P Stenehjem

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gretchen K Stenehjem

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kira Stenehjem-Noll

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kristen K Stenehjem

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation

How much does Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation give each year?

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation gave $297K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $155K across 14 grants.

How large is Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation?

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation reported $14.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $301K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $596K (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.

Where does Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation operate?

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation has awarded grants in Arizona, District of Columbia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Virginia.

What is Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation's EIN?

Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4132712. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem 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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