Private foundation · EIN 38-6071938

Besser Foundation

Accepts applications

Alpena, MI

Home › Michigan › Besser Foundation

Tax year 2025 (period ending 2025-12-31) · Filed with IRS 2026 · Data as of 2026-10-24 · View filing on ProPublica · Source: IRS e-file object 202611899349100021
Total assets (EOY)$18,702,391
Grants paid$768,227
Typical (median) grant$25,000
Grants listed17
Giving in home state (MI)100%

Grant size distribution

RangeGrants
Under $5K0
$5K–$25K7
$25K–$100K9
$100K+1

Smallest $5,000 · Largest $260,000

Geographic focus

MI
100%

Common purposes

improvementsoperationsexpensescapitalvictimshelterrenovationnortheastmaterialsmgmtexcellenceeducationcommunitycentermini

Giving history

Tax yearContributions paidTotal assetsGrants listed
2023$906,056$16,448,77320
2024$1,178,199$17,355,79416
2025$768,227$18,702,39117

Years shown are the filings ingested so far; more years are added as additional IRS batches are processed.

How to apply

ContactGARY DAWLEY
Address350 N SECOND AVE 701, ALPENA, MI, 49707
Phone9893566613
Form & materialsREQUESTS SHOULD BE IN WRITING AND INCLUDE PROOF OF 501(C)(3) STATUS.
DeadlinesREQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE END OF THE FIRST MONTH OF EACH CALENDAR QUARTER TO BE CONSIDERED BY
RestrictionsPROGRAMS AND PROJECTS RELATED TO THE WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS OF ALPENA AREA ARE OF PRIMARY CONCERN AND WILL RECEIVE PRIORITY. UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED BY A TRUSTEE, THE FOUNDATION WILL NOT CONSIDER GRANT REQUESTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE OF ALPENA; NOR FOR ENDOWMENT FUNDS, TO DEFRAY MEETING OR CONFERENCE EXPENSES, OR TO PAY FOR TRAVEL OF INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS. WE WILL NOT RELIEVE ORGANIZATIONS OR THE PUBLIC OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, NOR MAKE GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

Source: 990-PF Part XV line 2, tax year 2025.

Top recipients (tax year 2025)

RecipientLocationPurposeAmount
Besser MuseumALPENA, MIOPERATING EXPENSES$260,000
All Saints Catholic ChurchALPENA, MICAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS$75,000
Child & Family ServicesALPENA, MIOPERATING$50,000
Hope Shores AllianceALPENA, MIDV VICTIM SHELTER RENOVATION$50,000
City Of AlpenaALPENA, MINORTHEAST MI MATERIALS MGMT$50,000
Pace Northeast MichiganALPENA, MIGENERAL$50,000
Alpena Public SchoolsALPENA, MIEXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION$41,697
Boys & Girls Club Of AlpenaALPENA, MIOPERATING$40,000
Friends Of Alpena CourtsALPENA, MIGENERAL$25,000
Friends Of Hubbard Lake Comm CenterHUBBARD LAKE, MICOMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS$25,000
Alpena Public SchoolsALPENA, MIMINI-GRANTS$20,000
Boys & Girls Club Of AlpenaALPENA, MICLUB BIGS PROGRAM$20,000
Boys & Girls Club Of AlpenaALPENA, MIVOLUNTEEN PROGRAM$15,000
Child Advocacy CenterALPENA, MIOPERATIONS$15,000
Habitat For HumanityALPENA, MIGENERAL$14,030
Thunder Bay Arts CouncilALPENA, MIOPERATIONS$12,500
Friends Of Harrisville DepotHARRISVILLE, MICONSTRUCTION$5,000
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