John And Melissa Besse Foundation | Foundation Profile
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like John And Melissa Besse Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 20-3497950
Foundation Overview
Based in Wells, MI, John And Melissa Besse Foundation has awarded 144 grants totaling $4,890,896 to organizations in Wisconsin, Michigan and 1 other state across the US. Individual grants range from $300 to $850,000, with a median award of $5,000.
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
28 of 50 recipients (56%) were new grantees. Foundation actively seeks new partnerships to expand impact. Fresh approaches and innovative programs receive serious consideration.
Geographic Focus
85% of all grants are concentrated in Michigan, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Michigan, funding concentrates in Escanaba (50%), Gladstone (17%), Marquette (9%).
Funding Trajectory
Declining funding trend with 70% decrease over 8 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.
Program Areas
Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (59%). 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 John And Melissa Besse 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baraga County Community Foundation | $5,000 | Barage, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Escanaba Fire Department | $5,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable Support - Equipment | 2024 |
| Michigan Tech Fd | $340,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Endowed Scholarship Fund | 2024 |
| Northern Michigan University Foundation | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Educational | 2024 |
| Pregnancy Services Of Delta County | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $78,000 | Eagle River, MI, US | Outdoor Classroom | 2024 |
| Lakeview Cemetery | $8,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Life Link Iii | $10,088 | Minneapolis, MN, US | Educational | 2024 |
| Up Power Pink | $1,000 | Gwinn, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Youth Empowering Services | $1,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Michigamme - Spurr | $1,000 | Michigamme, MI, US | Equipment | 2024 |
| Community Foundation Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Redeemer Lutheran Church | $3,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Gladstone Schools | $300 | Gladstone, MI, US | Educational | 2024 |
| Bay Cliff Health Camp | $10,000 | Big Bay, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp | $5,000 | Crystal Falls, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Tri-county Safe Harbor | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Lakestate Industries | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Endowment Fund | 2024 |
| United Way Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Up State Fair Authority | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Community Foundation Of Marquette County | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Endowment Fund | 2024 |
| Superior Health Foundation | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Bay College Foundation | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Operations | 2024 |
| Holy Name Catholic School | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Baraga County Community Foundation | $5,000 | Barage, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Escanaba Fire Department | $5,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable Support - Equipment | 2024 |
| Michigan Tech Fd | $340,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Endowed Scholarship Fund | 2024 |
| Northern Michigan University Foundation | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Educational | 2024 |
| Pregnancy Services Of Delta County | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $78,000 | Eagle River, MI, US | Outdoor Classroom | 2024 |
| Lakeview Cemetery | $8,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Life Link Iii | $10,088 | Minneapolis, MN, US | Educational | 2024 |
| Up Power Pink | $1,000 | Gwinn, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Youth Empowering Services | $1,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Michigamme - Spurr | $1,000 | Michigamme, MI, US | Equipment | 2024 |
| Community Foundation Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Redeemer Lutheran Church | $3,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Gladstone Schools | $300 | Gladstone, MI, US | Educational | 2024 |
| Bay Cliff Health Camp | $10,000 | Big Bay, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp | $5,000 | Crystal Falls, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Tri-county Safe Harbor | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Lakestate Industries | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Endowment Fund | 2024 |
| United Way Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Up State Fair Authority | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Community Foundation Of Marquette County | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Endowment Fund | 2024 |
| Superior Health Foundation | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Bay College Foundation | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Operations | 2024 |
| Holy Name Catholic School | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2024 |
| Pregnancy Services Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2023 |
| Escanaba Twp Fire Department | $10,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable Support-equipment | 2023 |
| Baraga County Community Foundation | $5,000 | Baraga, MI, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Michigan Tech Fd College Forestry | $25,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Educational-equip For Forest Dept | 2023 |
| Northern Mi Univ Foundation | $200,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Educational-hockey Locker Room | 2023 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $1,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Educational | 2023 |
| Chassell Historical Organization | $55,120 | Chassell, MI, US | Charitable-board Walk Improvements | 2023 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2023 |
| Masonville Twp Fire Department | $5,500 | Rapid River, MI, US | Charitable Support-equipment | 2023 |
| City Of Gladstone | $25,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable-pickle Ball Courts | 2023 |
| Aquafest Inc | $7,000 | Rice Lake, WI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Barron County Pro Rodeo Inc | $2,500 | Ladysmith, WI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Delta Conservation District | $10,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Mi Tech Enterprise Corp Smartzone | $30,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2022 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $1,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2022 |
| Aquafest Inc | $7,000 | Rice Lake, WI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Barron County Pro Rodeo Inc | $2,500 | Ladysmith, WI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Delta Conservation District | $10,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Mi Tech Enterprise Corp Smartzone | $30,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2022 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $1,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2022 |
| Aquafest Inc | $7,000 | Rice Lake, WI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Barron County Pro Rodeo Inc | $2,500 | Ladysmith, WI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Delta Conservation District | $10,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Mi Tech Enterprise Corp Smartzone | $30,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Charitable Operations | 2022 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2022 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $1,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2022 |
| Bay De Noc Comm College Foundation | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Educational Scholarships | 2021 |
| Bay-lakes Council Boy Scouts | $5,000 | Appleton, WI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Community Foundation | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Delta Conservation District | $25,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Delta Conservation District | $15,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp | $5,000 | Crystal Falls, MI, US | Religious | 2021 |
| Holy Name Catholic School | $3,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Educational | 2021 |
| Houghton County Volunteer Fire Dept | $5,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Lakestates Industries | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Lakeview Cemetery | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2021 |
| Masonville Twp Fire Department | $6,000 | Rapid River, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Michigamme Museum | $1,000 | Michigamme, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Michigan Tech Fd College Forestry | $5,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Educational | 2021 |
| Northern Lights Ymca Of Delta Co | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Northern Mi Univ Foundation | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Educational Scholarships | 2021 |
| Northern Mi Univ Foundation | $5,000 | Marquette, MI, US | Educational Scholarships | 2021 |
| Pregnancy Services Of Delta County | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2021 |
| Salvation Army | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| St Vincent Depaul | $10,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| St Vincent Depaul | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $5,000 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2021 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $1,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2021 |
| Tri-county Safe Harbor Inc | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2021 |
| United Way Of Delta County | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Operations | 2021 |
| Up State Fair Authority | $50,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Bldg Improvements | 2020 |
| Up State Fair Authority | $50,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Bldg Improvements | 2020 |
| Up State Fair Authority | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Operations | 2020 |
| Shepherd Watch Community Center | $3,000 | Mattoon, WI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | $10,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Pregnancy Services Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Delta Conservation District | $25,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Houghton County Volunteer Fire Dept | $5,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Delta Conservation District | $25,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Masonville Fire Department | $5,000 | Rapid River, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| St Vincent Depaul | $5,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| St Vincent Depaul | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Salvation Army | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| United Way Of Delta County | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Operations | 2020 |
| Michigan Tech -college Of Forestry | $5,000 | Houghton, MI, US | Educational | 2020 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $1,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2020 |
| Tri-county Safe Harbor Inc | $5,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Charitable Support | 2020 |
| Holy Name Catholic School | $2,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Educational | 2020 |
| Rotary Club Of Escanaba | $350 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2020 |
| Tri County Safe Harbor | $2,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Operations | 2018 |
| Community Foundaton | $25,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Feed The Kids Program | 2018 |
| Trees For Tomorrow | $3,500 | Eagle River, WI, US | Operations | 2018 |
| City Of Gladstone | $200,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Sports Park Improvements | 2018 |
| Fire & Public Safety Depts | $300,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Operations | 2018 |
| Up State Fair Authority | $250,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Bldg Improvements | 2018 |
| Ice Age Trail Alliance | $2,500 | Madison, WI, US | Support | 2018 |
| Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club | $25,000 | Hancock, MI, US | Equipment | 2018 |
| City Of Gladstone | $83,800 | Gladstone, MI, US | Improvements | 2018 |
| Lakestate Industries | $1,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2018 |
| Bay College Foundation | $250,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Building Improvements | 2017 |
| Community Foundaton | $25,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2017 |
| Escanaba Rotary Trust | $20,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Child Special Needs/bldg Imp | 2017 |
| Escanaba Township | $850,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Fire Truck | 2016 |
| City Of Gladstone | $261,200 | Gladstone, MI, US | Firetruck, Playground, Pavillion | 2016 |
| Bay College Foundation | $600,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Building Improvements | 2016 |
| Community Foundaton | $25,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2016 |
| Village Of Matoon Wi | $2,000 | Matoon, WI, US | New Signage | 2016 |
| Up Honor Flight | $15,000 | Gladstone, MI, US | Support | 2016 |
| Delta County Cancer Alliance | $3,000 | Escanaba, MI, US | Support | 2016 |
| Butternut Booster Club | $1,200 | Butternut, WI, US | Support | 2016 |
Foundations Similar to John And Melissa Besse Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($11,677,085-$12,175,134), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in MI 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 |
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John D & Jean E Dinan Foundation
EIN: 38-3419348 | 539 grants awarded |
$11,930,168
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Montague Foundation
EIN: 38-3315791 | 295 grants awarded |
$11,893,422
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$2,500
median grant |
Ann Arbor, MI
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Eileen Devries Family Foundation
EIN: 38-3180271 | 133 grants awarded |
$11,854,358
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$10,000
median grant |
East Grand Rapids, MI
Same state |
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|
Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation
EIN: 38-6081311 | 449 grants awarded |
$12,175,134
(≈ Similar) |
$10,000
median grant |
Warren, MI
Same state |
|
|
The Burdick-thorne Foundation
EIN: 38-2904527 | 512 grants awarded |
$11,677,085
(≈ Similar) |
$4,125
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Kalamazoo, MI
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Related Foundation Resources in MI:
Contact Information
Official contact details for John And Melissa Besse Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 20-3497950 |
| Website | http://john-melissa-bessefoundation.org |
| Address | PO BOX 250 Wells, MI 49894-0250 |
Key People (3)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee John And Melissa Besse Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| President / Board Member | Gregory Besse |
|---|---|
| Secretary / Board Member | Cain Besse |
| Treasurer / Board Member | Raymond Delmont |
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 John And Melissa Besse 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
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Research Applications
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