The Star Foundation
The Star Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chanhassen, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $38K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $9K.
The Star Foundation at a glance
In short: The Star Foundation gave $9K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,000
- +1700.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +500.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,500
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $38,343
- -28.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (89% 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 Star Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was NMDP Foundation ($4K). Together the top 6 received $9K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 13 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Star Foundation gives
- Giving grew 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 527% 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 $500 (2023) to $16K (2022). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $9K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NMDP Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Charitable Donation | $4,200 |
| Matterbox Madness St Louis Park, MN | Charitable Donation | $1,500 |
| Project Success Minneapolis, MN | Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Jack Links Aquatic & Activity Center Minong, WI | Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Kristy Burkel Chanhassen, MN | Charitable Donation | $800 |
| Kowalski's 4 Kids Woodbury, MN | Charitable Donation | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Star Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,343 | $77,050 | $92,177 | $9,000 | 6 | $11,905 | $2,261 |
| 2023 | $53,470 | $112,558 | $67,444 | $500 | 1 | $500 | $1,338 |
| 2022 | $8,356 | $63,750 | $71,588 | $16,425 | 3 | $16,425 | $420 |
| 2021 | $16,194 | $52,500 | $37,319 | $5,000 | 1 | $37,319 | $424 |
| 2020 | $1,013 | — | $11,741 | $6,000 | 2 | — | $339 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Star Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Star Foundation is led by Paul Taunton, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul Taunton
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Taunton
Vice President
On filings since 2020
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 Star Foundation
How much does The Star Foundation give each year?
The Star Foundation gave $9K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $500 across 1 grant.
What is The Star Foundation's typical grant size?
The Star Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,500, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Star Foundation give grants?
The Star Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (2 grants).
Does The Star Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Star Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Donation" (6 grants).
Who are The Star Foundation's largest grantees?
The Star Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include NMDP Foundation ($4,200), Matterbox Madness ($1,500) and Project Success ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Star Foundation?
The Star Foundation reported $38K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Star Foundation's EIN?
The Star Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5330274. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Star Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Adam R Scripps Foundation
Ft Mitchell, KY
The Adam R Scripps Foundation funds science and STEM education, housing, health, scholarships, and community and cultural projects, with grants across multiple states, especially Texas and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$754.6M
Grants
281
Total Given
$35.5M
Minnesota Twins Community Fund
Minneapolis, MN
The fund supports children and families through youth baseball and softball, including coaching, equipment, facilities, and programs for underserved young people, primarily in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, with some support in Southwest Florida. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,051 to $180,000, with a median of $8,000; some program grants have set ranges, such as $1,000–$15,000 for Fields for Kids and $5,000–$100,000 for Hennepin County facilities. It accepts applications through online program applications, though availability and eligibility vary by program.
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
83
Total Given
$1.5M
Lenfestey Family Foundation Inc
Green Bay, WI
The foundation’s grants span arts and culture, environmental and climate work, community foundations, and humanitarian relief, with recent giving concentrated in Minnesota and also reaching Michigan, Washington, DC, and other states. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a $2,000 median. The filing says it has no standard application process and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
74
Total Given
$217K
Harold & Dorothy Madson Foundation
Omaha, NE
The foundation supports qualified charitable organizations addressing human needs, including work related to hunger, homelessness, youth, and learning, primarily in North Dakota and Minnesota. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts unsolicited requests; no deadline is stated.
Assets
$700K
Grants
30
Total Given
$295K
Stanley M & Luella G Goldberg
Minneapolis, MN
The Stanley M & Luella G Goldberg Foundation supports education, arts and culture, health, and community organizations, with most of its giving in Minnesota and some grants elsewhere. In 2025, grants ranged from $360 to $10,000, with a median of $1,300. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$566K
Grants
9
Total Given
$22K
The Carl Marks Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
The foundation supports health care and medical research, humanitarian response, children’s programs, and vision care. In 2025, it made 31 grants of $1,000 to $122,130, with a median of $9,000; recipients were mainly in Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, and California. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$18.8M
Grants
31
Total Given
$680K
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Star 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.
The Star Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?