Oleson Foundation
Accepts applications
Oleson Foundation is a private foundation in Traverse City, Michigan. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.6 million in 88 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $77,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.6 million
- Number of grants88
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$77,000
- Assets$36.4 million
- New grantees51%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.6 million the year before.
51% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.4 million | 71 | $30.3 million |
| 2024 | $1.6 million | 71 | $31.5 million |
| 2025 | $1.6 million | 88 | $36.4 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Ms Stephanie Rustem PO Box 904, Traverse City, MI 49685-0904 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (231) 929-2605 |
| What to submit | Application form posted on foundation's website |
| Deadlines | April 1st of each calendar year |
| Restrictions | Preference is given to charitable and exempt organizations which are located in northwestern lower Michigan. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Oleson Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Michigan.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 86 | $1.6 million |
| West Virginia | 1 | $20,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $850 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tart Trails | Three mile trail and director's fund | $77,000 |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center | Work with children who are victims of assault and general support | $76,000 |
| NW Mi Food Coalition | Food for families in need | $75,000 |
| Conservation Resource Alliance | Road stream crossing improvement and director's fund | $62,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan | Capital campaign: purchase street outreach vehicle and director's fund | $57,900 |
| Grace Episcopal Church | Jubilee house support and director's fund | $55,000 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | The ridge expansion and director's fund | $54,000 |
| Grand Traverse Bay YMCA | Capital campaign: child watch center upgrades and director's fund | $52,000 |
| Grass River Natural Area | Capital campaign: boardwalk construction | $50,000 |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Suttons bay forest | $50,000 |
| Norte | Bicycle pump track and director's fund | $42,500 |
| The Festival Foundation | In-kind rental | $36,040 |
| Cherryland Humane Society | Animal care and dog intake wing | $35,000 |
| Zonta Club of Traverse City | In-kind rental | $34,171 |
| The Watershed Center | Bay shoreline mapping and surveying | $34,000 |
| Northwestern Michigan College Foundation | Audio tech building and oleson center upgrades | $30,000 |
| Salvation Army Emmet County | Emergency assistance and support for families in need | $30,000 |
| The Rock of Kingsley | Technology for youth programs | $30,000 |
| Women's Resource Center | Helen's house staff support and director's fund | $27,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Middle school mentorship program and director's fund | $25,000 |
| Elk Rapids District Library | Library capital campaign | $25,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region | Construct homes in new waves community | $25,000 |
| Long Lake Township | Twin lakes dorm bathroom renovations | $25,000 |
| The Salvation Army - Traverse City | Emergency rental assistance and support for people in need | $25,000 |
| Traverse Symphony Orchestra | Audience chairs for new theater | $25,000 |
| Child & Family Services NW Mi | Child car seats and staff safety improvements and director's fund | $24,500 |
| Single Momm | Mentorship garden at new location and director's fund | $23,500 |
| 5 Loaves 2 Fishes | Purchase commercial dishwasher | $20,000 |
| Individual | Blessings in a backpack program and food for families in need | $20,000 |
| Little Traverse Bay Humane Society | Trap, neuter, release program for cats and animal care | $20,000 |
| North Central Michigan College Foundation | Mannequins for dental hygiene school | $20,000 |
| Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing | Supportive housing operations and programming | $20,000 |
| Women's Resource Center of N Michigan | Child care support and director's fund | $17,000 |
| Addiction Treatment Services | Purchase air conditioner | $15,000 |
| Boyne Heritage Center | Museum exhibit construction | $15,000 |
| Crosshatch | Capital campaign: outdoor classroom | $15,000 |
| Friendship Community Center Inc | Leelanau investing for teens (lift) programming in suttons bay | $15,000 |
| Seeds | Ecocorps training program | $15,000 |
| Father Fred Foundation | Emergency support for people in need and director's fund | $14,000 |
| Project Feed the Kids | Truck refrigeration system for food transport and director's fund | $11,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Stephanie Rustem
- Martha Oleson
- Donald M Oleson
- Richard Ford
- Donald W Oleson
- Gerald Oleson
- Connie Deneweth
- Brad Oleson
- Samantha Oleson-Hansen
- Benjamin Watts
Questions people ask
Does Oleson Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: April 1st of each calendar year.
How much does Oleson Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2025, across 88 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Oleson Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Stephanie Rustem (Executive Director), Martha Oleson (President), Donald M Oleson (Vice-President) and Richard Ford (Secretary) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does Oleson Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, youth programs and human services.