The Alsam Foundation
The ALSAM Foundation is a private foundation listed in Illinois. Its 2024 grants supported organizations including educational institutions, research organizations, schools, and cultural and environmental organizations.
The Alsam Foundation at a glance
In short: The Alsam Foundation gave $49.1M across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $2.5M), mostly in Utah. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $49,056,610
- -26.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- -28.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,452,831
- +2.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $750,000
- Total assets
- $50,427,712
- -45.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (4 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Utah (71% 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 The Alsam Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: The Northern Trust Company As Tru, PO Box Chica, IL 60680
Phone: (312) 630-6000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Alsam Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Skaggs Catholic Center LLC ($16.7M). Together the top 10 received $45.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,500,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 36 grants of 139 (26%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Utah (71%), California (20%), Idaho (7%), and Montana (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Alsam Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 20 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $760K; repeat grants $2.9M. How we count
Medians: $620K first-time, $803K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 74% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 $28.2M (2021) to $67.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $49.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Skaggs Catholic Center LLC Draper, UT | Performing Arts Center and | $16,650,237 |
| The Scripps Research Insitute La Jolla, CA | The Calibr-Bridging | $10,000,000 |
| Judge Memorial Catholic High School Salt Lake City, UT | Capital Campaign for New | $7,500,000 |
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Endowment and Capital | $4,750,000 |
| Friends of Zoo Boise Boise, ID | Veterinary Hospital | $2,000,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $1,500,000 |
| Madeleine Choir Salt Lake City, UT | Field House and Early | $1,000,000 |
| The Living Planet Draper, UT | Capital Campaign of Science | $892,729 |
| Saint Vincent De Paul School Salt Lake City, UT | Tech Infrastructure, Hvac | $855,800 |
| Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT | STEM Laboratory | $750,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Alsam 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $50,427,712 | $8,566,964 | $49,960,216 | $49,056,610 | 20 | $49,777,050 | $3,939,396 | $3,528,860 |
| 2023 | $91,645,117 | $9,385,297 | $68,026,556 | $66,958,358 | 28 | $67,708,121 | $9,250,246 | $5,418,215 |
| 2022 | $149,824,327 | $9,030,574 | $39,724,228 | $38,437,514 | 31 | $39,271,743 | $8,840,988 | $8,271,584 |
| 2021 | $179,658,562 | $6,320,952 | $29,425,422 | $28,216,407 | 28 | $29,057,362 | $5,882,446 | $10,481,317 |
| 2020 | $202,669,501 | $9,314,872 | $31,874,534 | $30,619,796 | 32 | — | $8,425,029 | $11,078,393 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Alsam Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for research, scholarships, education and school facilities, performing arts, and a zoo veterinary hospital.
Among its grantees, Idaho State University Foundation describes its mission as stimulating voluntary private support for the benefit of the university and its students. The Living Planet says it inspires people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Wasatch Mountain Institute describes providing hands-on learning through outdoor recreation at an individual recipient Park.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 20 grants totaling $49,056,610. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $16,650,237, with a median grant of $750,000.
The largest listed grants included $16,650,237 to Skaggs Catholic Center LLC for a performing arts center; $10,000,000 to The Scripps Research Institute for “CALIBR-BRIDGING THE”; $7,500,000 to Judge Memorial Catholic High School for a capital campaign; and $4,750,000 to the University of Utah for endowment and capital purposes. Other listed grants included $2,000,000 to Friends of Zoo Boise for a veterinary hospital and $1,500,000 to Idaho State University Foundation for a Skaggs scholarship program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists The Northern Trust Company as trustee. Officers and grants committee members listed were Ronny L. Cutshall, president; Don L. Skaggs, treasurer; Claudia Skaggs Luttrell, secretary; Mark S. Skaggs; Susie S. Balukoff; Arnold LaGuardia; and Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vice president.
The Alsam Foundation is led by Ronny L. Cutshall, President & Grants Committee on every filing since 2020; all 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ronny L. Cutshall
President & Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
27 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $353K (2024)
The Northern Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$360K (2020) → $107K (2024)
Arnold Laguardia
Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$20K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Claudia Skaggs Luttrell
Secretary & Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$20K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Don L. Skaggs
Treasurer & Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$20K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Mark S. Skaggs
Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$20K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald
V.p. & Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$20K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Susie S. Balukoff
Grants Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$20K (2020) → $30K (2024)
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 $353K, to Ronny L Cutshall (President/Grants Committee). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Alsam Foundation
How much does The Alsam Foundation give each year?
The Alsam Foundation gave $49.1M across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $67.0M across 28 grants.
What is The Alsam Foundation's typical grant size?
The Alsam Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $750,000, and its average grant was $2,452,831, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Alsam Foundation that year got $760K on average.
Where does The Alsam Foundation give grants?
The Alsam Foundation gives mostly in Utah: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (20%) and Idaho (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (8 grants) and Draper, UT (2 grants).
Does The Alsam Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of The Alsam Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Alsam Foundation's largest grantees?
The Alsam Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Skaggs Catholic Center LLC ($16,650,237), The Scripps Research Insitute ($10,000,000) and Judge Memorial Catholic High School ($7,500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,500,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Alsam Foundation?
The Alsam Foundation reported $50.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $49.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Alsam Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for research, scholarships, education and school facilities, performing arts, and a zoo veterinary hospital. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Alsam Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Alsam Foundation's EIN?
The Alsam Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2364289. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Alsam Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Alsam Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-alsam-foundation-morg_f8c05d4ca2ac4232aa3cca2c1bb326b3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742364289_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Alsam Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-alsam-foundation-morg_f8c05d4ca2ac4232aa3cca2c1bb326b3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Alsam 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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