The Reser Family Foundation
The Reser Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Beaverton, Oregon, that makes charitable grants to strengthen communities, primarily in Oregon. Founded by Al and Pat Reser, it supports work in education, health, the arts, and the environment, as well as rural community and economic development through a separate initiative.
The Reser Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Reser Family Foundation gave $3.0M across 131 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in Oregon. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,050,000
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 131
- +9.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,282
- -7.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,000
- Total assets
- $84,789,905
- +16.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (50 of 125, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% 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 Reser Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit an application through the foundation’s online grant management system. The foundation’s website advises applicants to take its Eligibility Quiz if they have questions about fit with current priorities.
- Review Cycle
- The stated annual deadlines are February 1 and August 1 for Fast Track and Midsize requests, April 1 for Small Community Initiative grants, and June 1 for Next Gen Council grants. These 2026 dates have passed.
- Deadline
- The stated annual deadlines are February 1 and August 1 for Fast Track and Midsize requests, April 1 for Small…
- Contact
Application contact: Mari Jo Prlain
Mailing address: PO Box 8, Beaverton, OR 97075
Phone: (503) 526-5716
Website: https://thereserfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Reser Family Foundation
Next Gen Council Grant Program
The Reser Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Responsive Grant Programs- Fast-Track Grants
The Reser Family Foundation
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Responsive Grant Programs- Midsize Grants
The Reser Family Foundation
Amount
US $20,000 - US $60,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Reser Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Oregon State University Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
685 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 643 grants of 685 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says its mission and responsive grantmaking focus on strengthening communities throughout Oregon. Its 2024 filing reported that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon and stated that charitable activities are primarily in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 131 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Reser Family Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 50 of 125 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 79% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $2.9M (2021) to $9.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 131 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University Foundation On File, OR | OSU Foundation | $1,000,000 |
| Patricia Reser Center for the Arts On File, OR | Capacity Building | $342,000 |
| City of Mosier On File, OR | The Mosier Center | $50,000 |
| Dougy Center On File, OR | Peer Support Programs | $50,000 |
| Imbler Education Foundation On File, OR | Imbler Track Project | $50,000 |
| Lincoln City Parks and Recreation On File, OR | Community Accessible Playground | $50,000 |
| Linfield University On File, OR | Science Education Complex Support | $50,000 |
| Oregon FFA Foundation On File, OR | Statewide Leadership Program | $50,000 |
| Rose Haven CIC On File, OR | Advocacy and Mental Health Support | $40,000 |
| Medical Teams International On File, OR | Legacy Grant: 2023-2025 Care and Connect Support | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Reser Family Foundation?
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 | $84,789,905 | $9,253,337 | $2,990,382 | $3,050,000 | 131 | $3,215,767 | $3,125,181 | $4,060,327 |
| 2023 | $73,066,601 | $8,567,371 | $2,139,327 | $3,011,145 | 120 | $3,128,965 | $2,799,000 | $3,182,873 |
| 2022 | $61,083,966 | $5,836,436 | $9,437,197 | $9,367,244 | 106 | $3,148,518 | $2,126,126 | $2,993,357 |
| 2021 | $70,243,035 | $9,336,374 | $3,160,984 | $2,857,646 | 107 | $3,089,010 | $4,354,715 | $3,168,752 |
| 2020 | $60,279,079 | $5,798,273 | $3,344,493 | $3,198,636 | 221 | — | $1,552,421 | $2,611,860 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Reser Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.1M 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 foundation’s stated mission is to make charitable contributions in the arts, education, environment, and health that result in broad public benefit, primarily in Oregon. Its Fast Track and Midsize programs are guided by those four cornerstones. The Small Community Initiative focuses separately on rural Oregon community and economic development.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work its grants reach. Oregon State University Foundation says it partners with Oregon State University to engage its community and steward resources for the university. Oregon FFA Foundation says it supports educational and leadership activities for Oregon FFA and agricultural education programs. Rose Haven CIC describes its work as providing day shelter, resources, emotional support, and community connections to women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness and poverty. Oregon Parks Forever says it raises funds for programs and projects that enhance experiences in Oregon’s parks and forests.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 131 grants totaling $3,050,000. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $9,000. The largest awards included $1,000,000 to Oregon State University Foundation for “OSU FOUNDATION” and $342,000 to Patricia Reser Center for the Arts for “CAPACITY BUILDING.” Other notable grants included $50,000 each to the City of Mosier, Dougy Center, Imbler Education Foundation, Lincoln City Parks and Recreation, Linfield University, and Oregon FFA Foundation.
The Fast Track program serves requests of $15,000 or less. The Midsize program serves requests from $20,000 to $60,000 and is open to eligible organizations with operating budgets greater than $1,200,000; selected applicants have a site visit with foundation representatives. The Next Gen Council supports direct-service programs in Oregon involving mental health counseling, drug and alcohol addiction services, related crisis intervention, and after-school education mentorship. Its stated eligibility includes being a 501(c)(3) operating in Oregon for at least three years, serving a broad base of community members, tracking results, and having other committed donors. The Small Community Initiative supports community groups in rural Oregon towns working to improve quality of life and build sustainable economic activity. The foundation also describes scholarship programs accessed through counseling offices at several schools.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online grant management system. The filing lists tax-exempt status as a requirement and says charitable activities must be primarily in Oregon.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Patricia J. Reser as trustee and chair; Michelle Reser as secretary and trustee; Mindy Reser, Michael Reser, Deb Reser, Mark Reser, Laurie Reser, Marty Reser, and Jane Reser as trustees; and Paul Leavy as treasurer and trustee. The foundation’s website identifies Mari Jo Prlain as executive director.
The Reser Family Foundation is led by Marijo Prlain, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 12 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marijo Prlain
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia J. Reser
Trustee & Chair
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deb Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marty Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mindy Reser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Leavy
Treasurer & Trustee
Treasurer → Treasurer & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Reser
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Westphal
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Michelle Bottaro (2020–2022) — Secretary & Trustee
- Former: David Bottaro (2020–2021) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about The Reser Family Foundation
How much does The Reser Family Foundation give each year?
The Reser Family Foundation gave $3.0M across 131 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 120 grants.
What is The Reser Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Reser Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,000, and its average grant was $23,282, across 131 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Reser Family Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does The Reser Family Foundation give grants?
The Reser Family Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were On File, OR (131 grants).
Does The Reser Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Reser Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 131) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Angel Gift" (12 grants), "Scholarship" (11 grants) and "NGC Grant 2024" (5 grants).
Who are The Reser Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Reser Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Oregon State University Foundation ($1,000,000), Patricia Reser Center for the Arts ($342,000) and City of Mosier ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Reser Family Foundation?
The Reser Family Foundation reported $84.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Reser Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to make charitable contributions in the arts, education, environment, and health that result in broad public benefit, primarily in Oregon. Its Fast Track and Midsize programs are guided by those four cornerstones. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Reser Family Foundation?
Submit an application through the foundation’s online grant management system. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Reser Family Foundation's EIN?
The Reser Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2624875. 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Reser Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Reser Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-reser-family-foundation-morg_e71619949da24c919aa99ea235146612
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272624875_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Reser Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-reser-family-foundation-morg_e71619949da24c919aa99ea235146612},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Reser Family 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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