The Barry Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Fargo, North Dakota. Established in 1986 by B. John Barry, the foundation is dedicated to proactive philanthropy with a commitment to supporting North Dakota and Minnesota communities. The foundation operates with a focus on developing the next generation of young philanthropists through innovative programming and direct grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$54.9M
+11.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+26.9% YoY
Grant Count
322
+16.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+9.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Barry Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Barry Foundation's mission is encapsulated in the words "inspire.lead.share." The foundation is guided by five core values: Creativity, Proactive, Passion, Gratitude, and Sustainability.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education — particularly youth education and scholarships
- Philanthropy and Youth Development — introducing high school students to philanthropic principles and grantmaking
- Human Services
- Youth Leadership and Service
Grantmaking
The Barry Foundation operates several distinct grant programs:
Grant Range
$50–$150,000
Average Grant
$3,519
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Barry Foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- North Dakota
- Minnesota
- Arizona
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023)
- Total assets: $49.2–$54.9 million
- Total revenue: $1.72 million
- Total expenses: $2.57 million
- Total liabilities: $93,300
Historical Growth
- Total assets have grown from $38 million in 2011 to $54.9 million in 2024
- The foundation has experienced exceptional growth, with revenue increasing by an average of 30.1% annually over a three-year period
Staffing
- 5–6 employees
Tax Status
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since December 2015
- EIN: 20-5767275
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $54,902,011 | $49,183,702 | $45,065,627 |
| Revenue | $5,723,834 | $1,722,649 | $1,640,906 |
| Expenses | $3,178,567 | $2,571,385 | $2,519,875 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,624,363 | $2,562,224 | $2,290,611 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,902,465 | $1,193,162 | $1,311,702 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,424,479 | $2,282,933 | $2,360,777 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation ($335,000), Venn Foundation ($197,500), Young Life Castaway Club ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Folkways fiscal host FM Area Foundation Fargo, ND | Arts: Downtown Community Programming Support for Folkways | $10,000 |
| Project 412 Detroit Lakes, MN | Arts: Gratitude Grant - Wave Maker Fund | $1,000 |
| Ann Bancroft Foundation St Paul, MN | Education: Annual Event and Programming | $25,000 |
| Arizona State University Foundation Tempe, AZ | Education: Public Service Academy Student Support | $5,000 |
| Concordia College Moorhead, MN | Education: Memorial - Dr. Daniel Giles Lysne | $5,000 |
| JPII Catholic Schools Fargo, ND | Education: Match for Deacon Builders Scholarship Endowment | $140,000 |
| Minnesota Council on Foundations Minneapolis, MN | Education: Annual Membership Grant | $2,500 |
| National Center for Family Philanthropy Washington DC, DC | Education: Annual Membership Grant | $1,400 |
| North Dakota State University Foundation and Alumni Association Fargo, ND | Education: Memorial - Dr. Daniel Giles Lysne | $5,000 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Medora, ND | Education: Capital Campaign - TRPLF Auditorium | $335,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- B. John Barry — Chairman Emeritus & Director (5 hrs/week)
- Michael B. Barry — Chair & Director (10 hrs/week)
- Thomas J. Barry — Chair & Director (through November) (10 hrs/week)
- Marty J. Hoffmann — President, CEO, Secretary & Director (50 hrs/week) — Principal Officer
- Stacie M. Montgomery — COO & CFO (45 hrs/week)
- Dana R. Johnson — Director (5 hrs/week)
- Jessica M. Barry — Director (5 hrs/week)
- Paula Trom — Director (5 hrs/week)
- Dean C. Hoffrogge — Treasurer (5 hrs/week)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B John Barry | Chairman Emeritus & Director | 5 | — |
| Michael B Barry | Chair & Director | 10 | — |
| Dana R Johnson | Director | 5 | — |
| Jessica M Barry | Vice Chair & Director | 5 | — |
| Paula Trom | Director | 5 | — |
| Marty J Hoffmann | President, CEO, Secretary & Director | 50 | $222,693 |
| Dean C Hoffrogge | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Stacie M Montgomery | COO & CFO | 45 | $115,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to expand its youth-focused programming. In 2023, the Philanthropy and Youth program engaged over 500 high school students from 19 area schools in grantmaking activities, demonstrating sustained commitment to developing young philanthropists in the region.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Barry Foundation fund?
The Barry Foundation's mission is encapsulated in the words "inspire.lead.share." The foundation is guided by five core values: Creativity, Proactive, Passion, Gratitude, and Sustainability. Primary funding areas include: • **Education** — particularly youth education and scholarships • **Philanthropy and Youth Development** — introducing high school students to philanthropic principles and grantmaking • **Human Services** • **Youth Leadership and Service**
How do I apply for a grant from The Barry Foundation?
The Barry Foundation operates several distinct grant programs: **Philanthropy and Youth (PaY) Program** • Introduces high school students to philanthropy and leadership • In 2023, over 500 students from 19 area high schools participated, making 133 grants to 90 organizations totaling $95,000 • Administrative grants totaling $7,650 were also awarded **PaY Summer Internship Program** • Provides meaningful summer employment for high school students at nonprofit organizations • Students are matched…
Where does The Barry Foundation make grants?
The Barry Foundation primarily funds organizations in: • North Dakota • Minnesota • Arizona
What size grants does The Barry Foundation award?
In 2024, The Barry Foundation awarded 322 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Barry Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Barry Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Barry Foundation's EIN?
The Barry Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5767275. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Barry Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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