Osilas Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Osilas Foundation is a private foundation in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.8 million in 34 grants; the typical grant was $9,000 and the largest $585,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.8 million
- Number of grants34
- Typical grant$9,000
- Largest grant$585,000
- Assets$40.8 million
- New grantees29%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.5 million the year before.
29% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5 million | 44 | $33.1 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million | 41 | $36.5 million |
| 2025 | $1.8 million | 34 | $40.8 million |
How to apply
Osilas Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Osilas Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Minnesota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 31 | $1.7 million |
| New York | 2 | $16,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| White Bear Lake Area Historical Society | General Operating | $585,000 |
| Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation | General Operating | $360,000 |
| Lakeshore Players Theatre | General Operating | $271,000 |
| White Bear Center for the Arts | General Operating/Heart 4 Art | $210,000 |
| Liberty Classical Academy | General Operating | $60,000 |
| Midwest Ski Otters | General Operating | $25,000 |
| YMCA of the North | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Dodge Nature Center and Preschool | General Operating/Night for Nature | $25,000 |
| White Bear Area Food Shelf | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Children's Perfoming Arts | General Operating | $20,000 |
| St Catherine University | General Operating | $15,000 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | General Operating | $15,000 |
| White Bear Lake Wooden Boat Show | General Operating | $15,000 |
| St Paul Gardens Club | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Park Square Theatre | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Solid Ground | General Operating/Every Family Needs a Home | $10,000 |
| Stages Theatre Company | Season of Celebration | $10,000 |
| White Bear Lake Rotary Foundation | General Operating | $8,000 |
| Minnesota Historical Society | General Operating | $7,500 |
| Como Friends | General Operating | $6,400 |
| City of White Bear Lake - Manitou Days | General Operating | $6,000 |
| Ordway Center for Performing Arts | 2025 Garden Gala | $5,000 |
| White Bear Lake Fireworks Fund | General Operating | $5,000 |
| St Paul Academy and Summit School | General Operating | $5,000 |
| Friends of the Mississippi | General Operating | $5,000 |
| Guthrie Theater | General Operating | $5,000 |
| Hope Academy | General Operating | $5,000 |
| White Bear Sailing School | New docks and instruction boats | $5,000 |
| City of White Bear Lake - Manitou Parade | General Operating | $2,415 |
| Nscda | Dumbarton House Fund for the Future | $2,000 |
| Animal Humane Society | 2025 Walk for Animals | $1,000 |
| Books for Africa | General Operating | $1,000 |
| EastChester Historical Society | General Operating | $1,000 |
| Courage Coalition | General Operating | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Silas M Ford III
- Olivia C Ford
- Kimberly Ford-Werling
- David C Ford
- Christopher Ford
- Olivia J Genereaux
- Nannette Bertschy
- Durand G Ford
- Robert Werling
- Margaret Ford
- Francois Bertschy
Questions people ask
Does Osilas Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Osilas Foundation give?
$1.8 million in tax year 2025, across 34 grants, with a typical grant of $9,000.
Who runs Osilas Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Silas M Ford III (President, Director), Olivia C Ford (Vice-President, Director), Kimberly Ford-Werling (Secretary, Director) and David C Ford (Secretary, Director) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does Osilas Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and environment and conservation.