The Olseth Foundation
The Olseth Foundation, also known as the Olseth Family Foundation, is a private foundation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Established in 1998, it operates as a family foundation guided by the principle of "giving back," a value instilled by the foundation's parents, Dale and Nancy Olseth. The foundation supports organizations across four primary sectors: Arts, Education, Environment, and services to the Underserved.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$897K
-1.2% YoY
Grant Count
45
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-1.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on "Promoting Love for Our Communities and the World in Which We Live" and "Undertaking Initiatives for the Common Good." The organization has identified five specific initiatives to maximize philanthropic impact:
- Plant & Animal Species Conservation — Safeguarding ecosystems through species diversity
- Environmental Initiatives — Dedicated to preserving the natural world
- Community Initiatives — Strengthening communities through programs that matter
- Arts Initiatives — Enriching lives by ensuring vibrant arts are available to all
- Education Initiatives — Helping provide a well-rounded world view through enhanced educational experiences
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with particular emphasis in Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 58 grants in 2024, with total giving of $896,500. Grant sizes typically range from $3,000 to $110,000.
Grant Range
s typically range from $3,000 to $110,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $18,501,055
- Total Giving: $896,500
- Total Revenues: $1,099,158
- Total Expenses: $1,635,075
- Investment Income and Dividends: $694,304
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
237 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include World Wildlife Fund Inc (wwf) ($110,000), Recharge America Inc ($90,000), St Olaf College ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES FOUNDATION OF OREGON INC PORTLAND, OR | OPERATING | $5,000 |
| CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE FOUNDATION BRAINERD, MN | POETRY EVENT CALLED VERSE LIKE WATER | $5,000 |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA MANKATO, MN | OPERATING | $10,000 |
| COMMITTEE AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE INC (CADA) MANKATO, MN | OPERATING | $15,000 |
| EMERGENCY COMMUNITY HELP ORGANIZATION ECHO MANKATO, MN | OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FEEDING OUR COMMUNITIES PARTNERS MANKATO, MN | BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FOUNDATION DURANGO, CO | OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FREE GEEK PORTLAND, OR | OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FRESH ENERGY ST PAUL, MN | OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FRIENDS OF SATURDAY ACADEMY PORTLAND, OR | SCHOOL RESIDENCY CLASSES | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is directed by Cheryl Olseth, Jon Olseth, and Karen Solomon. The organization has three employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN L SOLOMON | TREASURER | 20 | $107,951 |
| JON P OLSETH | VICE-PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 20 | $107,951 |
| CHERYL A OLSETH | PRESIDENT | 20 | $107,951 |
| MARGARET CRONIN | ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER | 3.6 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in community engagement, including a partnership with United Way to distribute poetry books to fourth-graders in the Mankato area as part of an ongoing tradition.
Tradition continues: United Way, Olseth Family Foundation deliver poetryThe foundation has provided significant support to St. Olaf College, including scholarship funds for students studying abroad and contributions to the college's music hall.
Olseth Family Foundation aids Oles studying abroad \u2013 St. Olaf CollegeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Olseth Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on "Promoting Love for Our Communities and the World in Which We Live" and "Undertaking Initiatives for the Common Good." The organization has identified five specific initiatives to maximize philanthropic impact: • **Plant & Animal Species Conservation** — Safeguarding ecosystems through species diversity • **Environmental Initiatives** — Dedicated to preserving the natural world • **Community Initiatives** — Strengthening communities through programs that matt…
How do I apply for a grant from The Olseth Foundation?
The foundation made 58 grants in 2024, with total giving of $896,500. Grant sizes typically range from $3,000 to $110,000. Recent grants include: • World Wildlife Fund (WWF): $110,000 (Operating expenses and Northern Great Plains Conservation) • Recharge America: $90,000 • St. Olaf College: $60,000 (Scholarship Fund) The foundation funds operating expenses, scholarships, theater programs, and community-focused initiatives. Organizations interested in grant consideration should submit materials …
Where does The Olseth Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
What size grants does The Olseth Foundation award?
In 2024, The Olseth Foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $897K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Olseth Foundation's EIN?
The Olseth Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1875950. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Olseth Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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