The Little Seed Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$480K
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$35K
+16.7% YoY
Grant Count
5
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+16.7% YoY
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.
About The Little Seed Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Little Seed Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Little Seed Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $480,236 | $506,417 | $606,112 |
| Revenue | $12,881 | $32,848 | $304,464 |
| Expenses | $39,062 | $33,469 | $36,468 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $36,356 | $31,115 | $31,568 |
| Net Investment Income | $14,761 | $15,513 | $1,849 |
| Distributable Amount | $24,273 | $27,888 | $23,226 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Thresholds Community ($10,000), Thresholds Community Journey Home ($10,000), Amnion Women's Center ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOEL T BUTTENHOFF | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT, TREAS | 2 | — |
| CHRISTINE T BUTTENHOFF | DIRECTER, V. PRESIDENT, SECR | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Little Seed Foundation?
The Little Seed Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WATERTOWN, MN. It holds $480K in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Little Seed Foundation?
As of 2024, The Little Seed Foundation holds $480K in total assets with $13K in annual revenue. It awarded 5 grants totaling $35K in 2024.
Where does The Little Seed Foundation operate?
The Little Seed Foundation has awarded grants in California, Kansas, Minnesota.
What size grants does The Little Seed Foundation award?
In 2024, The Little Seed Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $35K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Little Seed Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Little Seed Foundation reported a distributable amount of $24K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Little Seed Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Xcel Energy Foundation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
1,820
Total Given
$7.7M
The Us Charitable Gift Trust
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
6,518
Total Given
$231.4M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
Baxter International Foundation
DEERFIELD, IL
Assets
$67.5M
Grants
1,300
Total Given
$13.7M
Retailroi Inc
FRANKLIN, TN
Assets
$172K
Grants
17
Total Given
$346K
Bowen Family Foundation
WACO, TX
Assets
$524K
Grants
10
Total Given
$224K
Christ Foundation
HARTVILLE, OH
Assets
$71.1M
Grants
189
Total Given
$4.4M
The Cooper Family Foundation of Mn Inc
VICTORIA, MN
Assets
$178K
Grants
9
Total Given
$9K
Philotimo Foundation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
17
Total Given
$344K
Mcdonnell Family Foundation
LITTLETON, CO
Assets
$7.7M
Grants
5
Total Given
$170K
Schneewind Family Foundation
DEEPHAVEN, MN
Assets
$369K
Grants
5
Total Given
$51K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with The Little Seed Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities