The David & Janis Larson Foundation concentrates on large, targeted investments in youth-focused education and development, with a strong emphasis on scholarship support for higher education and experiential/outdoor learning. They also fund pediatric health causes and community-based youth programming, privileging a small number of organizations with multi-million dollar and repeat gifts. Their giving blends local community impact (Minneapolis-area youth programs) with substantial support for a flagship scholarship program at the University of Kansas.
A defining feature of David & Janis Larson Foundation C/o First Trust Company LLC is its repeated support for scholarship and student-success funds at the University of Kansas, including $1,241,000 in 2023 for the Larson Foundation Scholarship Fund and $1,051,000 in 2025 for the Larsons Scholars Fund. That pattern sits alongside similarly large gifts to youth-focused organizations in Minnesota, showing a funder that concentrates on a small set of relationships rather than many smaller awards. The foundation’s grant history includes major support for Pinky Swear Foundation, Voyageur Outward Bound School, The Sanneh Foundation, and the Kansas University Endowment Association, with several recipients appearing in multiple years. Its giving covers education, youth development, pediatric cancer support, outdoor experiential learning, and community-based programming. The scale is substantial: recent awards often fall in the six-figure range and can exceed $1 million for a single recipient in a year. The foundation also extends support to local institutions such as libraries, athletics, and community foundations, suggesting a portfolio built around both flagship commitments and place-based philanthropy.
Scholarship support is central to the foundation’s portfolio. In higher education, it gave $350,000 in 2025 to Kansas University Endowment Association for the KU LEADS Fund and $330,000 in 2024 for the Jayhawk Achievement Fund, both tied to student support at the University of Kansas. It also funded the University of Minnesota Foundation with $300,000 in 2024 for the Dave Larson Scholarship Fund, Janis Larson Scholarship Fund, and Larson Family Endowment for CLA Learning. Youth development appears in several forms. The foundation gave $1,301,500 in 2025 to The Sanneh Foundation for general charitable purposes, and it supported Big Brothers and Big Sisters with $500,000 in 2023 and $400,000 in 2024. Outdoor and experiential learning is another clear theme, reflected in $1,330,000 to Voyageur Outward Bound School in 2023 and $850,000 in 2024.
Typical grant size is high: the distribution sits at $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $150,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. The record shows repeat funding across multiple years for several organizations, including Kansas University Endowment Association, Pinky Swear Foundation, Voyageur Outward Bound School, The Sanneh Foundation, YMCA of the North, and Pope County Historical Society. That points to an ongoing, relationship-based grantmaking pattern rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it also funds individuals. Its recent grants show both operating-style support and named funds or project-specific purposes.
$8.4M
$139.8M
$12.3M
$9.4M
Most grants fall between $50K and $300K, with a median of $150K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$150K
75th Percentile
$300K
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Highly concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat grantees—multiple multi-million-dollar awards rather than many small grants—mixing one major university scholarship commitment with multi-year support for specialized youth nonprofits.
Notable grantees: Kansas University Endowment Association (Larsons Scholars Fund), Pinky Swear Foundation, Voyageur Outward Bound School, The Sanneh Foundation
Grantmaking is strongly centered in Minnesota, which accounts for 71% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Glenwood, Redwood Falls, and Alexandria all appear among recipient locations, with Lawrence, Kansas showing up as a repeated destination for scholarship-related support. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided. The pattern suggests a regional footprint anchored in Minnesota, with a notable multi-year channel to Kansas through university scholarship funding.
The foundation’s giving centers on higher education scholarships, youth development, outdoor leadership, pediatric cancer support, and community-based youth programming. Named recurring areas in the data include the Larson Scholars program at the University of Kansas, youth nature-based leadership at Voyageur Outward Bound School, and local youth programming through The Sanneh Foundation.
The grant-size distribution is high relative to many foundations: $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $150,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. Several grants in the record also reach seven figures, indicating a portfolio built around substantial awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Kansas University Endowment Association, Pinky Swear Foundation, Voyageur Outward Bound School, The Sanneh Foundation, YMCA of the North, and Pope County Historical Society. The repeated awards show a sustained funding pattern rather than isolated gifts.
Minnesota is the main grantmaking state, with 71% of grants going to recipients in MN. Recipient cities in the record include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Glenwood, Redwood Falls, Alexandria, and others across the state.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, which aligns with its scholarship-related giving to university endowments and scholarship funds at the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SANNEH FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $1,301,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | LAWRENCE, KS | $1,051,000 | 2025 | LARSONS SCHOLARS FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ATHLETICS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| REDWOOD AREA LIBRARY FOUNDATION | REDWOOD FALLS, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S WING ADDITION |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | LAWRENCE, KS | $350,000 | 2025 | KU LEADS FUND |
| CENTRAL SQUARE CULTURAL AND CIVIC CENTER | GLENWOOD, MN | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| YMCA OF THE NORTH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST CROIX VALLEY FOUNDATION | HUDSON, WI | $300,000 | 2025 | CAPISTRANT PARKINSONS FUND |
| PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION | EDINA, MN | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | LAWRENCE, KS | $250,000 | 2025 | JAYHAWK ACHIEVEMENT FUND |
| POPE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GLENWOOD, MN | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| VOYAGEUR OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | ST PAUL, MN | $230,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| REDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY | REDWOOD FALLS, MN | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS | ST PAUL, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRA, |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA | ST PAUL, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WASHBURN CENTER FOR CHILDREN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CAMP FIRE MINNESOTA | EXCELSIOR, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | YOUTH IN NATURE & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM |
| JUST LIKE YOU FILMS | PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE TWIN CITIES | ST PAUL, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GUTHRIE THEATER FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | LARSON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT |
| MINNESOTA MILITARY FAMILY FOUNDATION | GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DAV OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNESOTA ASSISTANCE COUNCIL FOR VETERANS | ST PAUL, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FOLDS OF HONOR OF MINNESOTA | WAYZATA, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VETERANS |
| AAHS DECA FOUNDATION | ALEXANDRIA, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| EVERY THIRD SATURDAY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERISITY FOUNDATION | MANKATO, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | HOCKEY PROGRAM HEALTH AND NUTRITION |
| THE GRIEF CLUB OF MINNESOTA | CHANHASSEN, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FOOD FOR HUNGRY MINDS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KIDS IN NEED | LITTLE CANADA, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CAPABLE PARTNERS | GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE ABNORMAL SOCIETY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE BENEFIT OF JAMIE ELWOOD |
| NEXT STEPS KANSAS CITY | LEAWOOD, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND REHABILITATION |
| ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS |
| ST ANN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | HAMEL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | EDINA, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST TERESA'S ACADEMY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR THE BENEFIT OF LILA ELWOOD |
| FULL THROTTLE FOUNDATION KC | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| YMAM SAN DIEGO | CHULA VISTA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| IGLESIA DEL DIOS VIVO COUMBIA Y APOYO DE LA VERDAD | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| LINCOLN PREP - INNER CITY ACCELERATED SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | LAWRENCE, KS | $1,017,000 | 2024 | LARSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION | EDINA, MN | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| VOYAGEUR OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | ST PAUL, MN | $850,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS LIBRARY | REDWOOD FALLS, MN | $500,000 | 2024 | NEW LIBRARY MATCH |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS | ST PAUL, MN | $400,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES - OPERATING |
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ATHLETICS
$600,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
REDWOOD AREA LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$500,000CHILDREN'S WING ADDITION
CENTRAL SQUARE CULTURAL AND CIVIC CENTER
GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
POPE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$250,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
REDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$200,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS
$150,000COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRA,
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
$150,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CAMP FIRE MINNESOTA
$125,000YOUTH IN NATURE & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
JUST LIKE YOU FILMS
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MINNESOTA MILITARY FAMILY FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DAV OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
AAHS DECA FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE GRIEF CLUB OF MINNESOTA
$75,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FOOD FOR HUNGRY MINDS
$60,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
KIDS IN NEED
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CAPABLE PARTNERS
$30,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE ABNORMAL SOCIETY
$25,000FOR THE BENEFIT OF JAMIE ELWOOD
NEXT STEPS KANSAS CITY
$25,000SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND REHABILITATION
ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
ST ANN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$20,000MENTAL HEALTH
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST TERESA'S ACADEMY
$15,000FOR THE BENEFIT OF LILA ELWOOD
FULL THROTTLE FOUNDATION KC
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
YMAM SAN DIEGO
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
IGLESIA DEL DIOS VIVO COUMBIA Y APOYO DE LA VERDAD
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
LINCOLN PREP - INNER CITY ACCELERATED SCHOOL
$7,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION
$1,017,000LARSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS LIBRARY
$500,000NEW LIBRARY MATCH
BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS
$400,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES - OPERATING