Bentson Foundation
Wayzata, Minnesota · EIN 416020204 · Private foundation
Based in Wayzata, Minnesota, Bentson Foundation has awarded $41.0M across 310 grants in our index of public IRS filings, with giving recorded as recently as 2025. Its largest grant on record went to University of Minnesota Foundation. This profile covers its focus areas, top grant recipients, year-by-year giving, and how a nonprofit should approach it.
What Bentson Foundation funds
Bentson Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on arts & culture, education, faith-based (christian), faith-based (jewish), food & agriculture, and related causes.
Populations it has supported include children, families.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Bentson Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota Foundation GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $7.1M | 2025 |
| University of Calif Santa Barbara GENERAL | Santa Barbara, CA | $3.1M | 2025 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $3.1M | 2023 |
| Allina Health GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $2.5M | 2024 |
| University of Minnesota - Pell Challenge Grant GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $2.5M | 2022 |
| Second Harvest Heartland GENERAL | Brooklyn Park, MN | $1.0M | 2020 |
| University of Minnesota School of Nursing GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $1.0M | 2020 |
| U of M - Community-university Health Care Center GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $1.0M | 2024 |
| University of Minnesota School of Nursing GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $1.0M | 2018 |
| University of Minnesota - Cehd GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $1.0M | 2022 |
| Second Harvest Heartland GENERAL | Brooklyn Park, MN | $550K | 2022 |
| Prodeo Academy GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $515K | 2024 |
| Hope Academy GENERAL | Minneapolis, MN | $500K | 2024 |
| Children's Minnesota GENERAL | St Paul, MN | $500K | 2024 |
| Children's Minnesota GENERAL | St Paul, MN | $500K | 2022 |
Bentson Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Bentson Foundation
Bentson Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal. You can review the foundation directly at bentsonfoundation.org.
Is Bentson Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what Bentson Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about Bentson Foundation
- Does Bentson Foundation accept grant applications?
- Bentson Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does Bentson Foundation fund?
- Bentson Foundation's grants focus on arts & culture. Recent recipients include University of Minnesota Foundation, University of Calif Santa Barbara, University of Minnesota Foundation. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Bentson Foundation give in grants?
- Bentson Foundation reported $5.5M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $41.0M over 310 grants.
- Where is Bentson Foundation located?
- Bentson Foundation is based in Wayzata, Minnesota. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 416020204.
- How can I find foundations similar to Bentson Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Bentson Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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