The Musser Fund
The Musser Fund is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established by the estate of Laura Jane Musser of Little Falls, Minnesota, it continues the philanthropy she practiced during her lifetime and supports initiatives in rural communities, the environment, intercultural harmony, arts, and Little Falls and Morrison County.
The Musser Fund at a glance
In short: The Musser Fund gave $905K across 90 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), top state Minnesota. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $905,050
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 90
- +13.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,056
- -18.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $17,871,650
- +3.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (37 of 90, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (37% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Musser Fund
- How to Apply
-
The fund’s website directs applicants to the relevant initiative guidelines and online proposal process. Its 2024 filing lists U.S. Bank as the application contact and says to submit a letter with a copy of the applicant’s exemption attached. The filing lists no application deadline and no award restrictions. The website states that applications must be complete when submitted and that final reports are required.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists October 1, 2026 for the Rural Initiative and October 8, 2026 for the Environmental Initiative. It lists June 10, 2027 for the Rural Arts Initiative and June 17, 2027 for both the Intercultural Harmony and Little Falls initiatives. Online proposals are accepted starting one month before each listed deadline.
- Deadline
- The website lists October 1, 2026 for the Rural Initiative and October 8, 2026 for the Environmental Initiative.
- Next open deadline
- June 17, 2027 (Intercultural Harmony Initiative Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: U S Bank
Mailing address: 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: (651) 466-8710
Website: https://musserfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from The Musser Fund
Environmental Initiative- Planning Grants
The Musser Fund
Amount
Up to US $8,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Intercultural Harmony Initiative Grant
The Musser Fund
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Expected ~June
Based on past cycles
Little Falls/Morrison County Grant
The Musser Fund
Amount
Up to US $30,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Musser Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was North Shore Community Land Trust ($35K). Together the top 10 received $275K.
Grant Size Distribution
452 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 452 grants of 452 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website’s Rural, Environmental, and Intercultural Harmony initiative pages limit eligibility to Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Wyoming, and specified counties in North Carolina. The Rural Initiative also requires the applicant community to have a population of 10,000 or less and demonstrate rural characteristics. The fund’s Little Falls Initiative supports nonprofit organizations in Little Falls and Morrison County, Minnesota.
In 2024, Minnesota received 37% of grant dollars, Colorado 17%, Hawaii 16%, Texas 10%, and New York 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 90 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Musser Fund open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 37 of 90 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 106% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $669K (2020) to $1.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 90 grants totaling $905K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Shore Community Land Trust Haleiwa, HI | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Texas Conservation Alliance Dallas, TX | General Operating | $34,800 |
| Friends of the Mississippi River Saint Paul, MN | General Operating | $30,000 |
| Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike Hana, HI | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Friends of Finland Finland, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Yampa Valley Stream Improvement Charitab Steamboat Springs, CO | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Iraqi and American Reconciliation Projec Minneapolis, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Move for America St. Paul, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
| New Hope for Immigrants East Grand Forks, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Red Wing Art Association Red Wing, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Musser Fund?
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 | $17,871,650 | $1,900,070 | $1,410,663 | $905,050 | 90 | $1,191,712 | $1,675,311 | $1,125,572 |
| 2023 | $17,358,510 | $1,206,548 | $1,495,377 | $972,852 | 79 | $1,246,039 | $967,651 | $1,054,183 |
| 2022 | $17,399,181 | $2,414,643 | $1,418,208 | $1,039,438 | 102 | $1,237,250 | $2,248,219 | $1,087,337 |
| 2021 | $16,688,771 | $1,465,537 | $1,157,179 | $720,416 | 89 | $924,481 | $1,236,674 | $1,247,549 |
| 2020 | $16,381,274 | $736,503 | $1,066,850 | $669,025 | 92 | — | $541,911 | $1,003,911 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Musser Fund reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund’s stated purpose is to continue Laura Jane Musser’s personal philanthropy. Its initiatives support collaborative rural community projects; projects that protect, restore, or enhance the ecological integrity of public open spaces; cross-cultural exchange; nonprofit arts organizations; and nonprofit organizations in Little Falls and Morrison County, Minnesota.
The 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The North Shore Community Land describes its mission as natural resource conservation and protection. Texas Conservation Alliance says it educates Texans and builds alliances to sustain wildlife habitat and protect land, air, and water. Friends of the Mississippi River says it engages people to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. Other grantees include Move for America, which works to strengthen American democracy by preparing leaders to bridge divides; Project FINE, which serves refugees and immigrants and builds connections across cultures; and Red Wing Arts Association, whose mission is to build a vibrant community through shared art experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the fund reported 90 grants totaling $905,050. Awards ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $35,000 to North Shore Community Land Trust in Hawaii, $34,800 to Texas Conservation Alliance, and $30,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River. Other $25,000 awards went to Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike, Friends of Finland, Yampa Valley Stream Improvement, Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project, Move for America, New Hope for Immigrants, Red Wing Art Association, Roshni, and Project FINE. The filing listed each of these awards as general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sophia Walker, Jane Taylor, Hilery Lindmier, Suzanne Duke, Sarah Gadd, William Bullock Jr., Sabrina Watkins, and Annie Briggs as directors. U.S. Bank NA is listed as trustee.
The Musser Fund's 2024 filing lists 9 officers; all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Hilery Lindmier
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Sarah Gadd
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Sophia Walker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Suzanne Duke
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $10K (2024)
William Bullock Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Annie Briggs
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $10K (2024)
US Bank NA
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$207K (2023) → $168K (2024)
Jane Taylor
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Sabrina Watkins
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: James Kahea Thronas (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Roger Kilgore (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lisa Walker Duke (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: US Bank N A (2020–2022) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $168K, to US Bank NA (Trustee). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Musser Fund
How much does The Musser Fund give each year?
The Musser Fund gave $905K across 90 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $973K across 79 grants.
What is The Musser Fund's typical grant size?
The Musser Fund's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,056, across 90 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Musser Fund that year got $10K on average.
Where does The Musser Fund give grants?
The Musser Fund's top state is Minnesota, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Colorado (17%) and Hawaii (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Little Falls, MN (8 grants), Denver, CO (7 grants), Kamuela, HI (5 grants) and Cheyenne, WY (5 grants).
Does The Musser Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Musser Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (90 of 90) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Musser Fund's largest grantees?
The Musser Fund's largest 2024 grantees include North Shore Community Land Trust ($35,000), Texas Conservation Alliance ($34,800) and Friends of the Mississippi River ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Musser Fund?
The Musser Fund reported $17.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Musser Fund fund?
The fund’s stated purpose is to continue Laura Jane Musser’s personal philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Musser Fund?
The fund’s website directs applicants to the relevant initiative guidelines and online proposal process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Musser Fund's EIN?
The Musser Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6334475. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Musser Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Musser Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-musser-fund-morg_9a80bdb7653d4ffdafbf31c7bdd06a38
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_416334475_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Musser Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-musser-fund-morg_9a80bdb7653d4ffdafbf31c7bdd06a38},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Musser Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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