Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 83-4534853

Foundation Overview

Based in Elk River, MN, Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation has awarded 163 grants totaling $3,040,598 to organizations in Minnesota, Utah and 6 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $200 to $350,000, with a median award of $3,510.

Latest Tax Year
2024
Total Giving (all years)
$3,040,598
Total Assets
$4,828,139
Median Grant (all grants)
$3,510

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
32
Median Grant
$2,000
% Median Grant Decline
-80% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Growth-Minded: 63%

20 of 32 recipients (63%) were new grantees. Foundation actively seeks new partnerships to expand impact. Fresh approaches and innovative programs receive serious consideration.

Geographic Focus
Minnesota

91% of all grants are concentrated in Minnesota, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Minnesota, funding concentrates in Elk River (39%), Minneapolis (15%), Big Lake (6%).

Funding Trajectory
+44%

Moderate 44% growth trend over 4 years suggests stable and gradually increasing funding capacity. This positive trajectory indicates reliable grant-making resources and sustainable philanthropic commitment.

Program Areas
General Purposes + 2 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (67%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Carlson Family Lightshield 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
Big Lake Community Food Shelf $12,500 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2024
Caer Food Shelf Aka Community Aid Elk River $12,500 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2024
Gateway Church $153,466 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2024
Mn Adult Teen Challenge $25,500 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2024
Thumbs Up High $5,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2024
American Legion $1,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2024
All Nations New Life $5,000 Warroad, MN, US General Support 2024
Hunter Houle Memorial Foundation $10,000 Forest Lake, MN, US General Support 2024
Fishing For Life $10,000 Minneapols, MN, US General Support 2024
Childrens Cancer Research Fund $2,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2024
St Judes $17,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2024
Minnesota Fca $10,000 Arden Hllls, MN, US General Support 2024
Nisswa Fire Department $500 Nisswa, MN, US General Support 2024
River Of Hope $1,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2024
Central Lake College $1,000 Brainerd, MN, US General Support 2024
Backing The Blue Line $500 Bloomington, MN, US General Support 2024
Big Lake Bass Team $1,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2024
Anoka Technical College $2,000 Anoka, MN, US General Support 2024
Breezy Point 5k $500 Duluth, MN, US General Support 2024
Vietnam Veterans Of America $1,000 Silver Spring, MD, US General Support 2024
Central Minnesota Christian School $500 Prinsburg, MN, US General Support 2024
Elks Club $500 Maple Grove, MN, US General Support 2024
World Harvest Network $5,000 Inver Grive Heights, MN, US General Support 2024
Cook Lions Club Flood Relief $3,510 Cook, MN, US General Support 2024
Livin Foundation $1,000 Anoka, MN, US General Support 2024
City Of Big Lake Financehuman Resourses Department $25,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2024
Zimmerman Archery Club $500 Zimmerman, MN, US General Support 2024
Covenant Christian Academy $350,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2024
Srp Critical Response Team $5,000 Los Angeles, CA, US General Support 2024
The Front Line Foundation $1,139 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2024
Bethany Haugen $520 Cambridge, MN, US General Support 2024
Achieve Services $1,033 Blaine, MN, US General Support 2024
Big Lake Community Food Shelf $12,500 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2023
Caer Food Shelf Aka Community Aid Elk River $12,500 Elk River, MN, US Kidz Kitz 2023
Gateway Church $150,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2023
Mn Adult Teen Challenge $40,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support, Covid Relief & Lakeside Entry Arch Support 2023
Thumbs Up High $5,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2023
American Legion $1,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2023
All Nations New Life $25,000 Warroad, MN, US General Support 2023
Gustavus Adolphus College $5,000 Saint Peter, MN, US General Support 2023
Concordia University $5,000 Saint Paul, MN, US General Support 2023
Turning Point $50,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2023
Hunter Hoult Memorial Foundation $10,000 Forest Lake, MN, US General Support 2023
Fishing For Life $20,000 Minneapols, MN, US General Support 2023
University Of St Thomas $2,000 Saint Paul, MN, US General Support 2023
Isd $3,400 Independence, MO, US General Support 2023
Christ Church $500 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2023
Midwest Ride In $10,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2023
Childrens Cancer Research Fund $2,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2023
St Judes $15,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2023
Holly Mogler $2,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2023
Minnesota Fca $10,000 Arden Hills, MN, US General Support 2023
Bame Foundation $500 Golden Valley, MN, US General Support 2022
Big Lake Community Food Shelf $10,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2022
Caer Food Shelf Aka Community Aid Elk River $25,000 Elk River, MN, US Kidz Kitz 2022
Gateway Church $200,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Fellowship Of Christian Athletes $15,000 Kansas City, MO, US General Support 2022
Mn Adult Teen Challenge $30,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support, Covid Relief & Lakeside Entry Arch Support 2022
Thumbs Up High $5,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Annie Riley $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Malvig Family $500 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Thom Ott Memorial $200 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Jesse Hooper $200 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Angel Foundation-grace Beck $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Oak Hills Fellowship Inc $27,500 Warroad, MN, US All Nations New Life Center 2022
Abba Corporation Aka Elevier Women's Center $10,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Survival Pac $5,000 Oak Grove, MN, US General Support 2022
True Hope $1,000 St Michael, MN, US Ukraine Missions 2022
World Central Kitchen $1,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Snowmobile Hall Of Fame $1,000 St Germain, WI, US General Support 2022
American Legion $1,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Angle Inlet Elementary $500 Angle Inlet, MN, US General Support 2022
Achieve Services Inc $5,000 Blaine, MN, US General Support 2022
Rachel Foundation $500 St Michael, MN, US General Support 2022
Bame Foundation $500 Golden Valley, MN, US General Support 2022
Big Lake Community Food Shelf $10,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2022
Caer Food Shelf Aka Community Aid Elk River $25,000 Elk River, MN, US Kidz Kitz 2022
Gateway Church $200,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Fellowship Of Christian Athletes $15,000 Kansas City, MO, US General Support 2022
Mn Adult Teen Challenge $30,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support, Covid Relief & Lakeside Entry Arch Support 2022
Thumbs Up High $5,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Annie Riley $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Malvig Family $500 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Thom Ott Memorial $200 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Jesse Hooper $200 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Angel Foundation-grace Beck $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Oak Hills Fellowship Inc $27,500 Warroad, MN, US All Nations New Life Center 2022
Abba Corporation Aka Elevier Women's Center $10,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Survival Pac $5,000 Oak Grove, MN, US General Support 2022
True Hope $1,000 St Michael, MN, US Ukraine Missions 2022
World Central Kitchen $1,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Snowmobile Hall Of Fame $1,000 St Germain, WI, US General Support 2022
American Legion $1,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Angle Inlet Elementary $500 Angle Inlet, MN, US General Support 2022
Achieve Services Inc $5,000 Blaine, MN, US General Support 2022
Rachel Foundation $500 St Michael, MN, US General Support 2022
Bame Foundation $500 Golden Valley, MN, US General Support 2022
Big Lake Community Food Shelf $10,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2022
Caer Food Shelf Aka Community Aid Elk River $25,000 Elk River, MN, US Kidz Kitz 2022
Gateway Church $200,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Fellowship Of Christian Athletes $15,000 Kansas City, MO, US General Support 2022
Mn Adult Teen Challenge $30,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support, Covid Relief & Lakeside Entry Arch Support 2022
Thumbs Up High $5,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Annie Riley $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Malvig Family $500 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Thom Ott Memorial $200 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Jesse Hooper $200 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Angel Foundation-grace Beck $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2022
Oak Hills Fellowship Inc $27,500 Warroad, MN, US All Nations New Life Center 2022
Abba Corporation Aka Elevier Women's Center $10,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Survival Pac $5,000 Oak Grove, MN, US General Support 2022
True Hope $1,000 St Michael, MN, US Ukraine Missions 2022
World Central Kitchen $1,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Snowmobile Hall Of Fame $1,000 St Germain, WI, US General Support 2022
American Legion $1,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2022
Angle Inlet Elementary $500 Angle Inlet, MN, US General Support 2022
Achieve Services Inc $5,000 Blaine, MN, US General Support 2022
Rachel Foundation $500 St Michael, MN, US General Support 2022
Big Lake Community Food Shelf $5,000 Big Lake, MN, US General Support 2021
Billy Sanderson $1,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2021
Children's Cancer Research $500 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2021
City Of Elk River $57,500 Elk River, MN, US Dock Project 2021
Community Aid Elk River $25,000 Elk River, MN, US Kidz Kitz 2021
Fishing For Life $35,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2021
Gateway Church $290,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2021
Ignacio Calderon $250 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2021
Jan Wlaschin $500 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2021
Ken Mitchell $2,200 Elk River, MN, US Postcard Ministry 2021
Livin Fdn $5,000 Anoka, MN, US 2021 Livin Music Festival 2021
Michael Willem $2,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2021
Minnesota Fca $10,000 Ramsey, MN, US General Support 2021
Mn Adult Teen Challenge (lakeside Academy) $25,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support, Covid Relief & Lakeside Entry Arch Support 2021
Nazarene Fund $1,000 Eagle Mountain, UT, US General Support 2021
Paul Hanson's Family $5,000 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2021
Racers For Christ $1,000 Tempe, AZ, US Dirt Sport Ministries 2021
St Jude And The Dylan Witschen Foundation $500 Andover, MN, US General Support 2021
Stma Breakfast Club $40,000 Albertville, MN, US General Support 2021
Suicide Awareness Voices Of Education $1,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2021
Bame Foundation $500 Golden Valley, MN, US General Support 2021
Family Enhancement Center $500 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2021
Thumbs Up High $500 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2021
2 Wheels 4 Heros $5,000 East Bethel, MN, US General Support 2020
Abba Corp $10,000 Elk River, MN, US New Building Fund 2020
Achieve Services $25,000 Blaine, MN, US General Support 2020
City Joy $8,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2020
Community Aid Elk River $16,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2020
Elks Qb Club $500 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2020
Fishing For Life $25,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2020
Gateway Ch $250,000 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2020
Harvest Ministries $18,500 Ramsey, MN, US General Support 2020
Hunter Houle Mem Fdn $25,000 Forest Lake, MN, US General Support 2020
Livin Fdn $10,000 Anoka, MN, US 2020 Livin Music Festival 2020
Minnesota Fca $10,000 Ramsey, MN, US Support For Zach Hansen And North Metro Camp Scholarship Fund 2020
Mn Adult Teen Challenge (lakeside Academy) $49,500 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support, Covid Relief & Lakeside Entry Arch Support 2020
Regents Of The Univ Of Mn $1,330 East Bethel, MN, US Lodging For Youth Deer Program 2020
Thumbs Up High 5k $500 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2020
American Cancer Society $500 Eagan, MN, US General Support 2020
Community Table Inc $750 Elk River, MN, US General Support 2020
United Hospital Foundation $500 St Paul, MN, US General Support 2020
Ymca Of Greater Twin Cities $1,000 Minneapolis, MN, US General Support 2020
Jim Johnson $250 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2020
Kevin Markuson $550 Elk River, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2020
Raycer Frank $5,000 New London, MN, US Financial Need Grant 2020

Foundations Similar to Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($4,653,312-$4,958,418), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in MN 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

EIN: 81-2743272 | 108 grants awarded
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EIN: 41-6021773 | 390 grants awarded
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EIN: 82-4916970 | 124 grants awarded
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EIN: 41-1925877 | 303 grants awarded
$4,958,418
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Same state
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EIN: 41-1637573 | 318 grants awarded
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Contact Information

Official contact details for Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 83-4534853
Website https://www.lightshieldfoundation.org/
Address 11591 217TH AVE NW Elk River, MN 55330-1263

Key People (4)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Carlson Family Lightshield Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President & Director Christopher D Carlson
Vice President & Director Debra L Carlson
Treasurer & Director Taylor G Schroer
Secretary & Director Andrew C Carlson

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 Carlson Family Lightshield 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.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.