The Little Seed Foundation
The Little Seed Foundation is a private foundation, based in Watertown, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $480K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $15K.
The Little Seed Foundation at a glance
In short: The Little Seed Foundation gave $35K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $35,000
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,000
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $480,236
- -5.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Little Seed Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Thresholds Community ($10K). Together the top 5 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 26 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Little Seed Foundation gives
- Giving fell 70% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 150% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $30K (2022) to $116K (2021). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Thresholds Community Sand Diego, CA | To transform the lives of people living with mental illnesses and substance use disorders | $10,000 |
| Thresholds Community Journey Home Sand Diego, CA | To transform the lives of people living with mental illnesses and substance use disorders | $10,000 |
| Amnion Women's Center Burnsville, MN | To share the gospel of jesus christ and protect and advocate the sanctity of all human life, born and unborn, through the provision of abortion alternative services that empower mothers to choose life. | $5,000 |
| Together for Good St. Paul, MN | To create pathways for the church to come alongside vulnerable families in christ-centered ministry | $5,000 |
| Urban Homeworks Minneapolis, MN | To perpetuate the hope of jesus christ through innovative community development | $5,000 |
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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 | $480,236 | $12,881 | $39,062 | $35,000 | 5 | $36,356 | $14,761 | $24,273 |
| 2023 | $506,417 | $32,848 | $33,469 | $30,000 | 5 | $31,115 | $15,513 | $27,888 |
| 2022 | $606,112 | $304,464 | $36,468 | $30,000 | 4 | $31,568 | $1,849 | $23,226 |
| 2021 | $338,116 | $182,133 | $122,170 | $116,000 | 4 | $117,364 | $42,337 | $14,168 |
| 2020 | $278,153 | $66,691 | $35,168 | $31,000 | 8 | — | $22,043 | $12,617 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Little Seed Foundation reported a distributable amount of $24K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Little Seed Foundation is led by Christine T. Buttenhoff, Directer, V. President & Secretary since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christine T. Buttenhoff
Directer, V. President & Secretary
Director, V.president & Secretary → Directer, V. President & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joel T. Buttenhoff
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jan C. Larson (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Little Seed Foundation
How much does The Little Seed Foundation give each year?
The Little Seed Foundation gave $35K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $30K across 5 grants.
What is The Little Seed Foundation's typical grant size?
The Little Seed Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,000, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Little Seed Foundation give grants?
The Little Seed Foundation gives mostly in California: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (43%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sand Diego, CA (2 grants).
Does The Little Seed Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Little Seed Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Little Seed Foundation's largest grantees?
The Little Seed Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Thresholds Community ($10,000), Thresholds Community Journey Home ($10,000) and Amnion Women's Center ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Little Seed Foundation?
The Little Seed Foundation reported $480K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $36K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Little Seed Foundation's EIN?
The Little Seed Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1302278. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Little Seed Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Little Seed Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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