The Next Edison
The Next Edison is a private foundation, based in Long Lake, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $382K. Net investment income was $33K.
The Next Edison at a glance
In short: The Next Edison gave $382K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $381,529
- +51.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $47,691
- +70.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,011
- Total assets
- $3,045,001
- -6.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Next Edison funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Univ of MN Foundation ($300K). Together the top 8 received $382K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 51 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Next Edison gives
- Giving grew 95% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 293% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $186K (2020) to $382K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $382K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Univ of MN Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Scholarship/Tuition | $300,000 |
| Wolf Ridge ENV Learning Ctr Finland, MN | Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Catholic Services Appeal St. Paul, MN | Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Minneapolis Nature Preschool Minneapolis, MN | Charitable Donation | $15,000 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Scholarship/Tuition | $9,021 |
| Ascension Catholic School Minneapolis, MN | Charitable Donation | $5,000 |
| North Memorial Hospital Robbinsdale, MN | Emergency Support - Medical | $1,508 |
| Dollars for Deb New Prague, MN | Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
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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 | $3,045,001 | $192,995 | $417,253 | $381,529 | 8 | $381,529 | $33,103 | $130,015 |
| 2023 | $3,270,238 | $62,234 | $285,548 | $252,241 | 9 | $252,241 | $28,294 | $140,909 |
| 2022 | $3,483,552 | $65,034 | $227,042 | $190,607 | 4 | $190,607 | $4,092 | $149,817 |
| 2021 | $3,645,560 | $25,309 | $227,708 | $195,260 | 12 | $195,578 | — | $176,469 |
| 2020 | $3,847,959 | $62,040 | $203,715 | $186,012 | 18 | — | $49,715 | $185,735 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Next Edison reported a distributable amount of $130K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Next Edison's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrew M. O'Brien
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lori L. Meehan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Next Edison
How much does The Next Edison give each year?
The Next Edison gave $382K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $252K across 9 grants.
What is The Next Edison's typical grant size?
The Next Edison's median grant in 2024 was $12,011, and its average grant was $47,691, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Next Edison give grants?
The Next Edison gives mostly in Minnesota: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (3 grants).
Does The Next Edison give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Next Edison's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Donation" (5 grants).
Who are The Next Edison's largest grantees?
The Next Edison's largest 2024 grantees include Univ of MN Foundation ($300,000), Wolf Ridge ENV Learning Ctr ($25,000) and Catholic Services Appeal ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Next Edison?
The Next Edison reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $382K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $130K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Next Edison's EIN?
The Next Edison's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-6422405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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