The Melsness Family Foundation

STEVENSVILLE, MT EIN: 91-2154965

The Melsness Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in STEVENSVILLE, MT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $426K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 20 grants totaling $430K. Net investment income was $12K.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$426K

+31.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$430K

+13.1% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$21K

+13.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Melsness Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Melsness Family Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Washington $574K (44%)

South Dakota $218K (17%)

Montana $164K (12%)

Michigan $100K (8%)

Nevada $80K (6%)

Alaska $61K (5%)

Illinois $40K (3%)

Utah $26K (2%)

+9 more states

States

Alaska California District of Columbia Florida Illinois Louisiana Michigan Montana Nevada New York Oregon South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington

Cities

BremertonChicagoGig HarborGreat FallsHamiltonHendersonIndian WellsLakebayMemphisMiltonMissoulaMussoulaNew OrleansNew YorkPortlandPuyallupQuanticoRapid CityRenoSalt Lake City

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$425,936	$322,998	$387,365
Revenue	$538,710	$327,771	$250,000
Expenses	$435,772	$392,138	$280,874
Qualifying Distributions	$429,790	$380,130	$267,587
Net Investment Income	$11,910	$5,771	—
Distributable Amount	$1,385	$10,367	$18,740

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 2024

Grant Size Distribution

84 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include One Spirit ($92,000), Next Chapter ($50,000), Watsons Childrens Shelter ($50,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ADOPT-A-NATIVE-ELDER PROGRAM SALT LAKE CITY, UT	TO PROVIDE FOOD AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR ELDERS OF THE NATIVE DINE PEOPLE	$7,190
BITTERROOT PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL HAMILTON, MT	TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF PERFORMING ARTS EXPERIENCES.	$1,000
CM RUSSELL MUSEUM - PROGRAM FOR KIDS GREAT FALLS, MT	TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, RESEARCH, INTERPRET, AND EDUCATE ON THE ART AND LIFE OF CHARLES MARION RUSSELL	$500
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
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA	FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS	$1,000
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.	$15,000
GIG HARBOR KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL GIG HARBOR, WA	SERVICE PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF CHILDREN IN GIG HARBOR AND THE WORLD	$35,000
MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK MISSOULA, MT	TO END HUNGER IN MONTANA THROUGH FOOD ACQUISITION AND DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.	$100
NEXT CHAPTER TACOMA, WA	EMPOWERING THE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR CHILDREN TO THRIVE	$50,000
ONE SPIRIT RAPID CITY, SD	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LAKOTA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH MATERIAL NEEDS	$92,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
SHEILAH K MELSNESS	VICE PRESIDENT	0.25	—
MARK MELSNESS	TREASURER	0.25	$500
LARRY R MELSNESS	PRESIDENT	0.25	—
JAMIE MELSNESS	SECRETARY	0.25	$500
GORDON RUSH	BOARD MEMBER	0.25	—
MELIA MELSNESS	BOARD MEMBER	0.25	$500
DAN DURR	BOARD MEMBER	0.25	$500
SUSAN HENDRIX	BOARD MEMBER	0.25	$500
TERRI SPRIGGEL	BOARD MEMBER	0.25	$500

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

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 $426K in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Melsness Family Foundation?

As of 2024, The Melsness Family Foundation holds $426K in total assets with $539K in annual revenue. It awarded 20 grants totaling $430K in 2024.

Where does The Melsness Family Foundation operate?

The Melsness Family Foundation has awarded grants in Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.

What size grants does The Melsness Family Foundation award?

In 2024, The Melsness Family Foundation awarded 20 grants totaling $430K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

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

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Melsness Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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 2020–2024.