The Depot Foundation
The Depot Foundation is a private foundation based in Duluth, Minnesota. Established in 1979, it supports preservation of the historic St. Louis County Depot and the arts, culture, and history organizations that use it.
The Depot Foundation at a glance
In short: The Depot Foundation gave $559K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Minnesota. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $558,841
- +13.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- -6.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,027
- +20.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,153
- Total assets
- $8,406,761
- +5.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (5 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Depot Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The website describes an application process for organizations planning a program within the Depot, but the foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Its stated annual schedule is July 15 through August 31; applications require the grant application, and the website provides a grant budget worksheet and final grant report.
- Review Cycle
- The website states that applications are due August 31 each year. The 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The website states that applications are due August 31 each year.
- Contact
Mailing address: 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 279-9913
Website: https://www.depotfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Depot Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Louis County - the Depot ($157K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $553K.
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 113 grants of 127 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving the arts, culture, and history of Duluth and the surrounding area. Its 2025 grants were concentrated in Minnesota: the filing reports 94% of grant dollars going to recipients in Minnesota, 4% to New York, and 3% to Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Depot Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 13 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $57K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $44K repeat.
- 62% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 42% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 187% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $320K (2021) to $559K (2025). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $559K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Louis County - the Depot Duluth, MN | Theatre Rigging Upgrade | $149,000 |
| Minnesota Ballet Duluth, MN | Studio 4 Equipment, Marley Flooring, | $83,346 |
| St Louis County Historical Society Duluth, MN | Electrical Improvements, Display Fix | $49,808 |
| Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Commu Duluth, MN | A Collectible Sensation | $30,000 |
| Lake Superior Railroad Museum Duluth, MN | Gallery Car Project | $29,480 |
| Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra Duluth, MN | Bridge Sessions, Season 3 | $25,377 |
| Minnesota Ballet Duluth, MN | Remodel and Revitalization | $24,510 |
| The Old Hillside LLC Brooklyn, NY | Revisionist | $20,000 |
| Lake Superior Railrod Museum Duluth, MN | Musem Lights Upgrade | $19,874 |
| Lake Arts Project Milwaukee, WI | Relate/Create | $16,159 |
Ready to take the next step with The Depot 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,406,761 | $645,575 | $635,772 | $558,841 | 31 | $743,655 | $320,385 | $398,619 |
| 2024 | $7,986,535 | $718,790 | $1,357,933 | $493,041 | 33 | $512,344 | $414,692 | $373,880 |
| 2023 | $7,577,214 | $832,622 | $103,878 | $474,902 | 22 | $510,125 | $521,783 | $350,493 |
| 2022 | $7,143,356 | $1,278,011 | $1,170,344 | $393,528 | 26 | $418,099 | $916,632 | $349,517 |
| 2021 | $8,328,281 | $1,141,450 | $438,427 | $319,998 | 15 | — | $234,419 | $347,370 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Depot Foundation reported a distributable amount of $399K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to preserve the St. Louis County Depot as a vibrant and welcoming forum for arts, culture, and history through managing and growing a permanent endowment. Its stated grant activity includes support for the Depot’s identity as a cultural, arts, and heritage center.
The foundation has supported organizations including the Minnesota Ballet, St. Louis County Historical Society, Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth Art Institute, and Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. The Minnesota Ballet describes its mission as advancing ballet, increasing access, and serving the community through education, performances, and instruction. The St. Louis County Historical Society says it works to discover, preserve, and share the history of St. Louis County and Minnesota through archival and museum services. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum says it educates the public about railroad operations and equipment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 31 grants totaling $558,841. Grant amounts ranged from $80 to $149,000, with a median grant of $8,153. The largest listed awards included $149,000 to St. Louis County – The Depot for a theatre rigging upgrade, $83,346 to Minnesota Ballet for studio equipment and Marley flooring, and $49,808 to the St. Louis County Historical Society for electrical improvements and display fixtures. Other listed awards included $30,000 to Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community and $29,480 to Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
The foundation’s website says applications are for organizations planning a program within the Depot. The website describes an annual application, budget worksheet, and final report. Its stated schedule is July 15 through August 31, with grants to be spent by June 30 of the following year. The 2026 application window has passed. The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy Kuronen as chair, Christine Melone as vice chair, Robert Fischer as secretary, and Jenny Miller as treasurer. Directors listed are Dennis Lamkin, Elissa Husby, Kris Kapsner, Rick Lubbers, Jill Pinkney-Pastrana, and Barb Perella.
The website lists Jason Young as executive director and Shelly Vanneste as administrative assistant.
The Depot Foundation is led by Amy Kuronen, Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amy Kuronen
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barb Perella
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Lamkin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elissa Husby
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Kapsner
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Cutshall
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Lubbers
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Craft Dryer
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Walli
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Pinkney-Pastrana
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Young
Executive Di
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$96K (2025)
Christine Melone
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Fischer
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Miller
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Amy Hietapelto (2021–2024) — Chair
- Former: Bill Gravelle (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Jill Pinkney Pastrana (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Karol Sowers (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Missy Francisco Carlson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Renee Mattson (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Rob Hoffmann (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $96K, to Jason Young (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about The Depot Foundation
How much does The Depot Foundation give each year?
The Depot Foundation gave $559K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $493K across 33 grants.
What is The Depot Foundation's typical grant size?
The Depot Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,153, and its average grant was $18,027, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Depot Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Depot Foundation give grants?
The Depot Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Duluth, MN (29 grants).
Does The Depot Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of The Depot Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Hanft Fride Voucher Program" (6 grants) and "Arts for All Scholarships" (4 grants).
Who are The Depot Foundation's largest grantees?
The Depot Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include St Louis County - the Depot ($157,153 across 2 grants), Minnesota Ballet ($127,985 across 5 grants) and St Louis County Historical Society ($67,745 across 4 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Depot Foundation?
The Depot Foundation reported $8.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $744K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $399K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Depot Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to preserve the St. Louis County Depot as a vibrant and welcoming forum for arts, culture, and history through managing and growing a permanent endowment. Its stated grant activity includes support for the Depot’s identity as a cultural, arts, and heritage center. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Depot Foundation?
The website describes an application process for organizations planning a program within the Depot, but the foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Depot Foundation's EIN?
The Depot Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1356072. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Depot 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 18, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Depot Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Depot Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-depot-foundation-morg_1c4cb504e6bb4d41afcc3102cb27854b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411356072_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Depot Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-depot-foundation-morg_1c4cb504e6bb4d41afcc3102cb27854b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Depot 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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