The Mesdag Family Foundation
The Mesdag Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, established in November 1992. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and serves as the primary philanthropic vehicle for T. Willem and Lisa Mesdag.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$810K
-1.5% YoY
Grant Count
46
-16.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+17.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including:
- Education & Youth
- Health & Human Services
- Arts & Culture
- Policy
- Aspen Community
The Mesdags have demonstrated particular commitment to their alma maters, Northwestern and Princeton.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded $676,000 in grants in 2019. In the fiscal year ending March 2024, the foundation distributed $822,700 in total giving.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending March 2024:
- Total Assets: $15,411,889
- Total Revenue: $3,455,900
- Total Expenses: $936,626
- Net Income: $2,519,274
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of Fiscal Year Ending March 2020:
- Fair Market Value of Assets: $13,356,875
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
246 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Aspen Music Festival and School ($100,000), Princeton University ($75,000), Harvard-westlake School ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASPEN ART MUSEUM ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIROMENTAL STUDIES ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BASALT, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ASPEN INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST CARBONDALE, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BOOKS FOR KIDS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| COLORADO ACADEMY DENVER, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| COLORADO BALLET DENVER, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is directed by T. Willem Mesdag and Lisa Mesdag. T. Willem Mesdag's wealth derives from his work with Goldman Sachs and Red Mountain Capital Partners.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| T WILLEM MESDAG | TRUSTEE/PART-TIME | 0.1 | — |
| LISA ANN MESDAG | TRUSTEE/PART-TIME | 0.1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Mesdag Family Foundation fund?
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including: • Education & Youth • Health & Human Services • Arts & Culture • Policy • Aspen Community The Mesdags have demonstrated particular commitment to their alma maters, Northwestern and Princeton.
How do I apply for a grant from The Mesdag Family Foundation?
The foundation awarded $676,000 in grants in 2019. In the fiscal year ending March 2024, the foundation distributed $822,700 in total giving.
What size grants does The Mesdag Family Foundation award?
In 2025, The Mesdag Family Foundation awarded 46 grants totaling $810K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Mesdag Family Foundation's EIN?
The Mesdag Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3651269. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Mesdag Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.