The Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation concentrates its giving on local community well‑being in and around Granite Falls/Yellow Medicine County, supporting education, basic needs, and municipal recreation. The foundation repeatedly funds a small set of local recipients — notably high school scholarship programs, the public school district for educational needs, the city for recreation infrastructure, and the local food shelf — indicating a place‑based focus on youth opportunity and immediate community services.
A $25,000 scholarship grant to Yellow Medicine East Dollars for Scholars in 2025 is the clearest signal of how the Jeannette and Curt Olson Foundation gives: it backs local students, neighborhood services, and civic facilities in Granite Falls and the surrounding area. The foundation’s recent grants show repeated support for high school seniors through scholarship programs, along with funding for school-related educational needs at Yellow Medicine East. It also returns to practical community supports, including the Granite Falls food shelf, municipal recreation fields, and local health and senior-service organizations. The pattern is place-based and consistent, with grants flowing to a small circle of recipients that serve residents directly. Alongside education, the foundation supports the infrastructure of daily life in a small Minnesota community: parks, a dog park, ambulance services, elder care, and building repairs. This mix suggests a funder focused less on broad regional initiatives than on keeping essential local institutions functioning and accessible for Granite Falls residents.
Education is one of the foundation’s most visible priorities. In 2025, it gave $15,000 to Yellow Medicine East for educational needs, and it also supported Yellow Medicine East Dollars for Scholars with a $20,000 grant in 2024 for scholarships to high school seniors. A separate $4,000 grant in 2025 went to Minnesota West Foundation for scholarships. Basic needs appear in another recurring line of giving: Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf received $15,000 in 2024 and again in 2025 for feed the needy. The foundation also supports local civic and community assets. In 2025, Granite Falls Alano Society received $5,000 for roof replacement, while the City of Granite Falls received $6,000 in 2024 for a public dog park.
The foundation’s grant sizes are modest and clustered tightly around a few levels: the typical grant size is $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $4,000 at the median, and $5,250 at the 75th percentile. That pattern fits a local grantmaker making many small awards rather than a few large ones. Recipients reappear across multiple years, including scholarship, food shelf, recreation, and health-related organizations, which points to recurring support rather than one-time funding. The foundation is not reported to fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The recent record also shows a family foundation style of giving, with direct support to local organizations rather than through an application-driven public program.
$115K
$2.2M
$104K
$119K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, place‑based giving with multiple repeat grants to a handful of local organizations; grants are mid‑sized and targeted to program support and community capital (recreation fields) rather than broad national causes.
Notable grantees: Yellow Medicine East Dollars for Scholars, City of Granite Falls, Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf, Yellow Medicine East
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Minnesota: 97% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and the top giving state is also Minnesota. Most recent grants land in Granite Falls, including awards to the city, local schools, churches, the food shelf, and senior-service organizations. Outside Minnesota, only one recipient city appears in the recent grants list: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, through Avera Foundation for the Granite Falls Ambulance Fund. The country distribution is entirely domestic, with all grants going to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants center on local community well-being in and around Granite Falls, with repeated support for scholarships, school educational needs, the food shelf, recreation fields, elder services, and ambulance funding. The grant history shows a small set of recurring recipients serving residents directly.
Typical awards are small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $4,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,250. Recent grants include several $5,000 awards and multiple $15,000 grants, with a $25,000 scholarship grant as the largest recent award listed.
Yes. Scholarship support appears repeatedly in the recent grants list, including Yellow Medicine East Dollars for Scholars for high school seniors and Minnesota West Foundation for scholarships. The foundation has also funded Yellow Medicine East for educational needs, showing a broader education emphasis.
Minnesota is the main recipient state, with 97% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list is dominated by Granite Falls organizations, with one outside-Minnesota recipient in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Yes. Recent grants include support for Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf for feed the needy, Granite Falls Living at Home Block Nurse Program for health services to elderly residents, Avera Foundation for the Granite Falls Ambulance Fund, and the City of Granite Falls for recreation fields and a public dog park.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF GRANITE FALLS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $29,500 | 2026 | PUBLIC PARK IMPROVEMENTS |
| YELLOW MEDICINE EAST DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS |
| NEIGHBORS UNITED RESOURCE CENTER FOOD SHELF | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | FEED THE NEEDY |
| GRANITE FALLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE EAST | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL NEEDS |
| GRANITE FALLS LUTHERAN CHURCH | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| AVERA FOUNDATION | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $5,000 | 2026 | GRANITE FALLS AMBULANCE FUND |
| GRANITE FALLS LIVING AT HOME BLOCK NURSE PROGRAM | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | HEALTH SERVICES TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS |
| MINNESOTA WEST FOUNDATION | CANBY, MN | $4,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PROJECT TURNABOUT | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $3,000 | 2026 | RESIDENT ASSISTANCE |
| GRANITE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| PHEASANTS FOREVER | ST PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | YOUTH EDUCATION |
| GRANITE AREA ARTS COUNCIL | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PIONEER PBS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE YES HOUSE | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE EAST DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS |
| NEIGHBORS UNITED RESOURCE CENTER FOOD SHELF | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | FEED THE NEEDY |
| CITY OF GRANITE FALLS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | RECREATION FIELDS |
| GRANITE FALLS ALANO SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| AVERA FOUNDATION | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $5,000 | 2025 | GRANITE FALLS AMBULANCE FUND |
| YELLOW MEDICINE EAST | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL NEEDS |
| GRANITE FALLS LUTHERAN CHURCH | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| GRANITE FALLS LIVING AT HOME BLOCK NURSE PROGRAM | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH SERVICES TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS |
| GRANITE FALLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| MINNESOTA WEST FOUNDATION | CANBY, MN | $4,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GRANITE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| PROJECT TURNABOUT | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| CITY OF GRANITE FALLS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | KATHLEEN JORDAN PROJECT |
| PIONEER PBS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| GRANITE AREA ARTS COUNCIL | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE YES HOUSE | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE EAST DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $20,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS |
| CITY OF GRANITE FALLS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $15,000 | 2024 | RECREATION FIELDS |
| NEIGHBORS UNITED RESOURCE CENTER FOOD SHELF | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $15,000 | 2024 | FEED THE NEEDY |
| CITY OF GRANITE FALLS | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $6,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC DOG PARK |
| GRANITE FALLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE EAST | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL NEEDS |
| GRANITE FALLS LUTHERAN CHURCH | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| GRANITE FALLS LIVING AT HOME BLOCK NURSE PROGRAM | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | HEALTH SERVICES TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS |
| AVERA FOUNDATION | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $5,000 | 2024 | GRANITE FALLS AMBULANCE FUND |
| MINNESOTA WEST FOUNDATION | CANBY, MN | $4,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PROJECT TURNABOUT | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| GRANITE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ROSEVILLE, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | ASSIST THE NEEDY |
| GRANITE AREA ARTS COUNCIL | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE YES HOUSE | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| UNITED WAY OF SW MINNESOTA | MARSHALL, MN | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
CITY OF GRANITE FALLS
$29,500PUBLIC PARK IMPROVEMENTS
YELLOW MEDICINE EAST DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
$25,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
NEIGHBORS UNITED RESOURCE CENTER FOOD SHELF
$15,000FEED THE NEEDY
GRANITE FALLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$5,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
$5,000EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
GRANITE FALLS LUTHERAN CHURCH
$5,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
AVERA FOUNDATION
$5,000GRANITE FALLS AMBULANCE FUND
GRANITE FALLS LIVING AT HOME BLOCK NURSE PROGRAM
$5,000HEALTH SERVICES TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS
MINNESOTA WEST FOUNDATION
$4,000SCHOLARSHIPS
PROJECT TURNABOUT
$3,000RESIDENT ASSISTANCE
GRANITE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$3,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
PHEASANTS FOREVER
$2,500YOUTH EDUCATION
GRANITE AREA ARTS COUNCIL
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
PIONEER PBS
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
THE YES HOUSE
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
YELLOW MEDICINE EAST DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
$25,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
NEIGHBORS UNITED RESOURCE CENTER FOOD SHELF
$15,000FEED THE NEEDY
CITY OF GRANITE FALLS
$15,000RECREATION FIELDS
GRANITE FALLS ALANO SOCIETY
$5,000ROOF REPLACEMENT
AVERA FOUNDATION
$5,000GRANITE FALLS AMBULANCE FUND
YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
$5,000EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
GRANITE FALLS LUTHERAN CHURCH
$5,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
GRANITE FALLS LIVING AT HOME BLOCK NURSE PROGRAM
$5,000HEALTH SERVICES TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS
GRANITE FALLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$5,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
MINNESOTA WEST FOUNDATION
$4,000SCHOLARSHIPS
GRANITE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$3,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
PROJECT TURNABOUT
$3,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
CITY OF GRANITE FALLS
$2,000KATHLEEN JORDAN PROJECT
PIONEER PBS
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
GRANITE AREA ARTS COUNCIL
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
THE YES HOUSE
$2,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
YELLOW MEDICINE EAST DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
$20,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
CITY OF GRANITE FALLS
$15,000RECREATION FIELDS
NEIGHBORS UNITED RESOURCE CENTER FOOD SHELF
$15,000FEED THE NEEDY
CITY OF GRANITE FALLS
$6,000PUBLIC DOG PARK
GRANITE FALLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$5,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
$5,000EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
GRANITE FALLS LUTHERAN CHURCH
$5,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
GRANITE FALLS LIVING AT HOME BLOCK NURSE PROGRAM
$5,000HEALTH SERVICES TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS
AVERA FOUNDATION
$5,000GRANITE FALLS AMBULANCE FUND
MINNESOTA WEST FOUNDATION
$4,000SCHOLARSHIPS
PROJECT TURNABOUT
$3,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
GRANITE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$3,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
THE SALVATION ARMY
$2,000ASSIST THE NEEDY
GRANITE AREA ARTS COUNCIL
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
THE YES HOUSE
$2,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
UNITED WAY OF SW MINNESOTA
$2,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE