Trustone Financial Foundation
Trustone Financial Foundation is a private foundation based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Established by TruStone Financial in 2009, it describes its purpose as helping members and local communities through financial education. Its activities include scholarships, financial-literacy programs, and donations to nonprofit organizations.
Trustone Financial Foundation at a glance
In short: Trustone Financial Foundation gave $208K across 61 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Minnesota. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $207,921
- -0.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 61
- +1.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,409
- -2.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $590,479
- -19.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (16 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (72% 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 Trustone Financial Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Review Cycle
- Requests submitted during a quarter are evaluated in the following quarterly review cycle.
- Deadline
- Requests submitted during a quarter are evaluated in the following quarterly review cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 14601 27Th Ave N 104, Plymouth, MN 55447
Phone: (763) 544-1517
Website: https://trustonefinancial.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Trustone Financial Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was MSHSL Sports ($40K). Together the top 10 received $106K.
Organizations only. It also paid 19 individual scholarships ($35,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
243 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 243 grants of 243 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s website describes its community and scholarship programs as serving Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 2024, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 15% to recipients in Wisconsin. The remaining reported shares went to California (4%), New York (1%), and Texas (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 61 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Trustone Financial Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 42 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 109% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 629% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $100K (2021) to $209K (2023). In 2024 it made 61 grants totaling $208K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MSHSL Sports Brooklyn Center, MN | General Support | $40,000 |
| Bolder Options Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $10,000 |
| Highland Friendship Club St. Paul, MN | General Support | $10,000 |
| Sanneh Foundation St. Paul, MN | General Support | $10,000 |
| The Trevor Project West Hollywood, CA | General Support | $9,240 |
| Tee It up for the Troops Burnsville, MN | General Support | $7,000 |
| 360 Communities Burnsville, MN | General Support | $5,000 |
| Asset Builders Madison, WI | General Support | $5,000 |
| Burnsville Heros Brooklyn Center, MN | General Support | $5,000 |
| Junior Achievement North St. Paul, MN | General Support | $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 | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $590,479 | $81,831 | $223,784 | $207,921 | 61 | $211,579 | $20,867 | $33,640 |
| 2023 | $732,432 | $71,808 | $229,046 | $208,586 | 60 | $213,121 | $16,682 | $41,427 |
| 2022 | $889,670 | $108,027 | $191,752 | $175,994 | 50 | $188,475 | $6,252 | $47,967 |
| 2021 | $973,395 | $32,896 | $99,764 | $99,722 | 30 | $99,764 | $7,083 | $50,832 |
| 2020 | $1,040,261 | $1,029,719 | $159,138 | $159,068 | 42 | — | $1,622 | $9,473 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Trustone Financial Foundation reported a distributable amount of $34K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it is dedicated to promoting financial education and literacy in its communities. Its stated funding priorities for donations include education, financial literacy, human services, health, and housing. Its programs also include scholarships for high school students and adults; these are described as scholarships for individuals, not grants to outside organizations.
Examples of organizations receiving grants in 2024 illustrate the range of supported work. Bolder Options says its mission is “preparing youth to succeed in all of life's races,” while Junior Achievement North says it aims “to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.” Highland Friendship Club describes its work as creating opportunities for teens and young adults of all abilities to make connections, explore interests, and build independence. Tee It Up for the Troops says it supports U.S. military members and their families, with emphasis on fallen and disabled service members. 360 Communities says it delivers safety and stability to improve lives.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 61 grants totaling $207,921. Grants ranged from $500 to $40,000, with a median of $2,000. The largest listed grant was $40,000 to MSHSL Sports for general support. Other notable awards included $10,000 each to Bolder Options, Highland Friendship Club, and the Sanneh Foundation; $9,240 to The Trevor Project; and $7,000 to Tee It Up for the Troops.
The Foundation’s website describes quarterly donation-request reviews in January, April, July, and October. It says applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, provide the previous year’s financials, serve locally, and align with Foundation priorities. It also states that organizations must serve communities within TruStone Financial Credit Union’s operational areas, with priority for work directly affecting communities where members and employees live and work. The Foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Samuel Stern as chairman. Directors are Willie Robinson Jr, Steve Steen, Stephen Bohlig, Jim Stahlmann, and Janine Jackson. Daniel Zaczkowski is listed as director/treasurer, and Karen Greisinger as director/secretary. The Foundation’s website describes its board as volunteer and elected by its peers.
Trustone Financial Foundation is led by Samuel Stern, Chairman on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samuel Stern
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Zaczkowski
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Stahlmann
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Greisinger
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Bohlig
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Steen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Willie Robinson Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janine Jackson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Pamela Baker (2020) — Director
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 Trustone Financial Foundation
How much does Trustone Financial Foundation give each year?
Trustone Financial Foundation gave $208K across 61 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $209K across 60 grants.
What is Trustone Financial Foundation's typical grant size?
Trustone Financial Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $3,409, across 61 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Trustone Financial Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Trustone Financial Foundation give grants?
Trustone Financial Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Paul, MN (8 grants), Minneapolis, MN (6 grants), Kenosha, WI (4 grants) and Brooklyn Center, MN (3 grants).
Does Trustone Financial Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 69% of Trustone Financial Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (42 of 61) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (19 grants).
Who are Trustone Financial Foundation's largest grantees?
Trustone Financial Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include MSHSL Sports ($40,000), Bolder Options ($10,000) and Highland Friendship Club ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 19 individual scholarships ($35,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Trustone Financial Foundation?
Trustone Financial Foundation reported $590K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $212K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $34K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Trustone Financial Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it is dedicated to promoting financial education and literacy in its communities. Its stated funding priorities for donations include education, financial literacy, human services, health, and housing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Trustone Financial Foundation?
Trustone Financial Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check trustonefinancial.org for any change to that policy.
What is Trustone Financial Foundation's EIN?
Trustone Financial Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0560908. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Trustone Financial Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Trustone Financial Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/trustone-financial-foundation-morg_69aff7031d8b451ea154d5c5c5661d29
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_300560908_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Trustone Financial Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/trustone-financial-foundation-morg_69aff7031d8b451ea154d5c5c5661d29},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Trustone Financial 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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