Bentson Foundation
Wayzata, MN · EIN 41-6020204. Reported 203 grants totalling $27.5M to 135 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Bentson Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $15,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $7,500 and $50,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $3,066,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota - Pell Challenge Grant | Minneapolis, MN | $3,747,400 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $3,116,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| University of Minnesota School of Nursing | Minneapolis, MN | $3,000,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Allina Health | Minneapolis, MN | $2,500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Children's Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $1,500,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of Minnesota - Cehd | Minneapolis, MN | $1,250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| U of M - Community-University Health Care Center | Minneapolis, MN | $1,000,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Regions Hospital Foundation | St Paul, MN | $922,298 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| University of Wisc Foundation - Dept of Oncology | Madison, WI | $900,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Prodeo Academy | Minneapolis, MN | $815,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| People Inc | Eagan, MN | $800,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Second Harvest Heartland | Brooklyn Park, MN | $800,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hope Academy | Minneapolis, MN | $675,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of Minnesota - Cidrap | Minneapolis, MN | $600,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Walker Art Center | Minneapolis, MN | $447,900 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| U of M Pell Grant Challenge | Minneapolis, MN | $405,328 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lobero Theatre | Santa Barbara, CA | $350,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| U of M - Cidrap (infectious Disease Research) | Minneapolis, MN | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Touchstone Mental Health | Minneapolis, MN | $278,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| NAMI Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Mn - President's Emerging Scholars | Minneapolis, MN | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| UC Santa Barbara Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | $210,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Family Tree Clinic | Minneapolis, MN | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Winona State University Foundation | Winona, MN | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fraser | Minneapolis, MN | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | $135,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Planned Parenthood | Minneapolis, MN | $130,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Augustana University | Sioux Falls, SD | $125,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Augsburg Fostering Graduate Scholarships | Minneapolis, MN | $120,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Friends of Education | Minneapolis, MN | $102,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cottage Hospital | Santa Barbara, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Direct Relief | Santa Barbara, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Restore Rebuild Reimagine Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Washburn Center for Children | Minneapolis, MN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hope Farm School | Minneapolis, MN | $95,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Guild | St Paul, MN | $95,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Avivo | Minneapolis, MN | $80,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Notes for Notes | Santa Barbara, CA | $70,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | Santa Barbara, CA | $65,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Anishinabe Legal Services | Cass Lake, MN | $55,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Wwoz New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | Duluth, MN | $52,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Foodbank of Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Guild Services | St Paul, MN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity | Minneapolis, MN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Illuminate the Arts | San Francisco, CA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity | St Paul, MN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| International Rescue Committee | New York, NY | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Mn Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Upmc Children's Hospital of Pittburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | $32,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Alpena Community College | Alpena, MI | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cafe Reconcile | New Orleans, LA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Catholic Charities | Minneapolis, MN | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nocca Institute | New Orleans, LA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Cuchcc - Planningcommunity Needs Assessment | Minneapolis, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Living Well Disability Services | Mendota Heights, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | Minneapolis, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New Orleans Musician's Clinic and Assistance Fund | New Orleans, LA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Old Spanish Days | Santa Barbara, CA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| St Anthony Park Lutheran Church | St Paul, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Frontline Families (spf) | Saint Paul, MN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | Minneapolis, MN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| People Serving People | Minneapolis, MN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Mn - Cfans | Minneapolis, MN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lutheran Social Services | Minneapolis, MN | $16,270 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ampersand Families | Roseville, MN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Culture Aid | New Orleans, LA | $12,750 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation | New Orleans, LA | $12,750 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Reach for Resources Inc | Minnetonka, MN | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Doctors Without Borders | New York, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grow Dat Youth Farm | New Orleans, LA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville, IL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Mercy House | Plymouth, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| National Wildlife Federation | Reston, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nature Conservancy - Channel Islands | Ventura, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New Orleans Jazz Festival | New Orleans, LA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Oasis for Youth | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| One Heartland Center | Willow River, MN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Partnership With Native Americans | Addison, TX | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Partnership With Native Americans - Rosebud | Addison, TX | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Reconcile New Orleans Inc | New Orleans, LA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Santa Cruz Island Foundation | Carpinteia, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Montgomery, AL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Turner Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| University of Minnesota - College of Pharmacy | Madison, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University of Minnesota - Foundationchutich Scholarship | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University of Minnesota - Law School | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | Madison, WI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Upmc Children's Hospital Foundation | Pittsburgh, PA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Western Rivers Conservancy | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| World Savvy | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Califorinia Fire Foundation | Sacramento, CA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Channel Island Restoration | Santa Barbara, CA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Foodbank of Sb County | Goleta, CA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pinewood Inc | Duluth, MN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Alpha Emergence Behavioral Health | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Animal Humane Society | Golden Valley, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Attach | Burnsville, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| French Quarter Festival | New Orleans, LA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Friends of Hennepin County Library | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries | Shoreview, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Gaviota Coast Conservancy | Goleta, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lifeworks Services Inc | Richfield, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Loaves and Fishes | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Minnetonka Center for the Arts | Wayzata, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Montecito Trails Foundation | Montecito, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Nature Conservancy | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| New Orleans Ems Foundation | New Orleans, LA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| New Orleans Jazz Orchestra | New Orleans, LA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| North Memorial Foundation | Robbinsdale, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| North Metro Blazers | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northstar Scouting | Fort Snelling, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ocean Conservancy | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Riverworks | Rockford, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative | Santa Barbara, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Dwelling Place | Columbia Heights, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Museum of Russian Art | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Together for Good | St Paul, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Turning Tables Nola | New Orleans, LA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities | St Paul, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| University of Mn - Cuhcc Dental Services | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| West Homeschool Maple Grove | Maple Grove, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Market Umbrella | New Orleans, LA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Edible Schoolyard | Berkeley, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Gladwaves | New Orleans, LA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sprout Nola | New Orleans, LA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Sugar Roots Farm | New Orleans, LA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Novac | New Orleans, LA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre | New Orleans, LA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
40 of 135 (30%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 35%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 106 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | $8,278,698 | $17,500 |
| 2022 | 56 | $7,188,900 | $12,500 |
| 2023 | 48 | $4,526,000 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 43 | $7,479,598 | $25,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 90% of this one's giving went to organizations in Minnesota. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $15,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Minnesota.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Bentson Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 315 Lake Street East 302, Wayzata, MN, 55391. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 41-6020204 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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