The Traverse Foundation
The Traverse Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $808K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $403K. Net investment income was $180K.
The Traverse Foundation at a glance
In short: The Traverse Foundation gave $403K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $81K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $402,565
- -45.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $80,513
- -45.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $807,606
- -22.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Traverse Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lucille Packard Foundation ($165K). Together the top 5 received $403K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 32 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Traverse Foundation gives
- Giving grew 125% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 450% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $179K (2022) to $741K (2024). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $403K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lucille Packard Foundation Palo Alto, CA | Surgery anxiety reduction | $164,834 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Mental Health Program | $100,000 |
| Invincikids San Bruno, CA | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
| Bhutan Foundation Washington, DC | Special needs program initiation | $62,000 |
| Sumaritan House San Mateo, CA | Christmas toys | $731 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $807,606 | $185,985 | $425,282 | $402,565 | 5 | $402,590 | $179,525 | $89,445 |
| 2024 | $1,047,054 | $1,102,648 | $751,556 | $741,175 | 5 | $741,200 | $696,388 | $85,415 |
| 2023 | $1,076,099 | $413,814 | $630,832 | $621,575 | 8 | $621,600 | $224,943 | $117,556 |
| 2022 | $1,452,170 | $414,954 | $190,631 | $178,760 | 6 | $178,785 | $223,710 | $87,140 |
| 2021 | $1,401,213 | $358,789 | $235,277 | $224,500 | 8 | $224,525 | $213,329 | $95,666 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Traverse Foundation reported a distributable amount of $89K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Traverse Foundation is led by Norman W Harris III, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Norman W Harris III
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blake C Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie T Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda B Harris
Sec'tary & Director
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norman W Harris IV
Director
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Traverse Foundation
How much does The Traverse Foundation give each year?
The Traverse Foundation gave $403K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $741K across 5 grants.
What is The Traverse Foundation's typical grant size?
The Traverse Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $75,000, and its average grant was $80,513, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Traverse Foundation give grants?
The Traverse Foundation gives mostly in California: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (25%) and District of Columbia (15%).
Does The Traverse Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of The Traverse Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Traverse Foundation's largest grantees?
The Traverse Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lucille Packard Foundation ($164,834), Yale University ($100,000) and Invincikids ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Traverse Foundation?
The Traverse Foundation reported $808K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $403K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $89K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Traverse Foundation's EIN?
The Traverse Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1734297. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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