Data / Foundation grants / Oleson Foundation
Oleson Foundation: 88 grants to organizations, $1.6 million (tax year ended December 2025)
Oleson Foundation, a private foundation in Traverse City, MI, paid 88 grants to organizations totaling $1,582,361 in its tax year ended December 2025, according to its Form 990-PF filed with the IRS on May 7, 2026. The largest was $77,000 to Tart Trails in Traverse City, MI for three mile trail and director's fund.
SpecStream is the live web data engine for teams and agents. It reads every private foundation's Form 990-PF as the IRS publishes it, and this page is that reading. Ask for the foundations that fund your cause in your state, with the amounts and purposes, and new grants arrive in your sheet, CRM, Slack or agent as the returns are filed.
- EIN
- 386083080
- Based in
- Traverse City, MI
- Assets
- $36,404,195
- Grants paid
- $1,582,361
- Tax year ended
- December 2025
Grants paid, tax year ended December 2025
From the Form 990-PF filed May 7, 2026, IRS object ID 202601279349101795. It reported $1,582,361 in grants paid; 88 grants to organizations are listed.
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Cause | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tart Trails | Traverse City, MI | Three mile trail and director's fund | $77,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center | Traverse City, MI | Work with children who are victims of assault and general support | $76,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| NW Mi Food Coalition | Traverse City, MI | Food for families in need | $75,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Conservation Resource Alliance | Traverse City, MI | Road stream crossing improvement and director's fund | $62,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | Capital campaign: purchase street outreach vehicle and director's fund | Employment | $57,900 | apps.irs.gov |
| Grace Episcopal Church | Traverse City, MI | Jubilee house support and director's fund | $55,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | The ridge expansion and director's fund | Environment | $54,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Grand Traverse Bay YMCA | Traverse City, MI | Capital campaign: child watch center upgrades and director's fund | $52,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Grass River Natural Area | Bellaire, MI | Capital campaign: boardwalk construction | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Leland, MI | Suttons bay forest | Environment | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Norte | Traverse City, MI | Bicycle pump track and director's fund | $42,500 | apps.irs.gov | |
| The Festival Foundation | Traverse City, MI | In-kind rental | Human services | $36,040 | apps.irs.gov |
| Cherryland Humane Society | Traverse City, MI | Animal care and dog intake wing | Animal-related | $35,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Zonta Club of Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | In-kind rental | $34,171 | apps.irs.gov | |
| The Watershed Center | Traverse City, MI | Bay shoreline mapping and surveying | $34,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Northwestern Michigan College Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Audio tech building and oleson center upgrades | Education | $30,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Salvation Army Emmet County | Petoskey, MI | Emergency assistance and support for families in need | $30,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| The Rock of Kingsley | Kingsley, MI | Technology for youth programs | Youth development | $30,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Women's Resource Center | Traverse City, MI | Helen's house staff support and director's fund | $27,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Traverse City, MI | Middle school mentorship program and director's fund | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Elk Rapids District Library | Elk Rapids, MI | Library capital campaign | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region | Traverse City, MI | Construct homes in new waves community | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Long Lake Township | Traverse City, MI | Twin lakes dorm bathroom renovations | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| The Salvation Army - Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | Emergency rental assistance and support for people in need | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Traverse Symphony Orchestra | Traverse City, MI | Audience chairs for new theater | Arts, culture and humanities | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Child & Family Services NW Mi | Traverse City, MI | Child car seats and staff safety improvements and director's fund | $24,500 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Single Momm | Traverse City, MI | Mentorship garden at new location and director's fund | Human services | $23,500 | apps.irs.gov |
| 5 Loaves 2 Fishes | Welch, WV | Purchase commercial dishwasher | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Benzie Area Christian Neighbors | Benzonia, MI | Blessings in a backpack program and food for families in need | Religion-related | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Little Traverse Bay Humane Society | Harbor Springs, MI | Trap, neuter, release program for cats and animal care | Animal-related | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| North Central Michigan College Foundation | Petoskey, MI | Mannequins for dental hygiene school | Education | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing | Traverse City, MI | Supportive housing operations and programming | Human services | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Women's Resource Center of N Michigan | Petoskey, MI | Child care support and director's fund | $17,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Addiction Treatment Services | Traverse City, MI | Purchase air conditioner | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Boyne Heritage Center | Boyne City, MI | Museum exhibit construction | Arts, culture and humanities | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Crosshatch | Traverse City, MI | Capital campaign: outdoor classroom | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Friendship Community Center Inc | Suttons Bay, MI | Leelanau investing for teens (lift) programming in suttons bay | Human services | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Seeds | Traverse City, MI | Ecocorps training program | Environment | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Father Fred Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Emergency support for people in need and director's fund | Human services | $14,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Project Feed the Kids | Traverse City, MI | Truck refrigeration system for food transport and director's fund | Food, agriculture and nutrition | $11,500 | apps.irs.gov |
| Cognition Science and Discovery Center | Beulah, MI | Purchase building blocks exhibit | $11,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Mana Food Project | Harbor Springs, MI | Food distribution program and director's fund | $11,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| 217 Recovery | Traverse City, MI | Purchase new vehicle for rides to addiction treatment | Mental health and crisis intervention | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Camp Leelanau and Kohahna FDN Inc | Maple City, MI | New safety equipment for high ropes course | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Glen Arbor Art Association | Glen Arbor, MI | New furnace and pottery wheels | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Good Samaritan Family Services | Ellsworth, MI | Food for families in need | Human services | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Groundworks Center | Traverse City, MI | Teaching kitchen technology upgrades | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Health Department of Northwest Michigan | Charlevoix, MI | Youth substance use prevention program | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Inland Seas Education Center | Suttons Bay, MI | Inland seas ship repairs | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Leelanau Christian Neighbors | Lake Leelanau, MI | Operating support | Religion-related | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| National Alliance On Mental Illness - Grand Traverse | Traverse City, MI | Office furniture and updates | Civil rights, social action and advocacy | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Northmen Den | Petoskey, MI | Food for families in need | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency | Traverse City, MI | Meals on wheels | Human services | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Old Town Playhouse | Traverse City, MI | Purchase new microphones | Arts, culture and humanities | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| TC Paw Cat Rescue | Traverse City, MI | Cat veterinary expenses | Animal-related | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Raven Hill Discovery Center | East Jordan, MI | Wayfinding and interpretive signage | Arts, culture and humanities | $7,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Council of Michigan Foundations | Grand Haven, MI | Membership dues | $6,500 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills Inc | Boyne Falls, MI | Adaptive ski equipment for people with disabilities and director's fund | $5,800 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Charlevoix Area Community Pool | Charlevoix, MI | Pool sanitation system update | Recreation and sports | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | East Jordan, MI | Ice storm support | Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Flow | Traverse City, MI | Graduate student research team | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Generations Ahead | Traverse City, MI | Teen father program | Human services | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Great Lakes Children's Museum | Traverse City, MI | Purchase exhibit tables and chairs | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MI | Winterlochen 2026 | Arts, culture and humanities | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Mashup Rock and Roll Musical | Traverse City, MI | New theater space | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Paraklesis Inc | Traverse City, MI | Equine therapy program for parents and grandparents of traumatized youth | Human services | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation | Petoskey, MI | Ice storm support | Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | Housing and shelter | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Step Up Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | Human services | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch | Petoskey, MI | Fall raptor naturalist | $4,500 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | $4,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Long Lake Association | Interlochen, MI | Water quality monitoring | Environment | $2,500 | apps.irs.gov |
| Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Director's fund | Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations | $2,100 | apps.irs.gov |
| Carmelite Monastry | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | $2,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Crooked Tree Arts Council | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | $2,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network | Traverse City, MI | Purchase office furnishings | Arts, culture and humanities | $2,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| St Francis Catholic Church | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | $2,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| St Patrick Catholic Church | Traverse City, MI | Director's fund | $2,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Brickways | Traverse City, MI | Director's fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Camp Quality Michigan | Kalamazoo, MI | Director's fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Charlevoix Community Food Pantry | Charlevoix, MI | Directors fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Fresh Wind Christian Community | Interlochen, MI | Director's fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Friendship Centers of Emmet County | Petoskey, MI | Directors fund | Human services | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Joppa House | Charlevoix, MI | Directors fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Keys To Freedom Ministries | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | Crime and legal-related | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear | Maple City, MI | Directors fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Traverse Health Clinic | Traverse City, MI | Directors fund | $1,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Exponent Philanthropy | Washington, DC | Membership dues | $850 | apps.irs.gov |
Grants paid, tax year ended December 2024
From the Form 990-PF filed June 13, 2025, IRS object ID 202531649349100713. It reported $1,580,380 in grants paid; 71 grants to organizations are listed.
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Cause | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors Fund | Providence, RI | Directors fund | $90,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | Acquisition of the ridge property | Environment | $85,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Tart Trails | Traverse City, MI | Construction of 5-miles of trail around sleeping bear dunes, support safe routes to schools trail on hammond road | $75,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Nonprofit Rentals | Okemos, MI | Zonta ($34,171) and the festival foundation ($36,040) | $70,211 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Friends of Fife Lake Public Library | Fife Lake, MI | Capital project - two-story addition at fife lake public library | Education | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Friends of GT Conservation District | Traverse City, MI | Boardman crossing footbridge construction | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | New box truck for food rescue program operations | Employment | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Grand Traverse Bay YMCA | Traverse City, MI | Capital campaign to expand ymca facilities | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Inland Seas Education Center | Suttons Bay, MI | Matching funds for capital campaign | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Mount Holiday | Traverse City, MI | Redesign and purchase snowmaking infrastructure | Recreation and sports | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| New Community Vision | Okemos, MI | Purchase timber shores property for public recreational use | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse | Traverse City, MI | Year-round operations | Housing and shelter | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project | Thompsonville, MI | Capital campaign - construct new trailhead and visitor center | Recreation and sports | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| United We Smile | Traverse City, MI | Dental treatment for people experiencing domestic violence | $50,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Child & Family Services NW Mi | Traverse City, MI | Renovation of youthwork training and educational center | $35,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| North Central Michigan College Foundation | Petoskey, MI | Medical and health education facility construction | Education | $30,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Northwestern Michigan College Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Nmc student mobile food pantry and oleson center updates | Education | $30,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center | Traverse City, MI | Expansion and support of organizational changes | $30,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| City Opera House Heritage Association | Traverse City, MI | Support and programs | Arts, culture and humanities | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region | Traverse City, MI | Start building 4 new homes in new waves community | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Little Traverse Bay Humane Society | Harbor Springs, MI | Support and programs | Animal-related | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity | Harbor Springs, MI | Completion of 46 affordable homes by 2025 | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| The Salvation Army - Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | Help for families in need; stay housed-emergency rental assistance program | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Women's Resource Center of N Michigan | Petoskey, MI | Capital campaign - construct new facility | $25,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park | Traverse City, MI | Capital campaign - dairy barn into education and conference center | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Little Traverse Conservancy | Harbor Springs, MI | Purchase 18-acres to add to black hole nature preserve | Environment | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Upgrade breast health diagnostics at charlevoix hospital | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Traverse Symphony Orchestra | Traverse City, MI | Support an expansion of programming | Arts, culture and humanities | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Women's Resource Center | Traverse City, MI | Emergency shelter operation support | $20,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Benzie Senior Resources | Honor, MI | Grant for meals on wheels delivery vehicle | Human services | $17,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Legacy Aviation Learning Center | Saginaw, MI | Purchase aviation training simulators | $16,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Addiction Treatment Services | Traverse City, MI | Family support for people with substance use disorder | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Traverse City, MI | Child safety training for staff and volunteers | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Friendship Community Center Inc | Suttons Bay, MI | Leelanau investing for teens (lift) programming in suttons bay | Human services | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Rotary Club of Charlevoix Charities Inc | Charlevoix, MI | Mt. mcsauba community playground installation | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Seeds | Traverse City, MI | Expand food access program through training programs | Environment | $15,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Sharecare of Leelanau | Lake Leelanau, MI | Open first memory cafe in northern michigan | $12,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Council of Michigan Foundations | Grand Haven, MI | Membership dues | $11,100 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Benzie Area Christian Neighbors | Benzonia, MI | Expansion of food programs at their new center | Religion-related | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Cherryland Humane Society | Traverse City, MI | Support and programs | Animal-related | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| City of Traverse City and Charter Township of Garfield | Traverse City, MI | Standardize wayfinding signs across hickory properties | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Conservation Resource Alliance | Traverse City, MI | Design phase of the restoration project on mitchell creek | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Echo His Love | Manistee, MI | Help for families in need | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Father Fred Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Help for families in need | Human services | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Friends of Garden Theater | Frankfort, MI | Solar garden on the roof of theater | Arts, culture and humanities | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Good Samaritan Family Services | Ellsworth, MI | Food for families in need | Human services | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Emergency sanitary equipment at the pines | Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Hospice of Michigan | Traverse City, MI | Hospice programs for children and families | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MI | Family-friendly winter arts festival | Arts, culture and humanities | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Leland, MI | Kehl lake project | Environment | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Mana Food Project | Harbor Springs, MI | Food for families in need | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| NW Mi Food Coalition | Traverse City, MI | Food for families in need | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network | Traverse City, MI | Purchase work truck for invasive species management | Environment | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Project Feed the Kids | Traverse City, MI | Equipment to start a mobile soup kitchen | Food, agriculture and nutrition | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Step Up Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | Help for families in need | Human services | $10,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Hoop's Pet Food Pantry | Traverse City, MI | Purchase trailer for pet food storage and delivery | $9,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Charlevoix Area Community Pool | Charlevoix, MI | Automated pool chemical mixing system | Recreation and sports | $7,500 | apps.irs.gov |
| Generations Ahead | Traverse City, MI | Career internship program for teen and young adult parents | Human services | $7,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| 5 Loaves 2 Fishes | Welch, WV | Purchase and install convection oven | $6,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Friendship Centers of Emmet County | Petoskey, MI | Replace aging meals on wheels vehicle | Human services | $6,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| Flow | Traverse City, MI | Great lakes protection program | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Glen Arbor Art Association | Glen Arbor, MI | Support summer youth arts education programs | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Grace Episcopal Church | Traverse City, MI | Jubilee house support | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Horse North Rescue | Lake Ann, MI | Support for humane society for horses | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Keys To Freedom Ministries | Traverse City, MI | Recovery housing for post-incarcerated people | Crime and legal-related | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| National Writers Series | Traverse City, MI | Support battle of the books youth competition | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Northmen Den | Petoskey, MI | Youth pantry | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing | Traverse City, MI | Utility costs for clients in permanent supportive housing | Human services | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov |
| The Salvation Army - Petoskey | Petoskey, MI | Purchase maintenance shed | $5,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Peace Ranch | Traverse City, MI | Four-week youth leadership and resiliency group | $2,000 | apps.irs.gov | |
| Long Lake Township | Traverse City, MI | Long lake water quality report | $1,569 | apps.irs.gov |
Causes funded
From grants whose recipient has a cause.
| Cause | Granted |
|---|---|
| Environment | $261,500 |
| Human services | $224,540 |
| Education | $160,000 |
| Arts, culture and humanities | $129,000 |
| Recreation and sports | $112,500 |
| Employment | $107,900 |
| Animal-related | $100,000 |
| Housing and shelter | $55,000 |
States funded
| Recipient state | Granted |
|---|---|
| Michigan | $3,045,891 |
| Rhode Island | $90,000 |
| West Virginia | $26,000 |
| District of Columbia | $850 |
Also on SpecStream
- Who funds environment in Michigan
- Who funds human services in Michigan
- Who funds education in Michigan
- Who funds arts, culture and humanities in Michigan
- Who funds recreation and sports in Michigan
- Who funds employment in Michigan
Updated May 7, 2026. Read from IRS Form 990-PF e-file data. Public domain (U.S. government work). Grants are as each foundation reported them to the IRS on its Form 990-PF. Grants to individuals are left out. A grant has a cause only where the recipient's name and city match one organization in the IRS Business Master File, and the cause is that organization's NTEE major group. Free to reuse with credit to SpecStream under CC BY 4.0. Spot a wrong value? Write to [email protected] with the link to this page.