Oleson Foundation
Traverse City, MI · EIN 38-6083080. Reported 284 grants totalling $5,138,776 to 152 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. Oleson 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 $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $25,000; the smallest was $815 and the largest $200,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Traverse Bay YMCA | Traverse City, MI | $250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | $221,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Tart Trails | Traverse City, MI | $178,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Women's Resource Center | Traverse City, MI | $149,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Inland Seas Education Center | Suttons Bay, MI | $125,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Northwestern Michigan College Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $122,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Child & Family Services Nw Mi | Traverse City, MI | $116,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cherry Festival Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $103,854 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Zonta Club of Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | $102,513 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse | Traverse City, MI | $101,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Botanical Gardens of Northwest Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Discovery Center Great Lakes | Traverse City, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Traverse Bay Child Advocacy Center | Traverse City, MI | $90,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Directors Fund | Providence, RI | $90,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Leland, MI | $85,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Father Fred Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $80,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| City Opera House Heritage Association | Traverse City, MI | $80,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity | Traverse City, MI | $80,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mount Holiday | Traverse City, MI | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity | Harbor Springs, MI | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nonprofit Rentals | Okemos, MI | $70,211 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Groundworks Center | Traverse City, MI | $70,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| United Way Nw Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $70,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Traverse Symphony Orchestra | Traverse City, MI | $65,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Norte | Traverse City, MI | $64,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Benzie Area Christian Neighbors | Benzonia, MI | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nw Michgian Rural Housing Partnership | Traverse City, MI | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mana Food Project | Harbor Springs, MI | $59,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Little Traverse Bay Humane Society | Harbor Springs, MI | $55,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Salvation Army Grand Traverse | Traverse City, MI | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Conservation Resource Alliance | Traverse City, MI | $54,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Good Samaritan Family Services | Ellsworth, MI | $52,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $51,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Friends of Fife Lake Public Library | Fife Lake, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Friends of Gt Conservation District | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New Community Vision | Okemos, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Rock of Kingsley | Kingsley, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project | Thompsonville, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United We Smile | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Salvation Army Emmet County | Petoskey, MI | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Little Traverse Conservancy | Harbor Springs, MI | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Benzie Senior Resources | Honor, MI | $37,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Traverse City, MI | $35,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Traverse Conservation District | Traverse City, MI | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| North Central Michigan College | Petoskey, MI | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Seeds | Traverse City, MI | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Tbays Youth Soccer | Traverse City, MI | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cherryland Humane Society | Traverse City, MI | $31,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Hospice of Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mclaren Northern Michigan Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| North Central Michigan College Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Old Town Playhouse | Traverse City, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center | Traverse City, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Council of Michigan Foundations | Grand Haven, MI | $28,800 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Generations Ahead | Traverse City, MI | $28,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Charlevoix Area Community Pool | Charlevoix, MI | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Single Momm | Traverse City, MI | $27,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Women's Resource Center of N Michigan | Petoskey, MI | $27,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Crooked Tree Arts Council | Traverse City, MI | $26,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Project Feed the Kids | Traverse City, MI | $26,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Traverse Industries | Traverse City, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region | Traverse City, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Peninsula Township | Traverse City, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Salvation Army - Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northmen Den Youth Pantries | Petoskey, MI | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park | Traverse City, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Echo His Love | Manistee, MI | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Friends of Garden Theater | Frankfort, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Friendship Community Center Suttons Bay | Suttons Bay, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Grace Episcopal Church | Traverse City, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Honor Area Restoration Project | Honor, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Paddle Antrim | Elk Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Step Up Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Traverse City Curling Club | Traverse City, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Newtons Road Northwest | Traverse City, MI | $18,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Dream Team Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | $17,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Legacy Aviation Learning Center | Saginaw, MI | $16,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools | Traverse City, MI | $15,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Addiction Treatment Services | Traverse City, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cognition Science and Discovery Center | Beulah, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friendship Community Center Inc | Suttons Bay, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Glen Arbor Art Association | Glen Arbor, MI | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Rotary Club of Charlevoix Charities Inc | Charlevoix, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vasa Ski Club | Traverse City, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Friendship Centers of Emmet County | Petosley, MI | $14,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sharecare of Leelanau | Lake Leelanau, MI | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Child and Family Services | Lansing, MI | $13,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Benzie Conservation District | Beulah, MI | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Mary School | Lake Leelanau, MI | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Traverse City Area Public Schools | Traverse City, MI | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| City of Traverse City and Charter Township of Garfield | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Flow | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Harbor Hall Foundation | Harbor Springs, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Legacy Aviation | Saginaw, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northwest Education Services | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nw Mi Food Coalition | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Parallel 45 Theatre | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear | Maple City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Recreational Authority of Tc Garfield | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Long Lake Township | Traverse City, MI | $9,243 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills Inc | Boyne Falls, MI | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Hoop's Pet Food Pantry | Traverse City, MI | $9,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Goodwill Industries | Traverse City, MI | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council | Petoskey, MI | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Carmelite Monastry | Traverse City, MI | $7,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| St Francis Catholic Church | Traverse City, MI | $7,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| 5 Loaves 2 Fishes | Welch, WV | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kair Kalkaska | Kalkaska, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Keys to Freedom Ministries | Traverse City, MI | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nehemia Project | Petoskey, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Charlevoix Circle of Arts | Charlevoix, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Crystal Community Ski Club | Thompsonville, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Horse North Rescue | Lake Ann, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Memorial Pickleball Association | Interlochen, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Michigan Legacy Art Park | Thompsonville, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| National Writers Series | Traverse City, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northmen Den | Petoskey, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing | Traverse City, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Salvation Army - Petoskey | Petoskey, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Traverse Area Community Sailing | Traverse City, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Village of Ellsworth | Ellsworth, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wings of Wonder | Empire, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Michael's Place | Traverse City, MI | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Blissfest | Petoskey, MI | $4,350 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Long Lake Association | Interlochen, MI | $4,330 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Benzie Leelanau District Health Dept | Lake Leelanau, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Community Food Pantry | Charlevoix, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Glen Lake Association | Glen Arbor, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Reining Liberty Ranch | Traverse City, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Traverse Health Clinic | Traverse City, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Angel Care Child Care | Traverse City, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Writers Series of Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Brickways | Traverse City, MI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Catholic Charities of West Michigan | Stanton, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Joppa House | Charlevoix, MI | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Paraklesis Inc | Traverse City, MI | $2,600 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Great Lakes Children's Museum | Traverse City, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mindimooyenh Healing Circle | Traverse City, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Exponent Philanthropy | Washington, DC | $2,375 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Charlevoix Community Food Pantry | Charlevoix, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| NAMI | Traverse City, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Northern Michigan Equine Therapy | Boyne City, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pathfinder School | Pinckney, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Peace Ranch | Traverse City, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Otsego Community Foundation | Gaylord, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pregnancy Care Center | Petoskey, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
74 of 152 (49%) 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 53%, 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 the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
ACQUISITION OF THE RIDGE PROPERTY - Tart Trails
CONSTRUCTION OF 5-MILES OF TRAIL AROUND SLEEPING BEAR DUNES, SUPPORT SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS TRAIL ON HAMMOND ROAD - Nonprofit Rentals
ZONTA ($34,171) AND THE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION ($36,040) - Traverse Bay Child Advocacy Center
CAPITAL PROJECT YEAR 2 PAYMENT - United Way Nw Michigan
GRANT FOR DENTAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN & DIRECTORS FUND MARTY OLESON - City Opera House Heritage Association
YEAR 1 PAYMENT FOR NEW SOUND SYSTEM
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 126 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | $1,139,327 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 77 | $978,175 | $10,000 |
| 2023 | 71 | $1,440,894 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 71 | $1,580,380 | $15,000 |
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. 98% of this one's giving went to organizations in Michigan. 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 $10,000. 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 Michigan.
- 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.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Oleson 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: Po Box 904, Traverse City, MI, 49685. 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 38-6083080 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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