Messer Family Foundation | Foundation Profile
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Messer Family Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 46-0437250
Foundation Overview
Based in Watertown, SD, Messer Family Foundation has awarded 78 grants totaling $160,579 to organizations in South Dakota, Illinois and 2 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $500 to $6,000, with a median award of $2,000.
Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot
Foundation Intelligence
Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies
New Applicant Friendliness
4 of 14 recipients (29%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.
Geographic Focus
68% of grants are awarded in South Dakota, with additional funding distributed across 3 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within South Dakota, funding concentrates in Watertown (79%), Sioux Falls (17%), Florence (4%).
Funding Trajectory
Stable funding levels with 3% change over 8 years indicate consistent grant-making capacity and predictable philanthropic resources. This stability suggests reliable ongoing funding opportunities.
Program Areas
Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on education (38%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.
Where is The Money Going?
Grants & Funding
Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Messer Family Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.
| Name | Amount | Location | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Techical College | $6,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2024 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $2,000 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2024 |
| Joy Ranch | $2,000 | Florence, SD, US | Horse Therapy Program | 2024 |
| Bramble Park Zoo | $1,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Program Services | 2024 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2024 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $1,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarship Program | 2024 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,000 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2024 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $6,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2024 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $2,000 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2024 |
| Joy Ranch | $2,000 | Florence, SD, US | Horse Therapy Program | 2024 |
| Bramble Park Zoo | $1,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Program Services | 2024 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2024 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $1,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarship Program | 2024 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,000 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2024 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarship Program | 2023 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2023 |
| Misericordia Foundation | $3,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration & Education | 2023 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $2,000 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2023 |
| Arrow Educational Foundation | $1,762 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarships | 2023 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,500 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2023 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,017 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2023 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $3,500 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2022 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $3,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarship Program | 2022 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2022 |
| Misericordia Foundation | $3,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration & Education | 2022 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,500 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2022 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2022 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $3,500 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2022 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $3,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarship Program | 2022 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2022 |
| Misericordia Foundation | $3,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration & Education | 2022 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,500 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2022 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2022 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $3,500 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2022 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $3,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarship Program | 2022 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2022 |
| Misericordia Foundation | $3,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration & Education | 2022 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,500 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2022 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2022 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2021 |
| Misericordia | $3,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration & Education | 2021 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $2,500 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2021 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $2,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration & Reflections Garden | 2021 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,500 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2021 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $1,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2021 |
| Last Alarm Foundation | $500 | Tucson, AZ, US | Administration | 2021 |
| Lake Area Techical College | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2020 |
| Watertown Senior High School | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarships | 2020 |
| Senior Companions Of South Dakota | $2,000 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration & Senior Care | 2020 |
| Misericordia | $1,500 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration | 2020 |
| Jenkins Living Center Foundation | $1,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration & Reflections Garden | 2020 |
| Kiwanis Educational Foundation | $1,000 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2020 |
| Last Alarm Foundation | $500 | Tucson, AZ, US | Administration | 2020 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $500 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2020 |
| Watertown High School | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarships | 2018 |
| Misericordia | $2,500 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration | 2018 |
| Lake Area Tech Foundation | $2,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2018 |
| Kiwanis Foundation | $2,000 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2018 |
| Jlc Foundation | $2,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration & Reflections Garden | 2018 |
| Friends Of The Goss Foundation | $550 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration | 2018 |
| Last Alarm Foundation | $500 | Tucson, AZ, US | Administration | 2018 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $500 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2018 |
| Watertown High School | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarships | 2017 |
| Misericordia | $2,500 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration | 2017 |
| Lake Area Tech Foundation | $2,500 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2017 |
| Kiwanis Foundation | $2,000 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2017 |
| Jlc Foundation | $2,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration & Reflections Garden | 2017 |
| Friends Of The Goss Foundation | $750 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration | 2017 |
| Last Alarm Foundation | $500 | Tucson, AZ, US | Administration | 2017 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $500 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2017 |
| Watertown High School | $3,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Scholarships | 2016 |
| Kiwanis Foundation | $3,000 | Rochester, MN, US | Scholarships | 2016 |
| Misericordia | $2,500 | Chicago, IL, US | Administration | 2016 |
| Jlc Foundation | $2,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Administration & Reflections Garden | 2016 |
| Lake Area Tech Foundation | $2,000 | Watertown, SD, US | Nursing Scholarships | 2016 |
| Last Alarm Foundation | $1,000 | Tucson, AZ, US | Administration | 2016 |
| Senior Companions Of Sd | $500 | Sioux Falls, SD, US | Administration | 2016 |
| Watertown Regional Library | $500 | Watertown, SD, US | Children's Reading Program | 2016 |
Foundations Similar to Messer Family Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($291,140-$360,512), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in SD that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.
| Foundation Name | Total Assets | Typical Grant Size | Service Area | Similarity Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Blanche Doolittle Private Foundation
EIN: 46-6056120 | 60 grants awarded |
$329,703
(≈ Similar) |
$2,500
median grant |
Sioux Falls, SD
Same state |
|
|
Yasha Foundation
EIN: 35-2462359 | 44 grants awarded |
$334,060
(≈ Similar) |
$1,500
median grant |
Dakota Dunes, SD
Same state |
|
|
The Buettner Family Foundation
EIN: 27-6795148 | 419 grants awarded |
$335,209
(≈ Similar) |
$1,000
median grant |
Sioux Falls, SD
Same state |
|
|
Timothy A & Mona A Ness
EIN: 93-3456631 | 8 grants awarded |
$360,512
(≈ Similar) |
$2,100
median grant |
Sioux Falls, SD
Same state |
|
|
Christiansen Family Foundation
EIN: 39-1893179 | 10 grants awarded |
$291,140
(≈ Similar) |
$2,250
median grant |
Dakota Dunes, SD
Same state |
|
Related Foundation Resources in SD:
Contact Information
Official contact details for Messer Family Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 46-0437250 |
| Website | N/A |
| Address | PO BOX 1267 Watertown, SD 57201-6267 |
Key People (12)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Messer Family Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| President | Dr Joseph V Messer |
|---|---|
| Vice Preside | Joseph S Messer |
| Secretary | Patricia K Weber |
| Treasurer | Kari Mcadams Copelin |
| Director | Stephen P Mcadams |
Forms 990-PF
IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.
Form 990-PF Research Tips
- Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
- Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
- Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
- Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns
About This Foundation Profile
This comprehensive foundation profile for Messer Family Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.
Data Sources & Accuracy
All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.
Research Applications
Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.