The Swanson Foundation
The Swanson Foundation is a private foundation, based in Fargo, ND. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $830K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $505K.
The Swanson Foundation at a glance
In short: The Swanson Foundation gave $505K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $253K), mostly in North Dakota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $505,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- Average grant
- $252,500
- Median grant
- $252,500
- Total assets
- $830,450
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who The Swanson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hia Health - Hospice Healthcare ($500K).
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Swanson Foundation gives
- In 2025 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
In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $505K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hia Health - Hospice Healthcare Fargo, ND | Support Nonprofit Purpose | $500,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $5,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $830,450 | $1,697,603 | $1,840,260 | $505,000 | 2 | $1,097,050 | $9,153 |
| 2024 | $923,675 | $1,110,353 | $1,270,737 | — | — | $495,082 | $13,931 |
| 2023 | $1,156,173 | $568,055 | $1,207,586 | — | — | $486,281 | $25,221 |
| 2022 | $1,725,176 | $2,003,122 | $1,552,678 | — | — | $400 | $20,539 |
| 2021 | $1,162,021 | $1,220,869 | $59,744 | — | — | — | $399 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Swanson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Swanson Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bets Werpy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Patrick Traynor
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leland Swanson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Kraft
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: John Slama (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Swanson Foundation
How much does The Swanson Foundation give each year?
The Swanson Foundation gave $505K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Swanson Foundation?
The Swanson Foundation reported $830K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Swanson Foundation operate?
The Swanson Foundation has awarded grants in North Dakota.
What is The Swanson Foundation's EIN?
The Swanson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1901964. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work The Swanson Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Swanson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The Swanson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?