Private foundation · Wayzata, MN

Bentson Foundation

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Typical grant size
$10K – $15K – $50K
25th · median · 75th percentile
Unique recipients
130
Repeat grantees
55
funded 2+ years

Application procedures · from 2025 990-PF

DeadlinesNONE
ContactJUDI DUTCHER · 9529231040
MaterialsIN WRITING, STATING PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION AND INTENDED USE
RestrictionsNONE

Leadership · from 2025 990-PF

Judi Dutcher
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
$464K
Steve Grosser
ASSISTANT TREASURER
George Reilly
SECRETARY
Kimberly Bentson Kauth
VICE PRESIDENT
Lowell Stortz
BOARD MEMBER
Mark S Niblick
TREASURER
Darin Opperman
BOARD MEMBER
Laurie Bentson Kauth
PRESIDENT

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part VII. Officers, directors, and trustees as reported by the foundation.

Payout rate · TY 2025
12.7%
grants paid ÷ assets · ~5% IRS minimum
'17
'19
'20
'21
'22
'23
'24
'25
573
Total grants awarded
$67.4M
Total amount
$118K
Average grant
$7.1M
Largest grant

Giving by year

2025
$13.5M
37 grants
2024
$7.5M
43 grants
2023
$4.5M
48 grants
2022
$7.2M
56 grants
2021
$8.3M
56 grants
2020
$5.5M
78 grants
2019
$5.0M
55 grants
2017
$2.7M
48 grants
2016
$2.9M
40 grants
2015
$3.8M
45 grants
2014
$2.2M
34 grants
2013
$4.1M
33 grants

Top recipients

10 grants · MN · ≈ likely match
$10.9M
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
8 grants · MN
$9.0M
University of Minnesota - Pell Challenge Grant
2 grants · MN
$3.7M
University of Calif Santa Barbara
1 grant · CA
$3.1M
University of Minnesota - Cehd
5 grants · MN
$2.6M
1 grant · MN · ✓ Exact match
$2.5M
4 grants · MN · ≈ likely match
$2.1M
University of Minnesota - Cidrap
7 grants · MN
$2.0M
8 grants · MN · ✓ Exact match
$1.9M
3 grants · MN · ≈ likely match
$1.8M

Recipient names are as reported on the 990-PF. ✓ Exact match = EIN matched to IRS records by exact name + state; ≈ likely match = EIN inferred from a closely similar name. The recipient EIN is never stated on the form — it is DoubleNine’s match.

Recent grants · most recent filings first

University of Minnesota Foundation
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$7.1M
University of Calif Santa Barbara
GENERAL
CA · TY 2025
$3.1M
Planned Parenthood North Central States
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$450K
Augustana University
GENERAL
SD · TY 2025
$420K
Upmc Children's Hospital Foundation
GENERAL
PA · TY 2025
$250K
Lobero Theatre
GENERAL
CA · TY 2025
$250K
ACLU of Mn Foundation
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$225K
Iowa Law School Foundation
GENERAL
IA · TY 2025
$200K
Duluth Regional Care Center
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$125K
New Impact Fund
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$100K
Chabad Jewish Center
GENERAL
SD · TY 2025
$100K
Connected Families
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$100K
Friends of Education
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$100K
International Rescue Committee
GENERAL
NY · TY 2025
$100K
Indiana University Foundation
GENERAL
IN · TY 2025
$100K
Unicef
GENERAL
NY · TY 2025
$100K
Normandale Housing Corporation
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$90K
Normandale Lutheran Church
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$70K
Hope Farm School
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$50K
Community Emergency Services
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$50K
Minnesota Urban Debate League
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$50K
People Serving People Inc
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$50K
Winona State University Foundation
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$40K
Prodeo Academy
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$30K
National Wildlife Federation
GENERAL
VA · TY 2025
$25K
Mount Zion Temple
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$25K
Metro Meals on Wheels
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$25K
Redeemer Lutheran Church
GENERAL
SD · TY 2025
$25K
St Anthony Park Lutheran Church
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$25K
Guild
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$25K
Doctors Without Borders
GENERAL
NY · TY 2025
$25K
Riverworks
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$20K
West Homeschool Cooperative
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$15K
Nami Minnesota
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$15K
North Metro Blazers
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$15K
Lifeworks
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$10K
The Dwelling Place
GENERAL
MN · TY 2025
$5K
Allina Health
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$2.5M
U of M - Community-university Health Care Center
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$1.0M
Prodeo Academy
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$515K
Children's Minnesota
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$500K
Hope Academy
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$500K
U of M Pell Grant Challenge
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$405K
People Inc
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$300K
Lobero Theatre
GENERAL
CA · TY 2024
$300K
U of M - Cidrap (infectious Disease Research)
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$300K
Second Harvest Heartland
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$250K
Uc Santa Barbara Foundation
GENERAL
CA · TY 2024
$210K
Regions Hospital Foundation
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$68K
Guild Services
GENERAL
MN · TY 2024
$50K

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV. Up to 50 most recent grants shown.