Western Sugar Company Grower Resear
Study and research the raising and production of sugar beets including seed testing, variety testing, testing for resistance to disease and for irrigation practices for the benefit of sugar beet growers and for consumers.
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear at a glance
In short: Western Sugar Company Grower Resear gave $855K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $107K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $855,099
- +84.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +60.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $106,887
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $33,220
- Total assets
- $1,174,384
- -23.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Western Sugar Company Grower Resear funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Western Sugar Cooperative ($562K). Together the top 8 received $855K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 31 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Western Sugar Company Grower Resear gives
- Giving grew 205% 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $198K (2019) to $855K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $855K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Western Sugar Cooperative Denver, CO | Crop Research | $562,340 |
| Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO | Crop Research | $131,937 |
| University of Nebraska at Lincoln Lincoln, NE | Crop Research | $61,350 |
| Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | Crop Research | $33,940 |
| University of Wyoming Laramine, WY | Crop Research | $32,500 |
| North Dakota State University Fargo, ND | Crop Research | $20,000 |
| Beet Sugar Development Foundation Denver, CO | Crop Research | $7,352 |
| Nebraska Crop Improvement Assoc Lincoln, NE | Crop Research | $5,680 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,174,384 | $724,761 | $1,077,072 | $855,099 | 8 | $77,204 |
| 2023 | $1,526,695 | $844,186 | $624,896 | $463,192 | 5 | $19,868 |
| 2022 | $1,307,405 | $458,984 | $492,847 | $315,845 | 6 | $1,789 |
| 2021 | $1,341,268 | $52,941 | $404,792 | $280,328 | 6 | $2,135 |
| 2020 | $1,693,119 | $1,103,494 | $401,956 | $259,600 | 6 | $5,271 |
| 2019 | $991,581 | $485,796 | $356,104 | $198,150 | 7 | $4,538 |
About Western Sugar Company Grower Resear
Based on IRS filings
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear is a public charity, based in Scottsbluff, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $855K. Net investment income was $77K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear is led by Brent Icopini, Co-Chairman & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 23 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brent Icopini
Co-Chairman & Director
Director → Co-Chairman & Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Spencer
Co-Chairman
Alternate Di & Ne Alternate → Alternate Di, 2022
Alternate Di → Co-Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Pabst
Director
Co-Chairman → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Darnell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelby Dorn
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Spencer
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall Jobman
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve McClung
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Nuss
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wade Wimmer
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Criag Volmer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue Inness
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alvin Whitman
Alternate Di
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Steiger
Alternate Di
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lyle Evelo
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Bjornestad
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Krum
Alternate Di
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kent Green
Alternate Di
Ne Alternate → Alternate Di, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Brewer
Alternate Di
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Dorn
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cory Shuble
Alternate Di
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Uffelman
Alternate Di
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Webber
Alternate Di
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Mike Otto (2019–2023) — Co-Chairman
- Former: Stewart Norrish (2019–2023) — Alternate Di
- Former: Susan Inness (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Warnar Schaneman (2019–2023) — Alternate Di
- Former: Kreg Vollmer (2021–2023) — Alternate Di
- Former: Chris Needens (2019–2022) — Alternate Di
- Former: Joel Schaefer (2019–2022) — Treasurer -
- Former: Terry McClurg (2019–2022) — Alternate Di
- Former: Tim Frank (2021–2022) — Co Alternate
- Former: Brandon Hessenthaler (2022) — Wy Alternate
- Former: Les Watade (2019–2020) — Alternate Di
- Former: Ron Walter (2019–2020) — Alternate Di
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Western Sugar Company Grower Resear
How much does Western Sugar Company Grower Resear give each year?
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear gave $855K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $463K across 5 grants.
What is Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's typical grant size?
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's median grant in 2024 was $33,220, and its average grant was $106,887, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Western Sugar Company Grower Resear give grants?
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear gives mostly in Colorado: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nebraska (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (2 grants) and Lincoln, NE (2 grants).
Does Western Sugar Company Grower Resear give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Crop Research" (8 grants).
Who are Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's largest grantees?
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's largest 2024 grantees include Western Sugar Cooperative ($562,340), Colorado State University ($131,937) and University of Nebraska at Lincoln ($61,350), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Western Sugar Company Grower Resear?
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $725K.
What is Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's EIN?
Western Sugar Company Grower Resear's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3367786. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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