How to apply
Application form posted on foundation's website Contact: MS Stephanie Rustem, Po Box 904, Traverse City, Mi, 2319292605 Deadlines: April 1st of each calendar year Restrictions: Preference is given to charitable and exempt organizations which are located in northwestern lower michigan.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
Top 60 of 88 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tart TrailsTraverse City, MI | Three mile trail and director's fund | $77K |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy CenterTraverse City, MI | Work with children who are victims of assault and general support | $76K |
| Nw Mi Food CoalitionTraverse City, MI | Food for families in need | $75K |
| Conservation Resource AllianceTraverse City, MI | Road stream crossing improvement and director's fund | $62K |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern MichiganTraverse City, MI | Capital campaign: purchase street outreach vehicle and director's fund | $58K |
| Grace Episcopal ChurchTraverse City, MI | Jubilee house support and director's fund | $55K |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land ConservancyTraverse City, MI | The ridge expansion and director's fund | $54K |
| Grand Traverse Bay YMCATraverse City, MI | Capital campaign: child watch center upgrades and director's fund | $52K |
| Grass River Natural AreaBellaire, MI | Capital campaign: boardwalk construction | $50K |
| Leelanau ConservancyLeland, MI | Suttons bay forest | $50K |
| NorteTraverse City, MI | Bicycle pump track and director's fund | $43K |
| The Festival FoundationTraverse City, MI | In-kind rental | $36K |
| Cherryland Humane SocietyTraverse City, MI | Animal care and dog intake wing | $35K |
| Zonta Club of Traverse CityTraverse City, MI | In-kind rental | $34K |
| The Watershed CenterTraverse City, MI | Bay shoreline mapping and surveying | $34K |
| Northwestern Michigan College FoundationTraverse City, MI | Audio tech building and oleson center upgrades | $30K |
| Salvation Army Emmet CountyPetoskey, MI | Emergency assistance and support for families in need | $30K |
| The Rock of KingsleyKingsley, MI | Technology for youth programs | $30K |
| Women's Resource CenterTraverse City, MI | Helen's house staff support and director's fund | $27K |
| Big Brothers Big SistersTraverse City, MI | Middle school mentorship program and director's fund | $25K |
| Elk Rapids District LibraryElk Rapids, MI | Library capital campaign | $25K |
| Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse RegionTraverse City, MI | Construct homes in new waves community | $25K |
| Long Lake TownshipTraverse City, MI | Twin lakes dorm bathroom renovations | $25K |
| The Salvation Army - Traverse CityTraverse City, MI | Emergency rental assistance and support for people in need | $25K |
| Traverse Symphony OrchestraTraverse City, MI | Audience chairs for new theater | $25K |
| Child & Family Services Nw MiTraverse City, MI | Child car seats and staff safety improvements and director's fund | $25K |
| Single MommTraverse City, MI | Mentorship garden at new location and director's fund | $24K |
| 5 Loaves 2 FishesWelch, WV | Purchase commercial dishwasher | $20K |
| Benzie Area Christian NeighborsBenzonia, MI | Blessings in a backpack program and food for families in need | $20K |
| Little Traverse Bay Humane SocietyHarbor Springs, MI | Trap, neuter, release program for cats and animal care | $20K |
| North Central Michigan College FoundationPetoskey, MI | Mannequins for dental hygiene school | $20K |
| Northwest Michigan Supportive HousingTraverse City, MI | Supportive housing operations and programming | $20K |
| Women's Resource Center of N MichiganPetoskey, MI | Child care support and director's fund | $17K |
| Addiction Treatment ServicesTraverse City, MI | Purchase air conditioner | $15K |
| Boyne Heritage CenterBoyne City, MI | Museum exhibit construction | $15K |
| CrosshatchTraverse City, MI | Capital campaign: outdoor classroom | $15K |
| Friendship Community Center IncSuttons Bay, MI | Leelanau investing for teens (lift) programming in suttons bay | $15K |
| SeedsTraverse City, MI | Ecocorps training program | $15K |
| Father Fred FoundationTraverse City, MI | Emergency support for people in need and director's fund | $14K |
| Project Feed the KidsTraverse City, MI | Truck refrigeration system for food transport and director's fund | $12K |
| Cognition Science and Discovery CenterBeulah, MI | Purchase building blocks exhibit | $11K |
| Mana Food ProjectHarbor Springs, MI | Food distribution program and director's fund | $11K |
| 217 RecoveryTraverse City, MI | Purchase new vehicle for rides to addiction treatment | $10K |
| Camp Leelanau and Kohahna Fdn IncMaple City, MI | New safety equipment for high ropes course | $10K |
| Glen Arbor Art AssociationGlen Arbor, MI | New furnace and pottery wheels | $10K |
| Good Samaritan Family ServicesEllsworth, MI | Food for families in need | $10K |
| Groundworks CenterTraverse City, MI | Teaching kitchen technology upgrades | $10K |
| Health Department of Northwest MichiganCharlevoix, MI | Youth substance use prevention program | $10K |
| Inland Seas Education CenterSuttons Bay, MI | Inland seas ship repairs | $10K |
| Leelanau Christian NeighborsLake Leelanau, MI | Operating support | $10K |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness - Grand TraverseTraverse City, MI | Office furniture and updates | $10K |
| Northmen DenPetoskey, MI | Food for families in need | $10K |
| Northwest Michigan Community Action AgencyTraverse City, MI | Meals on wheels | $10K |
| Old Town PlayhouseTraverse City, MI | Purchase new microphones | $10K |
| Tc Paw Cat RescueTraverse City, MI | Cat veterinary expenses | $10K |
| Raven Hill Discovery CenterEast Jordan, MI | Wayfinding and interpretive signage | $7,000 |
| Council of Michigan FoundationsGrand Haven, MI | Membership dues | $6,500 |
| Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills IncBoyne Falls, MI | Adaptive ski equipment for people with disabilities and director's fund | $5,800 |
| Charlevoix Area Community PoolCharlevoix, MI | Pool sanitation system update | $5,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community FoundationEast Jordan, MI | Ice storm support | $5,000 |
By state: Michigan 86 · West Virginia 1 · District of Columbia 1
About this foundation
Oleson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Traverse City, Michigan, tax-exempt since 1962. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Oleson Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Application form posted on foundation's website Deadlines: April 1st of each calendar year.
How much does Oleson Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $1.6M across 88 grants, a median of $10K.
Where does Oleson Foundation give?
Michigan (86 grants), West Virginia (1 grants), District of Columbia (1 grants), per its latest filing.
More foundations near Traverse City that accept applications
All in Michigan| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Dunning Foundationsince 1997 | Traverse City, MI | $1.1M33 grants · 2025 | $30K | Yes | $25M |
| Les and Anne Biederman Foundationsince 1987 | Traverse City, MI | $489K41 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $7.3M |
| Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundationsince 1999 | Traverse City, MI | $523K38 grants · 2024 | $6,400 | Yes | $7.1M |
| Cosgrove Foundationsince 2017 | Traverse City, MI | $220K17 grants · 2025 | $11K | Yes | $6.8M |