Thief River Falls Education Foundation
The Thief River Falls Education Foundation is a public charity based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It supports educational opportunities in School District #564 through scholarships for students pursuing education after high school and grants that help faculty and staff enrich existing programs and develop new curriculum approaches.
Thief River Falls Education Foundation at a glance
In short: Thief River Falls Education Foundation reported $280K in grants paid in 2025 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2025)
- $279,504 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- +15.4% vs 2024
- Total assets
- $3,001,917
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $509,316
- +20.4% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $222,603
- +94.6% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $522,077
- +19.1% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Thief River Falls Education Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 230 South Labree Avenue, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: (218) 681-8711
Website: https://trfeducationfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thief River Falls Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 4 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated mission and programs serve School District #564. It is based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Thief River Falls Education Foundation gives
- Giving grew 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $195K (2021) to $280K (2025). In 2025 it reported $280K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| School District 564 Thief River Falls, MN | Educational Enhancement | $242,198 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,001,917 | $509,316 | $522,077 | $279,504 | Total only | $222,603 |
| 2024 | $2,895,459 | $423,180 | $438,280 | $242,198 | 1 | $114,417 |
| 2023 | $2,698,531 | $448,855 | $481,746 | $271,693 | 1 | $102,327 |
| 2022 | $2,647,580 | $431,242 | $430,753 | $220,555 | 1 | $145,404 |
| 2021 | $3,093,063 | $331,991 | $372,722 | $194,515 | 1 | $127,884 |
| 2020 | $2,709,840 | $245,801 | $374,951 | $207,274 | 1 | $77,751 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to promote innovative educational opportunities in School District #564 through partnerships involving alumni, parents, educators, businesses, and the greater community.
Its programs include scholarships for high school students pursuing education after high school and grants to faculty and staff, awarded twice a year, to strengthen educational programs and curriculum. The Foundation’s approved-grants list includes classroom equipment, learning materials, and program-related items.
Grantmaking
IRS filing data reports one grant totaling $242,198 in 2024 and one grant totaling $271,693 in 2023. The 2025 filing reports no grants. These figures refer to grants given; the Foundation’s scholarships are a separate program.
The Foundation says faculty and staff grants are given twice a year. Its website provides a grant application page, but the available information does not specify application steps, required materials, restrictions, or a deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Paul Ihle as president, Holly Haugen as vice president, and Dave Onkka as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed on that filing are Pauline Gustafson, Al Buhl, Mike Barry, Shane Zutz, Darla Hegge, Jake Rantanen, and Denice Nelson. The Foundation’s website identifies Natasha Reierson as executive director and Abby Thorpe as executive assistant.
Thief River Falls Education Foundation is led by Paul Ihle, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Paul Ihle
President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Natasha Reierson
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Al Buhl
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darla Hegge
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jake Rantanen
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Barry
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pauline Gustafson
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shane Zutz
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denice Nelson
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Onkka
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Holly Haugen
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Leeann Lund (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Steve Olson (2020–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Tom Kenville (2020–2021) — Director
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 Thief River Falls Education Foundation
How much does Thief River Falls Education Foundation give each year?
Thief River Falls Education Foundation reported $280K in grants paid in 2025 on its 2025 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2024 it gave $242K across 1 grant.
How large is Thief River Falls Education Foundation?
Thief River Falls Education Foundation reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $509K.
What does Thief River Falls Education Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to promote innovative educational opportunities in School District #564 through partnerships involving alumni, parents, educators, businesses, and the greater community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thief River Falls Education Foundation?
Thief River Falls Education Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check trfeducationfoundation.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Thief River Falls Education Foundation make grants?
The Foundation’s stated mission and programs serve School District #564. It is based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
What is Thief River Falls Education Foundation's EIN?
Thief River Falls Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1680500. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 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 Thief River Falls Education Foundation funds
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Thief River Falls Education Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?