Private foundation · EIN 54-1739798 · Alexandria, Virginia · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Delman Mortenson Charitable Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 21 grants paid, $755K total, median $20K. 38% of grants stayed in Virginia.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
21
$755K
Median grant
$20K
Stays in VA
38%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$13M

Grants paid in 2025

21 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Augustana CollegeSioux Falls, SDCharitable contribution$234K
Capital CaringAlexandria, VACharitable contribution$150K
House of RuthWashington, DCCharitable contribution$56K
The Seamen's Church InstituteNew York, NYCharitable contribution$51K
Scandinavian SeminarAmherst, MACharitable contribution$50K
Vesterheim Norwegian-American MuseumDecorah, IACharitable contribution$30K
The Lustgarten FoundationBethpage, NYCharitable contribution$25K
American Cancer SocietyOklahoma City, OKCharitable contribution$25K
Habitat for HumanityAtlanta, GACharitable contribution$20K
Alzheimer's AssociationFairfax, VACharitable contribution$20K
Coast Guard FoundationStonington, CTCharitable contribution$20K
The Cia Offices Memorial FoundationHerndon, VACharitable contribution$15K
Inova Health FoundationFalls Church, VAGeneral support$12K
Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyRickmond, VALight the night campaign$9,840
Thomas JeffersonCharlottesville, VACharitable contribution$9,735
Make a WishBethesda, MDCharitable contribution$9,735
St JudesMemphis, TNCharitable contribution$5,334
American Red CrossWashington, DCCharitable contribution$4,920
American Horticulture SocietyAlexandria, VACharitable contribution$4,920
Lee-Fendall House Museum and GardenAlexandria, VACharitable contribution$1,000
National Maritime Historical SocietyPeekskill, NYCharitable contribution$973

By state: South Dakota 1 · Virginia 8 · New York 3 · District of Columbia 2 · Massachusetts 1 · Iowa 1

About this foundation

Delman Mortenson Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, administered in care of Ellen Ridell, tax-exempt since 1995. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Delman Mortenson Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Delman Mortenson Charitable Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $755K across 21 grants, a median of $20K.

Where does Delman Mortenson Charitable Foundation give?

South Dakota (1 grants), Virginia (8 grants), New York (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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