Bentson Foundation
315 Lake Street East
Suite #302
Wayzata, MN 55391
Phone: (952) 923-1040
Email: jdutcher@bentsonfoundation.org
Grants
Our areas of giving include:
- Higher Education
- Public Health
- Arts and Humanities
Our primary geographic focus is Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and Santa Barbara, California.
The Bentson Foundation does not consider unsolicited requests for support.
Fiscal Year 2022
| Alpena Community College | $10,000 |
| Anishinabe Legal Services | $25,000 |
| Augsburg University | $60,000 |
| Augustana University | $30,000 |
| Avivo | $80,000 |
| Café Reconcile | $10,000 |
| California Fire Foundation | $7,500 |
| Children’s Minnesota | $500,000 |
| Direct Relief Ukraine Assistance | 100,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | $10,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Edible Schoolyard | $1,000 |
| Foodbank of Santa Barbara | $50,000 |
| French Quarter Festival | $5,000 |
| Friends of Education | $15,000 |
| Guild, Incorporated | $20,000 |
| Hope Academy | $150,000 |
| Hope Farm | $20,000 |
| Illinois College | $5,000 |
| International Rescue Committee | $10,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $25,000 |
| Market Umbrella | $1,000 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $10,000 |
| NAMI | $100,000 |
| New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Assistance Foundation | $5,000 |
| NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) | $10,000 |
| Northstar Scouting | $5,000 |
| Notes for Notes | $20,000 |
| NOVAC | $500 |
| Oasis for Youth | $5,000 |
| Partnership with Native Americans | $10,000 |
| Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre | $500 |
| People, Inc. | $225,000 |
| People Serving People | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood North Central States | $60,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $140,000 |
| Santa Barbara Arts Collective | $5,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl | $70,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Santa Cruz Foundation | $10,000 |
| Second Harvest Heartland | $550,000 |
| Second Harvest New Orleans | $50,000 |
| Sprout NOLA | $1,000 |
| Sugar Roots Farm | $1,000 |
| Touchstone | $278,000 |
| Turner Foundation | $10,000 |
| Turning Tables NOLA | $5,000 |
| Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities | $5,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $4,042,900 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | $5,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $365,500 |
| Winona State University | $40,000 |
| WWOZ | $10,000 |
| Total | $7,188,900 |
Fiscal Year 2021
| Ampersand Families | $15,000 |
| ATTACh | $5,000 |
| Augsburg University | $60,000 |
| Augustana University | $30,000 |
| California Fire Foundation | $7,500 |
| Catholic Charities | $20,000 |
| Culture Aid NOLA | $12,750 |
| Community University Health Care Center | $30,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $7,500 |
| Family Tree Clinic | $200,000 |
| Fraser | $150,000 |
| Friends of Education | $15,000 |
| Frontline Families | $20,000 |
| Gladewaves | $1,000 |
| Guild, Incorporated | $5,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity | $50,000 |
| Hope Academy | $25,000 |
| Hope Farm | $15,000 |
| Illinois College | $5,000 |
| Loaves & Fishes | $5,000 |
| Market Umbrella | $1,000 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $10,000 |
| Minneapolis Foundation – Restore, Rebuild, Reimagine Fund | $100,000 |
| NAMI | $150,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz Festival | $10,000 |
| New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Assistance Foundation | $20,000 |
| New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation | $12,750 |
| NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) | $10,000 |
| North Memorial Foundation | $5,000 |
| Notes for Notes | $20,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $5,000 |
| People Serving People | $15,000 |
| Pinewood Learning Center | $7,500 |
| Planned Parenthood North Central States | $35,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $140,000 |
| Reconcile New Orleans | $20,000 |
| Regions Hospital | $854,298 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital | $100,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | $10,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $4,889,500 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | $905,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $82,400 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $100,000 |
| Winona State University | $40,000 |
| World Kitchen | $10,000 |
| WWOZ | $35,000 |
| Total | $8,286,198 |
Fiscal Year 2020
| Allina Foundation – Caring for Caregiver’s Fund | $10,000 |
| Alpena Community College | $10,000 |
| Anishinabe Legal Services | $25,000 |
| ATTACh | $5,000 |
| Augsburg Fostering Graduate Scholarships | $105,000 |
| Augustana University | $30,000 |
| Café Reconcile | $10,000 |
| California Fire Foundation | $15,000 |
| Carmen Pampas Fund | $5,000 |
| Catholic Charities | $120,000 |
| Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation | $25,000 |
| Children’s Law Center of Minnesota | $25,000 |
| Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara | $18,750 |
| Doctors Without Borders | $10,000 |
| Down Syndrome Association of MN | $10,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Ellis Marsalis Center | $10,000 |
| Frontline Families Fund | $20,000 |
| Fraser | $150,000 |
| Fishes and Loaves | $250,000 |
| Foodbank of Santa Barbara | $18,750 |
| Friends of Education | $15,000 |
| Greater New Orleans Foundation | $50,000 |
| Guild, Incorporated | $5,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity | $40,000 |
| HOME Line MN | $25,000 |
| Hope Farm | $25,000 |
| Illinois College | $5,000 |
| International Rescue Committee | $10,000 |
| Krewe of Red Beans | $25,000 |
| Liberty’s Kitchen | $10,000 |
| Literacy Matters Foundation | $5,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $80,000 |
| Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid | $25,000 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $10,000 |
| NAMI | $50,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | $20,000 |
| New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Assistance Foundation | $45,000 |
| New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation | $25,000 |
| NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) | $10,000 |
| NOLA Tree Project | $25,000 |
| North Memorial Foundation | $5,000 |
| Partnership with Native Americans | $10,000 |
| People Serving People | $35,000 |
| Pi Beta Phi Foundation | $10,000 |
| Pinewood, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood North Central States | $10,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $135,000 |
| Regions Hospital Foundation | $101,430 |
| Santa Barbara Foundation | $50,000 |
| Santa Barbara County Food Rescue Network (CEC) | $50,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank New Orleans | $25,000 |
| Second Harvest Heartland | $1,005,000 |
| Sholom Foundation | $100,000 |
| Simpson Housing Services | $2,500 |
| Sojourner Project | $25,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | $5,000 |
| St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation | $50,000 |
| St. Stephen’s | $20,000 |
| Tubman | $25,000 |
| United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara | $18,750 |
| Unity Shoppe | $18,750 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $1,688,100 |
| University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology | $225,000 |
| Walker | $81,200 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $130,000 |
| Wilder Foundation | $250,000 |
| Winona State University Foundation | $40,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | $10,000 |
| World Savvy | $10,000 |
| WWOZ New Orleans | $25,000 |
| Youth Frontiers | $5,000 |
| Total | $5,548,230 |
Fiscal Year 2019
| Alpena Community College | $10,000 |
| Ampersand Families | $15,000 |
| ARC | $5,000 |
| ATTACh | $5,000 |
| Augsburg Fostering Graduate Scholarships | $135,000 |
| Augustana University | $25,000 |
| Café Reconcile | $10,000 |
| College Possible | $5,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | $5,000 |
| Ellis Marsalis Center | $10,000 |
| Fraser | $120,000 |
| CFriends of Education | $15,000 |
| Grow Dat Youth Farm | $10,000 |
| Guild, Incorporated | $10,000 |
| Holy Family Catholic High School | $10,000 |
| Hope Academy | $20,000 |
| Hope Farm | $10,000 |
| Illinois College | $5,000 |
| International Rescue Committee | $10,000 |
| Loaves and Fishes | $10,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $40,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $25,000 |
| Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation | $30,000 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $5,000 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $5,000 |
| Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge | $10,000 |
| Minnetonka Center for the Arts | $1,000 |
| NAMI | $50,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | $10,000 |
| NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) | $10,000 |
| NOCHI (New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute) | $50,000 |
| Notes for Notes (SB BOWL) | $25,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $20,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $10,000 |
| People Serving People | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood | $25,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | $15,000 |
| Prodeo | $20,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $100,000 |
| Proof Alliance | $5,000 |
| Regions Hospital Foundation | $1,000,000 |
| Regions Hospital Foundation | $123,145 |
| SBIFF – Field Trip to the movies | $10,000 |
| St. Joseph’s Home for Children | $5,000 |
| TMORA | $10,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | $500,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $1,951,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology | $225,000 |
| WWalker | $80,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children – Pathways program | $170,000 |
| Winona State University | $40,000 |
| WWOZ New Orleans | $5,000 |
| WWOZ New Orleans | $5,000 |
| Youth Frontiers, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Total | $5,020,145 |
Fiscal Year 2018
| Augsburg University | $60,000 |
| Café Reconcile New Orleans | $10,000 |
| College Possible | $256,000 |
| Direct Relief California | $30,000 |
| Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota | $20,000 |
| Fairview Foundation | $5,000 |
| Friends Of Education | $15,000 |
| Guild, Incorporated | $10,000 |
| Hope Academy | $20,000 |
| Illinois College | $5,000 |
| International Rescue Committee | $10,000 |
| Legacy Refuge | $5,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $50,000 |
| Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation | $30,000 |
| Minneapolis Foundation | $5,000 |
| NAMI – Minnesota | $25,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | $20,000 |
| The NOCCA Institute | $10,000 |
| North Memorial Foundation | $25,000 |
| New York University | $10,000 |
| People Serving People | $10,000 |
| Phillips Eye Institute | $200,000 |
| Pinewood, Inc. | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of MN/ND/SD | $45,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | $15,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $135,000 |
| Regions Hospital Foundation | $500,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Sierra Club | $10,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | $5,000 |
| St. Francis House | $10,000 |
| St. Joseph’s Home for Children | $5,000 |
| United Hospital Foundation | $500,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | $500,000 |
| University of Minnesota Bentson Scholars | $2,015,000 |
| University of Minnesota College of Education | $97,200 |
| University of Minnesota CIDRAP | $300,000 |
| University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy | $10,000 |
| University of Minnesota Law School | $10,000 |
| University of Minnesota School of Nursing | $1,000,000 |
| University of St. Thomas Dougherty Family College | $10,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology | $225,000 |
| Winona State University | $40,000 |
| World Savvy | $10,000 |
| Youth Frontiers, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Total | $6,348,700 |
Fiscal Year 2017
| ALS Minnesota/South Dakota/North Dakota | $5,000 |
| Ampersand Families | $10,000 |
| Augsburg Fostering Graduates Scholarships | $30,000 |
| Augustana University | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities | $10,000 |
| Carman Pampa Fund | $10,000 |
| College Possible | $250,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Fairview Foundation | $5,000 |
| Fraser | $10,000 |
| Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $10,000 |
| Guild, Incorporated | $10,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Santa Barbara | $25,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Twin Cities | $5,000 |
| Hope Academy | $14,000 |
| Hope House, Inc. | $11,000 |
| The Link | $5,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $50,000 |
| Minneapolis Swims | $10,000 |
| MN Adult and Teen Challenge | $5,000 |
| NAMI – Minnesota | $10,000 |
| New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | $10,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | $10,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $5,000 |
| People Serving People | $10,000 |
| Perspectives, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Phillips Eye Institute | $200,000 |
| Pinewood, Inc. | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of MN/ND/SD | $55,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | $15,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $135,000 |
| Reconcile New Orleans, Inc. | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative | $5,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara Firefighters Benevolent Fund | $20,000 |
| Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance | $20,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | $10,000 |
| St. Stephen’s Human Services | $10,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $1,360,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | $225,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $15,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $25,000 |
| Way to Grow | $10,000 |
| Winona State University Foundation | $40,000 |
| World Savvy | $10,000 |
| Youth Frontiers, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Total | $2,745,000 |
Fiscal Year 2016
| Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy | $3,000 |
| ALS Foundation of MN/ND/SD | $5,000 |
| Audubon Nature Institute | $12,500 |
| Augustana University | $25,000 |
| Bridging | $5,000 |
| Café Reconcile New Orleans | $10,000 |
| Catholic Charities | $20,000 |
| Channel Island Restoration | $7,500 |
| College Possible | $255,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| The Guild | $10,000 |
| Hope Academy | $20,000 |
| International Rescue Committee | $50,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $30,000 |
| Mercy House | $25,000 |
| Mental Health Resources | $100,000 |
| Minnesota Academy for the Blind | $10,000 |
| Minnetonka Center of the Arts | $2,000 |
| New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | $10,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz Festival | $10,000 |
| North Memorial Foundation | $10,000 |
| Notes for Notes | $35,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $5,000 |
| People Serving People | $10,000 |
| Phillips Eye Institute | $200,000 |
| Pinewood Inc. | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of MN/ND/SD | $35,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | $15,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $25,000 |
| Safe Families for Children | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara Film Festival | $20,000 |
| Santa Barbara High School Foundation | $10,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | $10,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $2,092,400 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | $225,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $363,000 |
| Washburn Child Center | $60,000 |
| Winona State University | $30,000 |
| World Savvy | $10,000 |
| WWOZ New Orleans | $10,000 |
| Youth Empowerment Project New Orleans | $10,000 |
| Total | $3,830,400 |
Fiscal Year 2015
| Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy | $3,000 |
|
Audubon Nature Institute |
$12,500 |
| Catholic Charities | $10,000 |
| College Possible | $5,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Hennepin Theatre Trust | $10,000 |
| Hope Academy | $6,000 |
| Indiana Maurer School of Law | $50,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $10,000 |
| Mental Health Resources | $100,000 |
| Minnesota Academy for the Blind | $10,000 |
| Museum of Russian Art | $35,000 |
| New Hope Church | $15,000 |
| New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | $75,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $10,000 |
| People Serving People | $5,000 |
| Phillips Eye Institute | $200,000 |
| Pinewood Inc. | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood | $35,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | $15,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $50,000 |
| Safe Families for Children | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation | $85,000 |
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital | $5,000 |
| Santa Barbara Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Summer Solstice | $5,000 |
| Simpson Housing Services | $4,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | $500,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $972,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $60,000 |
| Winona State University | $30,000 |
| World Savvy | $10,000 |
| WWOZ New Orleans | $10,000 |
| Total | $2,320,000 |
Fiscal Year 2014
| Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy | $3,000 |
Audubon Nature Institute | $12,500 |
| Catholic Charities | $10,000 |
| College Possible | $5,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Hennepin Theatre Trust | $10,000 |
| Hope Academy | $6,000 |
| Indiana Maurer School of Law | $50,000 |
| Lobero Theatre | $10,000 |
| Mental Health Resources | $100,000 |
| Minnesota Academy for the Blind | $10,000 |
| Museum of Russian Art | $35,000 |
| New Hope Church | $15,000 |
| New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | $75,000 |
| Oasis for Youth | $10,000 |
| People Serving People | $5,000 |
| Phillips Eye Institute | $200,000 |
| Pinewood Inc. | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood | $35,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of New Orleans | $15,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $50,000 |
| Safe Families for Children | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation | $85,000 |
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital | $5,000 |
| Santa Barbara Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Summer Solstice | $5,000 |
| Simpson Housing Services | $4,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | $500,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $972,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $60,000 |
| Winona State University | $30,000 |
| World Savvy | $10,000 |
| WWOZ New Orleans | $10,000 |
| Total | $2,320,000 |
Fiscal Year 2013
| Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy | $3,000 |
Audubon Nature Institute |
$12,500 |
| Augustana College | $25,000 |
| Beta Theta Pi – University of Minnesota Chapter | $7,000 |
| Catholic Charities | $10,000 |
| Channel Islands Restoration | $7,500 |
| Clean Water Fund | $10,000 |
| College Possible | $5,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Free Arts Minnesota | $10,000 |
| Indiana Maurer School of Law | $50,000 |
| Minneapolis Crisis Nursery | $10,000 |
| Mental Health Resources | $100,000 |
| Minnesota Academy for the Blind | $10,000 |
| Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians | $20,000 |
| Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge | $5,000 |
| Museum of Russian Art | $25,000 |
| New Hope Church | $15,000 |
| New York University | $550,000 |
| People Serving People | $5,000 |
| Pinewood Learning Center | $5,000 |
| Prodeo Academy | $25,000 |
| Safe Families for Children | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl | $90,000 |
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital | $15,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Smile Network | $5,000 |
| United Hospital | $1,758,748 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $575,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $575,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $75,000 |
| Wilderness Inquiry | $10,000 |
| Total | $4,058,748 |
Fiscal Year 2012
| Augustana College Association | $50,000 |
Courage Center |
$10,000 |
| Duluth Regional Care Center | $10,000 |
| Foundation for Managed Care Pharmacy | $3,000 |
| Friends of Ngong | $10,000 |
| Harriet Tubman Center | $5,000 |
| Lobero Theatre Foundation | $5,000 |
| Minneapolis Crises Nursery | $5,000 |
| Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge | $10,000 |
| Minnetonka Curtain Call Club | $5,000 |
| Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation | $2,000 |
| MN State Academy for the Blind | $10,000 |
| New York University | $60,000 |
| Oasis for Homeless Youth | $10,000 |
| Pavek Museum of Broadcasting | $100,000 |
| Pinewood, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Safe Families for Children | $40,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl | $25,000 |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Museum of Art | $75,000 |
| Springboard for the Arts | $10,000 |
| St. Joseph's for Children (Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis) | $5,000 |
| The Museum of Russian Art | $25,000 |
| United Hospital Foundation | $5,000,000 |
| United Hospital Foundation | $885,352 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $585,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $700,000 |
| Washburn Center for Children | $15,000 |
| Total | $7,675,352 |
Fiscal Year 2011
| Cottage Hospital Cardiac Care – Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 |
Cottage Hospital Pediatric Critical Care – Santa Barbara, CA |
$25,000 |
| Minnesota State Academy for the Blind | $25,000 |
| Minnesota Zoo | $25,000 |
| New Hope Church EFCA | $15,000 |
| New York University | $30,000 |
| Safe Families for Children | $5,000 |
| Smile Train | $5,000 |
| The Museum of Russian Art | $25,000 |
| University of California Santa Barbara | $10,000 |
| United Jewish Fund | $30,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | $25,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | $6,650,000 |
| Walker Art Center | $1,000,000 |
| Total | $7,880,000 |
Fiscal Year 2010
| Mount Zion Hebrew Congregation | $4,250,000 |
Sholom – Bentson Family Assisted Living Residence |
$3,000,000 |
| United Hospital – Endowment of the John Nasseff Neuroscience Institute | $3,000,000 |
| University of Minnesota – Gopher Football Stadium | $1,000,000 |
| Total | $11,250,000 |