The Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education in North Dakota, primarily funding scholarships and student leadership programs at state colleges and universities. Grants are large and targeted, often supporting specific academic units (business, engineering, law) or institutional scholarship funds, and several institutions receive repeat awards. The foundation’s portfolio reflects a clear in‑state focus on building workforce and leadership capacity through postsecondary education.
A defining feature of the Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation is its repeated, large-scale support for North Dakota higher education through scholarships and leadership programs. The foundation has made multiple seven-figure-looking grants across recent years, with awards reaching $450,000 to the University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines for Scholarships and Leadership and $400,000 to Mayville State University Foundation for the same purpose in both 2024 and 2025. That pattern points to a funder that favors sustained, institution-specific support rather than broad, open-ended giving. Its recent portfolio centers on colleges and universities in North Dakota, including public institutions and affiliated foundations. Grants have gone to the University of Jamestown, North Dakota State University College of Business, the University of North Dakota School of Law, and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. Several recipients appear more than once, suggesting a continuing relationship with selected schools and professional programs. The funding is closely tied to student scholarships, leadership development, and workforce pathways, especially in business, engineering, law, and medicine. It also extends to smaller institutions and campus foundations, indicating a statewide approach to postsecondary talent development.
Scholarship support is the clearest theme in the foundation’s giving. It gave $400,000 to Mayville State University Foundation in 2024 and again in 2025 for Scholarships and Leadership, and $200,000 to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in 2025 for the same purpose. Professional-school and workforce pathways are another emphasis. The foundation awarded $375,000 to North Dakota State University College of Business in 2024 for Scholarships and Leadership, following a $275,000 grant in 2023 to the same college. In the legal field, it gave $250,000 to the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2024. Smaller colleges also receive support. Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota received $350,000 in 2024 and $180,000 in 2025, both for Scholarships and Leadership. The University of Mary in Bismarck received $170,000 in 2023.
Typical grants cluster tightly around a substantial middle: the 25th percentile is $150,000, the median is $200,000, and the 75th percentile is $250,000. That distribution fits a grantmaker that uses sizable, targeted awards rather than small project grants. The recent record also shows repeat support to the same institutions across multiple years, including Mayville State University Foundation, North Dakota State University College of Business, and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its recent awards are all project-specific and tied to Scholarships and Leadership.
$3.2M
$50M
$2.9M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $150K and $250K, with a median of $200K.
25th Percentile
$150K
Median
$200K
75th Percentile
$250K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-value grants to a small number of recurring grantees within North Dakota; emphasis on multi‑award or multi‑year support for scholarship and leadership initiatives rather than many small, diverse grants.
Notable grantees: Mayville State University Foundation, North Dakota State University College of Business, University of Jamestown, University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines, Concordia College
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly in North Dakota: 92% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is ND. Recent recipients are spread across Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Dickinson, Bismarck, Mayville, and Minot. Outside North Dakota, the recent record includes Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. The grant list shows a strictly U.S. recipient footprint, with 38 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants are centered on higher education scholarships and leadership programs, especially at North Dakota colleges and universities. The record also points to support for professional schools and workforce pathways in business, engineering, law, and medicine.
The typical grant size is substantial: $150,000 at the 25th percentile, $200,000 at the median, and $250,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards include multiple grants in that range and above.
Its giving is heavily in-state, with 92% of grants going to recipients in North Dakota. The recent grant list also includes one recipient in Moorhead, Minnesota, showing that the portfolio is not limited entirely to North Dakota.
Yes. Several institutions appear across multiple years, including Mayville State University Foundation, North Dakota State University College of Business, University of Jamestown, University of North Dakota School of Medicine, and University of North Dakota School of Law.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation | Grand Forks, ND | $1,250,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Mayville State University Foundation | Mayville, ND | $500,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown, ND | $350,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Concordia College | Moorhead, MN | $300,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State University Foundation | Fargo, ND | $275,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation | Dickinson, ND | $250,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Mary | Bismarck, ND | $125,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation | Wahpeton, ND | $100,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Valley City State University Foundation | Valley City, ND | $60,000 | 2026 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Mayville State University Foundation | Mayville, ND | $400,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown, ND | $300,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Medicine | Grand Forks, ND | $200,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State University College of Business | Fargo, ND | $197,500 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Concordia College | Moorhead, MN | $180,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation | Fargo, ND | $160,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation | Dickinson, ND | $160,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Minot State University Development Foundation | Minot, ND | $150,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Law | Grand Forks, ND | $150,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines | Grand Forks, ND | $150,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Mary | Bismarck, ND | $120,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration | Grand Forks, ND | $100,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Valley City State University Foundation | Valley City, ND | $75,000 | 2025 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Mayville State University Foundation | Mayville, ND | $400,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State University College of Business | Fargo, ND | $375,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown, ND | $350,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Concordia College | Moorhead, MN | $350,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Law | Grand Forks, ND | $250,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Medicine | Grand Forks, ND | $200,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation | Dickinson, ND | $160,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines | Grand Forks, ND | $150,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Mary | Bismarck, ND | $150,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation | Fargo, ND | $100,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration | Grand Forks, ND | $100,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Valley City State University Foundation | Valley City, ND | $40,000 | 2024 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines | Grand Forks, ND | $450,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State University College of Business | Fargo, ND | $275,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation | Dickinson, ND | $250,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Mayville State University Foundation | Mayville, ND | $200,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Jamestown | Jamestown, ND | $200,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration | Grand Forks, ND | $200,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Medicine | Grand Forks, ND | $200,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of North Dakota School of Law | Grand Forks, ND | $175,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| University of Mary | Bismarck, ND | $170,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation | Fargo, ND | $150,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Concordia College | Moorhead, MN | $130,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Minot State University Development Foundation | Minot, ND | $125,500 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
| Valley City State University Foundation | Valley City, ND | $50,000 | 2023 | Scholarships and Leadership program. |
University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation
$1,250,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Mayville State University Foundation
$500,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation
$250,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation
$100,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Valley City State University Foundation
$60,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Mayville State University Foundation
$400,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Medicine
$200,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State University College of Business
$197,500Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation
$160,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation
$160,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Law
$150,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines
$150,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration
$100,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Valley City State University Foundation
$75,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Mayville State University Foundation
$400,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State University College of Business
$375,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Law
$250,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Medicine
$200,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation
$160,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines
$150,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation
$100,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration
$100,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Valley City State University Foundation
$40,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines
$450,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State University College of Business
$275,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation
$250,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Mayville State University Foundation
$200,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration
$200,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Medicine
$200,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
University of North Dakota School of Law
$175,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
North Dakota State College of Science and Alumni Foundation
$150,000Scholarships and Leadership program.
Scholarships and Leadership program.
Valley City State University Foundation
$50,000Scholarships and Leadership program.