The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation
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.
The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,178,729
- -15.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,178,729
- -15.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,178,729
- Total assets
- $285,651,487
- +7.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Statement Attached ($10.2M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
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.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Statement Attached Minnetonka, MN | Statement Attached | $10,178,729 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $285,651,487 | $7,628,532 | $13,422,720 | $10,178,729 | 1 | $12,484,295 | $9,089,489 | $13,534,238 |
| 2023 | $267,033,099 | $12,427,978 | $14,807,460 | $11,999,339 | 1 | $13,944,218 | $11,551,500 | $12,759,390 |
| 2022 | $254,585,066 | $11,578,614 | $14,514,868 | $11,788,978 | 1 | $13,516,685 | $9,967,498 | $13,113,480 |
| 2021 | $300,826,673 | $21,132,663 | $13,007,350 | $10,620,619 | 1 | $12,060,700 | $22,393,864 | $13,892,464 |
| 2020 | $266,458,640 | $5,456,292 | $12,129,647 | $10,125,400 | 1 | — | $5,732,234 | $11,663,838 |
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.
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
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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation funds
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