The Helgeson Foundation

MINNEAPOLIS, MN EIN: 46-4350306

The Helgeson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public, Societal Benefit, based in MINNEAPOLIS, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 31 grants totaling $136K. Net investment income was $516K.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.5M

+17.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$136K

-6.8% YoY

Grant Count

31

+3.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$4K

-9.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helgeson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $163K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Helgeson Foundation

Based on IRS filings

The Helgeson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public, Societal Benefit, based in MINNEAPOLIS, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 31 grants totaling $136K. Net investment income was $516K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Cities

DuluthEdinaFinlandGrand MaraisMaplewoodMarine On Saint CroixMinneapolisOaklandSaint PaulSt CloudSt PaulVadnais HeightsZimmerman

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$158K$317K$475K$634K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,491,325$2,124,816$2,213,601
Revenue$576,145$137,057$100,216
Expenses$209,636$217,842$229,790
Qualifying Distributions$149,448$159,969$173,136
Net Investment Income$515,956$79,184$48,329
Distributable Amount$163,259$149,549$159,137

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$40K$80K$120K$160K25 grants202023 grants202124 grants202230 grants202331 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Climate Generation$11KCedar Cultural Center$10KWolf Ridge Environmental…$10KVoyageur Outward Bound S…$9KBrownbody$8KThe Loppet Foundation$8KInteract$7KPenumbra Theatre Company…$7KTwin Cities Jazz Festival$7KWilderness Inquiry$7K

Grant Size Distribution

133 grants across all recorded years

133<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Climate Generation ($10,500), Cedar Cultural Center ($10,000), Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center ($9,500).

RecipientPurposeAmount
American Composers Forum Saint Paul, MNGeneral Funding$5,000
American Indian Community Housing Organization Duluth, MNGeneral Funding$1,000
Articulture Minneapolis, MNGeneral Funding$1,000
Brownbody Vadnais Heights, MNGeneral Funding$8,000
Cedar Cultural Center Minneapolis, MNGeneral Funding$10,000
Center For Irish Music Saint Paul, MNGeneral Funding$5,000
Climate Generation Minneapolis, MNGeneral Funding$10,500
ComMUSICation Saint Paul, MNGeneral Funding$1,000
Ernest Oberholtzer Foundation Marine on Saint Croix, MNGeneral Funding$2,500
Friends of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Zimmerman, MNGeneral Funding$3,500

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Glen HelgesonPres & Treas$12KRita Penrod HelgesonExec Dir & S$12KMariah KathanVice President$8K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Glen HelgesonPres & Treas$12,000
Rita Penrod HelgesonExec Dir & S$12,000
Mariah KathanVice President$8,000

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Helgeson Foundation?

The Helgeson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public, Societal Benefit, based in MINNEAPOLIS, MN. It holds $2.5M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Helgeson Foundation?

As of 2024, The Helgeson Foundation holds $2.5M in total assets with $576K in annual revenue. It awarded 31 grants totaling $136K in 2024.

Where does The Helgeson Foundation operate?

The Helgeson Foundation has awarded grants in California, Minnesota.

What size grants does The Helgeson Foundation award?

In 2024, The Helgeson Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $136K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Helgeson Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Helgeson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $163K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Helgeson Foundation's EIN?

The Helgeson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4350306. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

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

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