The Polaris Foundation
The Polaris Foundation is a private foundation, based in Medina, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025.
The Polaris Foundation at a glance
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Polaris Foundation
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Polaris Foundation
Who The Polaris Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How The Polaris Foundation gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $938K (2020). In 2021 it made 1 grant totaling $15K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys Girls Club Saint Paul, MN | Education | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | — | $15,350 | $15,000 | 1 | $15,000 | $467 |
| 2020 | $15,350 | $50,000 | $938,266 | $937,782 | 28 | — | $3,101 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Polaris Foundation is led by Lucy Clark Dougherty, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lucy Clark Dougherty
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Speetzen
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robert Mack
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ben Duke
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Michael Dougherty
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Steve Eastman
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Steve Menneto
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Jennifer Carbert (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Kenneth Pucel (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Scott Sender (2020–2022) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Polaris Foundation
Where does The Polaris Foundation operate?
The Polaris Foundation has awarded grants in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.
What is The Polaris Foundation's EIN?
The Polaris Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1828276. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Polaris Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Polaris Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Polaris Foundation'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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