Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only - no public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations only)
• Grant Range: $75,000 - $400,000
• Geographic Focus: North Dakota (exclusively)

Contact Details

• Website: None available
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Address: 19 Inland Hills Ct, Grand Forks, ND 58201

Overview

The Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2011 with approximately $64 million in assets, making it one of North Dakota's significant educational philanthropies. Founded through the estate of Edson Larson (1923-2008) and his wife Margaret Brunsdale Larson (1925-2019), the foundation exclusively supports higher education institutions in North Dakota. Edson was a World War II veteran and farmer from Mayville who graduated from UND in 1951, while Margaret was the daughter of former North Dakota Governor and U.S. Senator Clarence Norman Brunsdale. The foundation operates with minimal staffing and works only with preselected charitable organizations, having made 12 grants in its most recent reporting year with a median grant size of $160,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports established scholarship and institutional programs at North Dakota universities:

• Institutional Support Grants: $75,000 - $400,000 (capital projects, program development)
• Named Scholarship Programs: Amounts vary by institution (typically $2,500-$5,000 per student)
• Leadership Development Initiatives: Support for leadership centers and programs
• Rural Professional Development: Medical and legal education for rural practice

Priority Areas

• Higher education scholarships for North Dakota students
• Leadership development programs at state universities
• Rural medicine education (ROME program at UND)
• Rural legal services education
• Academic excellence support (minimum 3.25 GPA requirement typical)
• National security research and education

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside North Dakota
• Non-educational entities
• K-12 education
• Individual requests
• Unsolicited proposals from any organization

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with limited or no paid staffing, functioning through trustee discretion. Founded through the estates of Edson G. Larson and Margaret Brunsdale Larson, the foundation reflects their lifelong commitment to North Dakota higher education. Margaret stated in her lifetime: "She and Edson strongly supported higher education locally, statewide and in Minnesota. Many students will continue to benefit from their generosity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to their tax filings, they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and don't accept unsolicited applications for funds." All grants are made through trustee discretion to predetermined recipients.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation works exclusively with established North Dakota higher education institutions. Current grant recipients include:

• University of North Dakota (multiple departments)
• North Dakota State University
• Mayville State University
• Minot State University
• Valley City State University

Universities seeking support must have existing relationships with the foundation's trustees. The foundation appears to identify new initiatives through its existing institutional partners rather than through direct outreach.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations only.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - ongoing support appears to be based on trustee discretion and existing relationships.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, institutions currently receiving support share these characteristics:

• North Dakota public universities with strong regional ties
• Programs that benefit North Dakota residents
• Emphasis on leadership development and rural community service
• Support for high-achieving students (3.25+ GPA requirements common)
• Programs that honor the Larson family legacy in agriculture, education, and public service
• Initiatives that address rural workforce needs (medicine, law, education)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - all grants are by invitation only
• Focus exclusively on North Dakota higher education institutions
• Strong preference for programs supporting North Dakota students, particularly those from rural areas
• Emphasis on leadership development and academic excellence (3.25+ GPA typical)
• The foundation supports both capital projects (like the $340,000 Larson Alumni Center at Mayville State) and ongoing scholarship programs
• Rural professional development (medicine and law) aligns strongly with foundation priorities
• The foundation values long-term institutional relationships over one-time grants

References

• CauseIQ Foundation Profile. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/edson-and-margaret-larson-foundation,271507358/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Edson and Margaret Larson Foundation Form 990-PF filings. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/271507358
• Candid Foundation Directory Profile. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=EDSO005
• Mayville State University Foundation: Edson and Margaret Larson Annual Scholarship. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://mayvillestate.edu/alumni-friends/msu-foundation-scholarships/edson-and-margaret-larson-annual-scholarship/
• University of North Dakota School of Law: Larson Foundation North Dakota Summer Rural Justice Scholarship. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://law.und.edu/academics/larson-foundation-rural-justice-sholarship.html
• Minot State University: Larson Leadership Scholars Program. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.minotstateu.edu/leadership/scholars.shtml
• Margaret Larson Obituary. Baker Funeral Home, May 2019. https://www.bakerfuneral.com/obituaries/margaret-larson
• Edson Larson Obituary. Baker Funeral Home, July 2008. https://www.bakerfuneral.com/obituaries/245187