The Chester Johnson Charitable
The Chester Johnson Charitable is a private foundation, based in Balaton, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $1.7M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 8 grants totaling $104K. Net investment income was $174K.
The Chester Johnson Charitable at a glance
In short: The Chester Johnson Charitable gave $104K across 8 grants in 2026 (avg $13K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $103,867
- +16.7% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 8
- +33.3% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $12,983
- -12.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $1,696,094
- +6.3% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who The Chester Johnson Charitable funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Shelburne Township ($38K). Together the top 8 received $104K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Chester Johnson Charitable gives
- Giving fell 22% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 94% 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
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $58K (2024) to $132K (2023). In 2026 it made 8 grants totaling $104K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shelburne Township Russell, MN | General Contribution | $38,000 |
| Southwest Inititive Foundation Hutchinson, MN | Balaton MN Parks | $25,000 |
| Tracy Independent School District Tracy, MN | Preschool Operations | $17,507 |
| Balaton Fire Dept Balaton, MN | General Contribution | $10,000 |
| Balaton Chamber of Commerce Balaton, MN | Recreation Activities | $5,000 |
| Hope Marketvictory Church of Balat Balation, MN | General Contribution | $5,000 |
| Balaton Historical Society Balaton, MN | General Contribution | $3,000 |
| American Legion Tracy, MN | Recreational Activities | $360 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,696,094 | $240,198 | $140,028 | $103,867 | 8 | $132,867 | $173,571 | $141,718 |
| 2025 | $1,595,924 | $178,992 | $114,528 | $89,018 | 6 | $108,018 | $175,667 | $128,098 |
| 2024 | $1,531,460 | $91,472 | $82,206 | $58,455 | 6 | $77,455 | $83,732 | $112,004 |
| 2023 | $1,522,194 | $77,098 | $159,127 | $132,397 | 12 | $150,897 | $70,511 | $105,793 |
| 2022 | $1,604,223 | $117,423 | $117,671 | $96,280 | 11 | $112,030 | $112,773 | $119,862 |
| 2021 | $1,604,471 | $74,083 | $108,862 | $87,471 | 10 | — | $69,696 | $109,888 |
| 2020 | $1,639,250 | $123,845 | $113,012 | $98,848 | 10 | — | $119,417 | $106,388 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Chester Johnson Charitable reported a distributable amount of $142K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Chester Johnson Charitable's 2026 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Curtis Peterson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$8K (2020) → $15K (2026)
Lee Stafne
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$8K (2020) → $15K (2026)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $15K, to Lee Stafne (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Chester Johnson Charitable
How much does The Chester Johnson Charitable give each year?
The Chester Johnson Charitable gave $104K across 8 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $89K across 6 grants.
What is The Chester Johnson Charitable's typical grant size?
The Chester Johnson Charitable's median grant in 2026 was $7,500, and its average grant was $12,983, across 8 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Chester Johnson Charitable give grants?
The Chester Johnson Charitable gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Balaton, MN (3 grants) and Tracy, MN (2 grants).
Does The Chester Johnson Charitable give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of The Chester Johnson Charitable's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Chester Johnson Charitable's largest grantees?
The Chester Johnson Charitable's largest 2026 grantees include Shelburne Township ($38,000), Southwest Inititive Foundation ($25,000) and Tracy Independent School District ($17,507), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Chester Johnson Charitable?
The Chester Johnson Charitable reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $133K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $142K (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.
What is The Chester Johnson Charitable's EIN?
The Chester Johnson Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1754292. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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