The Melsness Family Foundation
The Melsness Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Stevensville, MT. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $981K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 20 grants totaling $453K. Net investment income was $13K.
Key facts about The Melsness Family Foundation
In short: The Melsness Family Foundation gave $453K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Washington. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 91-2154965
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $453,102
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- Average grant
- $22,655
- Median grant
- $12,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (5 of 20, 2025)
- Total assets
- $980,609
- Primary geography
- Washington (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$981K
+130.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$453K
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
20
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
+5.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Melsness Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $159 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Melsness Family Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 20 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 69% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 20 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ONE SPIRIT Rapid City, SD | TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LAKOTA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH MATERIAL NEEDS | $101,241 |
| WATSONS CHILDRENS SHELTER Mussoula, MI | TO PROVIDE SAFETY, NURTURING, AND STABILITY TO CHILDREN & FAMILIES THROUGH QUALITY SERVICES AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. | $50,000 |
| GIG HARBOR KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL Gig Harbor, WA | SERVICE PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF CHILDREN IN GIG HARBOR AND THE WORLD | $40,000 |
| PROJECT 150 Reno, NV | TO PROVIDE FREE SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO HOMELESS, DISPLACED, AND DISADVANTAGED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SO THEY CAN REMAIN IN SCHOOL, GRADUATE, AND BUILD BRIGHT FUTURES. | $40,000 |
| VINE MAPLE PLACE Maple Valley, WA | TO END FAMILY HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTH KING COUNTY, RESULTING IN HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERY CHILD AND PARENT HAS A STABLE HOME TO GROW AND THRIVE. | $40,000 |
| SOUTH SOUND CARE FOUNDATION Tacoma, WA | SOUTH SOUND CARE FOUNDATION BRINGS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LIFE SAVING, CUTTING EDGE CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS TO ALL PATIENTS IN THE SOUTH SOUND. | $34,000 |
| FOOD AND BACKPACKS 4 KIDS Lakebay, WA | TO MEET THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF HUNGRY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT TIMES WHEN OTHER RESOURCES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND TO BE A STABLE SOURCE OF HEALTHY FOODS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. | $25,000 |
| CARING FOR KIDS Fircrest, WA | TO HELP RAISE HEALTHY, HAPPY, PRODUCTIVE KIDS WHO ARE READY TO LEARN! | $25,000 |
| SERVING OUR KIDS FOUNDATION Henderson, NV | TO PROVIDE HOPE AND A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR AT-RISK, FOOD-INSECURE CHILDREN BY PROVIDING THEM A WEEKLY, WEEKEND MEAL BAG THROUGH A VAST GROUP OF DONORS, ADVOCATES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK TO HELP US END CHILD HUNGER ACROSS THE VALLEY. | $20,000 |
| COMPASSION WASHINGTON Tacoma, WA | TO UNITE WITH COMMUNITIES TO SHARE THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST BY PROVIDING FREE HEALTHCARE CLINICS AND FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. | $12,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $980,609 | $425,936 | $322,998 |
| Revenue | $1,013,064 | $538,710 | $327,771 |
| Expenses | $458,391 | $435,772 | $392,138 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $453,102 | $429,790 | $380,130 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,064 | $11,910 | $5,771 |
| Distributable Amount | $159 | $1,385 | $10,367 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 30, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Melsness Family Foundation is led by Larry R. Melsness, President since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 6 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Larry R. Melsness
President
Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Melsness
Treasurer
Vice President → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2022) → $500 (2025)
Jamie Melsness
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2022) → $500 (2025)
Dan Durr
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2022) → $500 (2025)
Melia Melsness
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2022) → $500 (2025)
Susan Hendrix
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2022) → $500 (2025)
Terri Spriggel
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2023) → $500 (2025)
Gordon Rush
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheilah K. Melsness
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jamie Melsness Caton (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Donald R. Brink (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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
Frequently asked questions about The Melsness Family Foundation
How much does The Melsness Family Foundation give each year?
The Melsness Family Foundation gave $453K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $430K across 20 grants.
What is The Melsness Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Melsness Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $22,655, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Melsness Family Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does The Melsness Family Foundation give grants?
The Melsness Family Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were South Dakota (22%) and Nevada (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tacoma, WA (4 grants) and Hamilton, MT (3 grants).
Does The Melsness Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on The Melsness Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Melsness Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Melsness Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include One Spirit ($101,241), Watsons Childrens Shelter ($50,000) and Gig Harbor Kiwanis International ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Melsness Family Foundation?
The Melsness Family Foundation reported $981K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $453K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $159 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Melsness Family Foundation?
The Melsness Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Stevensville, MT. It holds $981K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Melsness Family Foundation's EIN?
The Melsness Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2154965. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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