Oleson Foundation
Traverse City, Michigan · EIN 386083080 · Private foundation
Oleson Foundation is a private foundation based in Traverse City, Michigan. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $667K in grants paid and $22.0M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 366 individual grants from this funder — $5.8M awarded across 2017–2024 — including its support for arts & culture. Below is its full funding profile.
What Oleson Foundation funds
Oleson Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on arts & culture, arts education, criminal justice, domestic violence, education, and related causes.
Populations it has supported include black communities, children, families, older adults, young adults, youth pop.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Oleson Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Traverse Bay YMCA GRANT FOR SPLASH PROGRAM | Traverse City, MI | $200K | 2023 |
| Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools GRANT FOR NEEDS AND EQUIPMENT | Traverse City, MI | $105K | 2017 |
| Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools DIRECTORS CHOICE AND CAPITAL GRANTS | Traverse City, MI | $102K | 2018 |
| Directors Fund DIRECTORS FUND | Providence, RI | $90K | 2024 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy ACQUISITION OF THE RIDGE PROPERTY | Traverse City, MI | $85K | 2024 |
| Northwestern Michigan College Foundation GRANT FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS AND STUDENT PROGRAMS | Traverse City, MI | $80K | 2020 |
| Tart Trails CONSTRUCTION OF 5-MILES OF TRAIL AROUND SLEEPING BEAR DUNES, SUPPORT SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS TRAIL ON HAMMOND ROAD | Traverse City, MI | $75K | 2024 |
| Nonprofit Rentals ZONTA ($34,171) AND THE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION ($36,040) | Okemos, MI | $70K | 2024 |
| United Way Nw Michigan GRANT FOR DENTAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN & DIRECTORS FUND MARTY OLESON | Traverse City, MI | $55K | 2023 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy GRANT FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT OLESON PRESERVE & DIRECTORS FUND DON OLESON & RICHARD FORD. 2023 GRANT. | Traverse City, MI | $54K | 2023 |
| Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse GRANT FOR HVAC UPGRADES FOR SH | Traverse City, MI | $51K | 2023 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy MITCHELL CREEK TRAILS YEAR 2 INSTALLMENT | Traverse City, MI | $51K | 2022 |
| Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity GRANT FOR 42 NEW HOMES 2ND PAYMENT | Harbor Springs, MI | $50K | 2022 |
| Inland Seas Education Center GRANT FOR MAJOR CAMPUS EXPANSION | Suttons Bay, MI | $50K | 2023 |
| Discovery Center Great Lakes GRANT FOR PHASE 1B UPGRADES | Traverse City, MI | $50K | 2023 |
Oleson Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Oleson Foundation
From Oleson Foundation's IRS Form 990-PF, on how it handles applications:
Verify the current process on the foundation's own materials before sending anything. You can review the foundation directly at olesonfoundation.org.
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Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about Oleson Foundation
- Does Oleson Foundation accept grant applications?
- Yes — Oleson Foundation's IRS filing describes an application process. Confirm the current details directly with the foundation before applying.
- What does Oleson Foundation fund?
- Oleson Foundation's grants focus on arts & culture. Recent recipients include Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Oleson Foundation give in grants?
- Oleson Foundation reported $667K in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $5.8M over 366 grants.
- Where is Oleson Foundation located?
- Oleson Foundation is based in Traverse City, Michigan. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 386083080.
- How can I find foundations similar to Oleson Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Oleson 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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