The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Minnetonka, MN EIN: 41-6028973

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minnetonka, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $285.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $10.2M. Net investment income was $9.1M.

Key facts about The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation

In short: The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation gave $10.2M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $10.2M), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
41-6028973
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$10,178,729
Grants made (2024)
1
Average grant
$10,178,729
Median grant
$10,178,729
Total assets
$285,651,487
Primary geography
Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

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

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$285.7M

+7.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$10.2M

-15.2% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$10.2M

-15.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation gives

  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 92% 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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

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

States

Cities

Minnetonka

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5M$10M$15M1 grant2020 1 grant2021 1 grant2022 1 grant2023 1 grant2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.1M (2020) to $12.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $10.2M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2024

Statement Attached: $10.2MStatement Attached$10.2M

The largest 2024 recipient was Statement Attached ($10.2M).

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M5$5M+

The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 5 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Statement Attached Minnetonka, MNStatement Attached$10,178,729

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$285,651,487$267,033,099$254,585,066
Revenue$7,628,532$12,427,978$11,578,614
Expenses$13,422,720$14,807,460$14,514,868
Qualifying Distributions$12,484,295$13,944,218$13,516,685
Net Investment Income$9,089,489$11,551,500$9,967,498
Distributable Amount$13,534,238$12,759,390$13,113,480

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation is led by Alexander Muresanu, Trustee & Board Chair since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Alexander Muresanu

    Trustee & Board Chair

    Trustee → Trustee & Board Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Barbara C. Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Emma Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Geoffrey C. Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Gina Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Marilyn C. Nelson

    Trustee

    Trustee & Treasurer → Trustee, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Patrick Gage

    Trustee & Treasurer

    Trustee → Trustee & Treasurer, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Richard C. Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Wendy M. Nelson

    Trustee

    Trustee & Board Chair → Trustee, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2020) → $8K (2024)

  • Juliet Jackson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2022) → $8K (2024)

  • Abigail Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2023) → $8K (2024)

  • Tenley Gage

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2023) → $8K (2024)

  • C. David Nelson

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $288K (2020) → $335K (2024)

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Diana L. Nelson (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Jennifer Nelson (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Juliet Nelson (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Scott C. Gage (2020) — Trustee

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

C David Nelson — Secretary: $335KC David NelsonSecretary$335KBarbara C Gage — Trustee: $8KBarbara C GageTrustee$8KMarilyn C Nelson — Trustee: $8KMarilyn C NelsonTrustee$8KWendy M Nelson — Trustee: $8KWendy M NelsonTrustee$8KRichard C Gage — Trustee: $8KRichard C GageTrustee$8KGeoffrey C Gage — Trustee: $8KGeoffrey C GageTrustee$8KJuliet Jackson — Trustee: $8KJuliet JacksonTrustee$8KAlexander Muresanu — Trustee, Board Chair: $8KAlexander MuresanuTrustee, Board Chair$8KPatrick Gage — Trustee, Treasurer: $8KPatrick GageTrustee, Treasurer$8KEmma Gage — Trustee: $8KEmma GageTrustee$8KGina Gage — Trustee: $8KGina GageTrustee$8KAbigail Gage — Trustee: $8KAbigail GageTrustee$8KTenley Gage — Trustee: $8KTenley GageTrustee$8K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $335K, to C David Nelson (Secretary). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation

How much does The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation give each year?

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation gave $10.2M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.0M across 1 grant.

How large is The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation?

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation reported $285.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.5M (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 The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation operate?

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation has awarded grants in Minnesota.

What is The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation's EIN?

The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6028973. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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

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