The Swenson Family Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts to faith‑aligned institutions and regional higher education, frequently funding capital projects, scholarships, and program support. Grants skew toward Christian churches, Bible camps and church construction as well as university STEM and scholarship initiatives, with occasional support for children's health services. Many recipients receive repeat, multi‑award support, indicating longstanding relationships rather than one‑off giving.
The Swenson Family Foundation’s recent record is anchored by repeated, high-dollar support for named scholarship and research programs at a small set of universities. University of Wisconsin Superior Foundation Inc appears again and again through the Swenson Scholars and annual scholarships/Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship awards, while University of Minnesota Duluth receives multiple program-focused grants tied to SAIL and Support the Cure. That pattern sits alongside large capital commitments for church construction and campus buildings, showing a portfolio that combines faith institutions, higher education, and selected youth-serving or health-related programs. Several grants are structured as multi-year pledges or installment payments rather than one-off checks. California Lutheran University received consecutive support for its science and engineering buildings, including a science building payment and scholarships/summer research support. Friends of Holy Innocents also received repeated funding for a new church and program support. The foundation’s giving extends to children’s mental health and navigation services through Choc Children’s Foundation and to scholarship support at Ocean Institute. Across the data, the foundation uses substantial grants to back specific facilities, scholarship cohorts, and program lines rather than broad unrestricted giving.
Higher education is a major lane for the Swenson Family Foundation. At University of Wisconsin Superior Foundation Inc, grants supported Swenson Scholars, annual Swenson Family Scholarships, and a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. California Lutheran University also received dedicated support for its scholarships/summer research program, alongside building-related gifts. Faith-based capital projects are another clear theme. Friends of Holy Innocents received funding marked only for the new church, with separate program support and later installment-style church payments. The foundation also backs youth and community-serving infrastructure. Big Sky Bible Church received multiple gifts for a camp cafeteria, including a final two-payments designation, and Ocean Institute received scholarship support in Dana Point. In health-related giving, Choc Children’s Foundation received support for WELL Corners/Spaces and a mental health navigation system.
$6.1M
$94.3M
$3.7M
$6.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $200K, with a median of $52K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$52K
75th Percentile
$200K
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Concentrated, high-value grants to a small set of repeat grantees; emphasis on capital/campaign gifts and named scholarships with multi‑year or multiple awards rather than many small, dispersed grants.
Notable grantees: University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Wisconsin Superior Foundation (Sadie Ann Scholars), Big Sky Bible Church, California Lutheran University (Swenson Science Building), CHOC Children's Foundation
Typical grants are sizable: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $51,512, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. The recent record shows many repeat recipients across multiple years, including the same universities, church partners, and health-related organizations, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation funds individuals and also uses project-specific, scholarship, operating, and capital-building support. A number of grants are phrased as pledge payments or annual installments, especially for buildings and scholarship programs.
Giving is national, but California receives the largest share of grants at 52%. Recent California recipients include Orange, Covina, Santa Ana, Thousand Oaks, and Dana Point. Outside California, repeated awards also land in Superior, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Big Sky Bible Church in Billings, Montana appearing in the recent record as well. All grants in the provided country distribution go to US recipients.
The recent grants cluster around universities, Christian churches, Bible camp infrastructure, and selected health-related organizations. Examples include scholarship and research support at University of Wisconsin Superior Foundation Inc and University of Minnesota Duluth, church-related funding for Friends of Holy Innocents, and capital support for Big Sky Bible Church and California Lutheran University.
Yes. The record shows multiple years of support for several recipients, including University of Wisconsin Superior Foundation Inc, University of Minnesota Duluth, California Lutheran University, Friends of Holy Innocents, and Big Sky Bible Church. Some awards are also written as installment or pledge payments, which reinforces the recurring pattern.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is relatively large: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $51,512, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. Recent awards also include several seven-figure gifts, especially for university programs and church or campus capital projects.
California is the top state by grant count, with 52% of grants going to recipients there. Recent California recipients include organizations in Orange, Covina, Santa Ana, Thousand Oaks, and Dana Point.
It funds individuals and institutions. The recent record includes scholarship support and named scholar programs such as Swenson Scholars, annual Swenson Family Scholarships, and scholarship support at Ocean Institute, alongside gifts to universities, churches, and children’s health organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,600,000 | 2026 | SWENSON SAIL PROGRAM 2025 |
| CHOC CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | ORANGE, CA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | WELLS SPACES 2025 |
| CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY | ORANGE, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | ENGINEERING BUILDING |
| FRIENDS OF HOLY INNOCENTS | COVINA, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | SCIENCE BUILDING |
| CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY | ORANGE, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | ENGINEERING BUILDING - 2024 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SUPERIOR FOUNDATION INC | SUPERIOR, WI | $218,041 | 2026 | 2025-2026 SWENSON SCHOLARS - 1ST SEMESTER |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SUPERIOR FOUNDATION INC | SUPERIOR, WI | $218,041 | 2026 | SPRING 2026 SEMESTER - SWENSON SCHOLARS |
| UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $132,000 | 2026 | GLENSHEEN, 2025 |
| THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION | ANDALUSIA, AL | $125,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OLIVE CREST | SANTA ANA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OCEAN INSTITUTE | DANA POINT, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LUTHERAN BIBLE TRANSLATORS | CONCORDIA, CA | $62,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HUNGRY FOR MUSIC | WASHINGTON, DC | $62,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ACHIEVEMENT INSTITUTE FOR STEM SCHOLARS | SANTA ANA, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | STEM SCHOLARS |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | CARES DAY- STUDENT EMPLOYMENT |
| CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH | SUPERIOR, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FIRST EVANGICAL COVENANT CHURCH | SUPERIOR, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COSTA MESA, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| CHOC CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | ORANGE, CA | $41,667 | 2026 | 2026 SURP AND BURST SUMMER RESEARCH |
| LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY | ORANGE, CA | $41,667 | 2026 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS/ENDOWMENT |
| CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY | ORANGE, CA | $41,667 | 2026 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS/HARDSHIP FUND |
| UNIVERSITY MN FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LIVING DESERT | PALM DESET, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | BOXES OF FOOD FOR CANCER PATIENTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SUPERIOR FOUNDATION INC | SUPERIOR, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | SURF SUMMER 2025 SCHOLARS |
| RAISING HOPE | ERIE, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO | SAN JUAN CAPO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PHIL'S FRIENDS | CROWN POINT, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY | ORANGE, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | LANCER LEGACY ENDOWMENT FUND |
| WORLD VISION | FEDERAL WAY, WA | $5,120 | 2026 | FOR WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | TEMPE, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHLORASHIPS FOR PIMA/AZU |
| ACROSS THE POND | IRON RIVER, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | VETERANS PARK IN IRON RIVER, WI |
| LA FIRE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS |
| UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,600,000 | 2025 | SAIL - 2024 |
| CHOC CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | ORANGE, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | WELL CORNERS/SPACES & MH NAVIGATION SYSTEM |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | ENGINEERING BUILDING - 2024 |
| FRIENDS OF HOLY INNOCENTS | COVINA, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED ONLY FOR THE NEW CHURCH - 2024 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SUPERIOR FOUNDATION INC | SUPERIOR, WI | $206,172 | 2025 | SPRING 2025 SWENSON SCHOLARS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SUPERIOR FOUNDATION INC | SUPERIOR, WI | $205,628 | 2025 | FALL 2024 SWENSON SCHOLARS |
| OLIVE CREST | SANTA ANA, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OPERATION INDEPENDENT 18-24 |
| OCEAN INSTITUTE | DANA POINT, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL DONATION |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $185,500 | 2025 | SPRING SWENSON SCHOLARS-2025 |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $185,500 | 2025 | FALL SWENSON SCHOLARS - 2024 |
| UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $143,573 | 2025 | SUMMER 2025 SURP & BURST |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $97,350 | 2025 | SUMMER 2025 SWENSON SCHOLARS |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $97,350 | 2025 | SUMMER 2024 SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COSTA MESA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GIFT- CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS -2024 |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | STUDENT EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT |
| GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH | DANA POINT, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL DONATION TO CHURCH |
| FIRST EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH | SUPERIOR, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL DONATION TO CHURCH |
UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH
$1,600,000SWENSON SAIL PROGRAM 2025
FRIENDS OF HOLY INNOCENTS
$500,000SCIENCE BUILDING
ENGINEERING BUILDING - 2024
2025-2026 SWENSON SCHOLARS - 1ST SEMESTER
SPRING 2026 SEMESTER - SWENSON SCHOLARS
UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH
$132,000GLENSHEEN, 2025
THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION
$125,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HUNGRY FOR MUSIC
$62,500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ACHIEVEMENT INSTITUTE FOR STEM SCHOLARS
$50,000STEM SCHOLARS
CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
$50,000CARES DAY- STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FIRST EVANGICAL COVENANT CHURCH
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$50,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
CHOC CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$41,6672026 SURP AND BURST SUMMER RESEARCH
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY
$41,667STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS/ENDOWMENT
UNIVERSITY MN FOUNDATION
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RAISING HOPE
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PHIL'S FRIENDS
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY
$15,000LANCER LEGACY ENDOWMENT FUND
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$5,000SCHLORASHIPS FOR PIMA/AZU
ACROSS THE POND
$5,000VETERANS PARK IN IRON RIVER, WI
LA FIRE FOUNDATION
$5,000FOR WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS
UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH
$1,600,000SAIL - 2024
FRIENDS OF HOLY INNOCENTS
$500,000TO BE USED ONLY FOR THE NEW CHURCH - 2024
UNIVERSITY MN DULUTH
$143,573SUMMER 2025 SURP & BURST
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$50,000GIFT- CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS -2024
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL DONATION TO CHURCH
FIRST EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL DONATION TO CHURCH