funder-graph

FundersMI

Grants paid by John & Melissa Besse Foundation

EIN 20-3497950 · Wells, MI · Form 990-PF, Part XV · NTEE T22

John & Melissa Besse Foundation of Wells, MI (EIN 20-3497950) reported 127 grants paid totaling $2,564,908 to 62 recipients in tax years 2018–2025, on Form 990-PF, Part XV. Derived from IRS e-file data, dataset version 2026.09.0, built 2026-09-03.

Grants paid

$2,564,908

127 grants

Recipients

62

distinct organizations

Tax years

2018–2025

7 filings in the corpus

By tax year

Grants by tax year, as the same figures
Tax yearGrants paidAmount paidApproved for future
201810$892,800
202019$221,850
202126$181,850
20226$51,350
202310$332,470
202425$527,738
202531$356,850

Top recipients

The 62 recipients receiving the most from John & Melissa Besse Foundation, by grants paid, out of 62 distinct recipients.

Recipients ranked by total grants paid
RecipientMatchLocationGrantsTotal paidLatest year
Michigan Tech Fd 38-1554664CHoughton, MI2$450,0002025
Up State Fair AuthorityUEscanaba, MI6$370,0002025
City of GladstoneUGladstone, MI3$308,8002023
Fire & Public Safety DeptsUGladstone, MI1$300,0002018
Northern Mi Univ Foundation 23-7034523DMarquette, MI5$220,0002025
Trees for TomorrowUEagle River, MI2$134,5002025
Delta Conservation DistrictUGladstone, MI5$100,0002022
Chassell Historical Organization 38-3068706BChassell, MI1$55,1202023
Marquette City Band 38-2694178BMarquette, MI1$45,0002025
Pregnancy Services of Delta County 38-2579636BEscanaba, MI5$43,0002025
Mi Tech Enterprise Corp SmartzoneUHoughton, MI1$30,0002022
Michigan Tech Fd College ForestryUHoughton, MI2$30,0002023
St Vincent DepaulUGladstone, MI4$30,0002021
Tri-County Safe Harbor Inc 38-2441878BEscanaba, MI5$27,0002025
Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club 38-2707617DHancock, MI1$25,0002018
United Way of Delta County 38-1740320BEscanaba, MI4$25,0002025
Community FoundatonUEscanaba, MI1$25,0002018
Lakeview Cemetery 38-0741708CEscanaba, MI3$21,0002025
Big Brothers Big SistersUEscanaba, MI2$20,0002021
Bay Cliff Health Camp 38-6000167BBig Bay, MI2$20,0002025
Holy Name Catholic SchoolUEscanaba, MI4$15,0002025
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp 38-2462121CCrystal Falls, MI3$15,0002025
Salvation Army 38-1370971CEscanaba, MI2$15,0002021
Baraga County Community Foundation 38-3198122BBarage, MI3$15,0002025
Community Foundation of Delta County 38-2907795CEscanaba, MI2$15,0002025
Trees for Tomorrow 39-0732118BEagle River, WI6$14,5002023
Gladstone Public Safety DepartmentUGladstone, MI1$13,2002025
Masonville Twp Fire DepartmentURapid River, MI2$11,5002023
Lakestate Industries 38-2007047BEscanaba, MI3$11,0002025
Life Link III 41-1518013CMinneapolis, MN1$10,0882024
Houghton County Volunteer Fire DeptUHoughton, MI2$10,0002021
Escanaba Twp Fire DepartmentUGladstone, MI1$10,0002023
Community Foundation of Marquette CountyUMarquette, MI2$10,0002025
Bay College FoundationUEscanaba, MI2$10,0002025
Aquafest Inc 39-1202371BRice Lake, WI1$7,0002022
Youth Empowering ServicesUEscanaba, MI2$6,0002025
Redeemer Lutheran Church 23-7060063CMarquette, MI2$6,0002025
St Vincent Depaul of GladstoneUMarquette, MI1$5,0002025
Superior Health Foundation 20-3615349BMarquette, MI1$5,0002024
Community FoundationUEscanaba, MI1$5,0002021
Masonville Fire DepartmentURapid River, MI1$5,0002020
Bay de Noc Comm College Foundation 38-2161915DEscanaba, MI1$5,0002021
Delta County Cancer Alliance 38-3241696BEscanaba, MI1$5,0002025
YMCA Northern Lights of Delta CountyUEscanaba, MI1$5,0002025
Michigan Tech -College of ForestryUHoughton, MI1$5,0002020
Escanaba TownshipUGladstone, MI1$5,0002025
Lakestates IndustriesUEscanaba, MI1$5,0002021
Northern Lights YMCA of Delta CoUEscanaba, MI1$5,0002021
Bay-Lakes Council Boy ScoutsUAppleton, WI1$5,0002021
Escanaba Fire DepartmentUGladstone, MI1$5,0002024
Bonifas Fine Art CenterUEscanaba, MI1$5,0002025
St Vincent Depaul of Escanaba 83-4113518DEscanaba, MI1$5,0002025
Shepherd Watch Community CenterUMattoon, WI1$3,0002020
Ice Age Trail Alliance 39-6076028CMadison, WI1$2,5002018
Barron County Pro Rodeo Inc 83-4570185BLadysmith, WI1$2,5002022
Rotary Club of Escanaba 38-6090620CEscanaba, MI6$2,1002025
Michigamme - Spurr 41-3536755DMichigamme, MI2$1,5002025
Gladstone SchoolsUGladstone, MI2$1,1002025
Up Power PinkUGwinn, MI1$1,0002024
Michigamme MuseumUMichigamme, MI1$1,0002021
Gladstone Rapid River KiwanisUGladstone, MI1$1,0002025
Community Thanksgiving of Delta County 38-4052774DEscanaba, MI1$5002025

Match tier: A Reported EIN · B Exact name and place · C Strong name match · D Probable name match · U Unresolved. Tiers C and D are inferred, not reported; see how matching works.

Every grant

All 127 grant rows this organization reported, most recent first.

Grants reported by John & Melissa Besse Foundation
Tax yearRecipientMatchAmountTypePurposeSource filing
2025Michigan Tech Fd Houghton, MIC$110,000paidFORD CENTER SAWMILL202631339349103683
2025Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, MIU$56,500paidEDUCATIONAL202631339349103683
2025Marquette City Band Marquette, MIB$45,000paidBAND SHELL DONATION202631339349103683
2025Gladstone Public Safety Department Gladstone, MIU$13,200paidAIREAL DRONE DONATION202631339349103683
2025Pregnancy Services of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$13,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Community Foundation of Delta County Escanaba, MIC$10,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Bay Cliff Health Camp Big Bay, MIB$10,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Lakeview Cemetery Escanaba, MIC$8,000paidOPERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS202631339349103683
2025Northern Michigan University Foundation Marquette, MIB$5,000paidSCHOLARSHIP FUND202631339349103683
2025Lakestate Industries Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Youth Empowering Services Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Baraga County Community Foundation Barage, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025United Way of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025St Vincent Depaul of Gladstone Marquette, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Bonifas Fine Art Center Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidBUILDING IMPROVEMENTS202631339349103683
2025Tri-County Safe Harbor Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Escanaba Township Gladstone, MIU$5,000paidEQUIPMENT FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT202631339349103683
2025Delta County Cancer Alliance Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025St Vincent Depaul of Escanaba Escanaba, MID$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Up State Fair Authority Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidMILITARY MUSEUM OPERATIONS202631339349103683
2025Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp Crystal Falls, MIC$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT - CAMP202631339349103683
2025YMCA Northern Lights of Delta County Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Bay College Foundation Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidOPERATIONS202631339349103683
2025Community Foundation of Marquette County Marquette, MIU$5,000paidOPERATING ENDOWMENT FUND202631339349103683
2025Holy Name Catholic School Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidENDOWMENT FUND202631339349103683
2025Redeemer Lutheran Church Marquette, MIC$3,000paidDONATION202631339349103683
2025Gladstone Rapid River Kiwanis Gladstone, MIU$1,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2025Gladstone Schools Gladstone, MIU$800paidROBOTICS TEAM & SENIOR PARTY DONATION202631339349103683
2025Community Thanksgiving of Delta County Escanaba, MID$500paidDONATION202631339349103683
2025Michigamme - Spurr Michigamme, MID$500paidJULY 4TH DONATION202631339349103683
2025Rotary Club of Escanaba Escanaba, MIC$350paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202631339349103683
2024Michigan Tech Fd Houghton, MIC$340,000paidENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND202501959349100135
2024Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, MIU$78,000paidOUTDOOR CLASSROOM202501959349100135
2024Life Link III Minneapolis, MNC$10,088paidEDUCATIONAL202501959349100135
2024Bay Cliff Health Camp Big Bay, MIB$10,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Pregnancy Services of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$10,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Lakeview Cemetery Escanaba, MIC$8,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Northern Michigan University Foundation Marquette, MIB$5,000paidEDUCATIONAL202501959349100135
2024Superior Health Foundation Marquette, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Bay College Foundation Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidOPERATIONS202501959349100135
2024Escanaba Fire Department Gladstone, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT - EQUIPMENT202501959349100135
2024Up State Fair Authority Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Holy Name Catholic School Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp Crystal Falls, MIC$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Community Foundation of Delta County Escanaba, MIC$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024United Way of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Lakestate Industries Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidENDOWMENT FUND202501959349100135
2024Baraga County Community Foundation Barage, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Tri-County Safe Harbor Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Community Foundation of Marquette County Marquette, MIU$5,000paidENDOWMENT FUND202501959349100135
2024Redeemer Lutheran Church Marquette, MIC$3,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Up Power Pink Gwinn, MIU$1,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Youth Empowering Services Escanaba, MIU$1,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Michigamme - Spurr Michigamme, MID$1,000paidEQUIPMENT202501959349100135
2024Rotary Club of Escanaba Escanaba, MIC$350paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202501959349100135
2024Gladstone Schools Gladstone, MIU$300paidEDUCATIONAL202501959349100135
2023Northern Mi Univ Foundation Marquette, MID$200,000paidEDUCATIONAL-HOCKEY LOCKER ROOM202421299349103272
2023Chassell Historical Organization Chassell, MIB$55,120paidCHARITABLE-BOARD WALK IMPROVEMENTS202421299349103272
2023Michigan Tech Fd College Forestry Houghton, MIU$25,000paidEDUCATIONAL-EQUIP FOR FOREST DEPT202421299349103272
2023City of Gladstone Gladstone, MIU$25,000paidCHARITABLE-PICKLE BALL COURTS202421299349103272
2023Escanaba Twp Fire Department Gladstone, MIU$10,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT-EQUIPMENT202421299349103272
2023Masonville Twp Fire Department Rapid River, MIU$5,500paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT-EQUIPMENT202421299349103272
2023Baraga County Community Foundation Baraga, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE202421299349103272
2023Pregnancy Services of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202421299349103272
2023Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WIB$1,500paidEDUCATIONAL202421299349103272
2023Rotary Club of Escanaba Escanaba, MIC$350paidSUPPORT202421299349103272
2022Mi Tech Enterprise Corp Smartzone Houghton, MIU$30,000paidCHARITABLE OPERATIONS202331329349101813
2022Delta Conservation District Gladstone, MIU$10,000paidCHARITABLE202331329349101813
2022Aquafest Inc Rice Lake, WIB$7,000paidCHARITABLE OPERATIONS202331329349101813
2022Barron County Pro Rodeo Inc Ladysmith, WIB$2,500paidCHARITABLE OPERATIONS202331329349101813
2022Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WIB$1,500paidOPERATIONS202331329349101813
2022Rotary Club of Escanaba Escanaba, MIC$350paidSUPPORT202331329349101813
2021Delta Conservation District Gladstone, MIU$25,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Delta Conservation District Gladstone, MIU$15,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Pregnancy Services of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$10,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021St Vincent Depaul Escanaba, MIU$10,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021United Way of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$10,000paidCHARITABLE OPERATIONS202211329349104411
2021Salvation Army Escanaba, MIC$10,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021St Vincent Depaul Gladstone, MIU$10,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Big Brothers Big Sisters Escanaba, MIU$10,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Tri-County Safe Harbor Inc Escanaba, MIB$10,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202211329349104411
2021Masonville Twp Fire Department Rapid River, MIU$6,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Northern Mi Univ Foundation Marquette, MID$5,000paidEDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS202211329349104411
2021Northern Lights YMCA of Delta Co Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Bay de Noc Comm College Foundation Escanaba, MID$5,000paidEDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS202211329349104411
2021Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WIB$5,000paidOPERATIONS202211329349104411
2021Lakestates Industries Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Community Foundation Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Northern Mi Univ Foundation Marquette, MID$5,000paidEDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS202211329349104411
2021Michigan Tech Fd College Forestry Houghton, MIU$5,000paidEDUCATIONAL202211329349104411
2021Lakeview Cemetery Escanaba, MIC$5,000paidSUPPORT202211329349104411
2021Houghton County Volunteer Fire Dept Houghton, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp Crystal Falls, MIC$5,000paidRELIGIOUS202211329349104411
2021Bay-Lakes Council Boy Scouts Appleton, WIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Holy Name Catholic School Escanaba, MIU$3,000paidEDUCATIONAL202211329349104411
2021Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WIB$1,500paidOPERATIONS202211329349104411
2021Michigamme Museum Michigamme, MIU$1,000paidCHARITABLE202211329349104411
2021Rotary Club of Escanaba Escanaba, MIC$350paidSUPPORT202211329349104411
2020Up State Fair Authority Escanaba, MIU$50,000paidBLDG IMPROVEMENTS202121309349102712
2020Up State Fair Authority Escanaba, MIU$50,000paidBLDG IMPROVEMENTS202121309349102712
2020Delta Conservation District Gladstone, MIU$25,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Delta Conservation District Gladstone, MIU$25,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Up State Fair Authority Escanaba, MIU$10,000paidOPERATIONS202121309349102712
2020Big Brothers Big Sisters Escanaba, MIU$10,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Pregnancy Services of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020United Way of Delta County Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE OPERATIONS202121309349102712
2020Michigan Tech -College of Forestry Houghton, MIU$5,000paidEDUCATIONAL202121309349102712
2020St Vincent Depaul Escanaba, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Houghton County Volunteer Fire Dept Houghton, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Masonville Fire Department Rapid River, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020St Vincent Depaul Gladstone, MIU$5,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Salvation Army Escanaba, MIC$5,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Tri-County Safe Harbor Inc Escanaba, MIB$5,000paidCHARITABLE SUPPORT202121309349102712
2020Shepherd Watch Community Center Mattoon, WIU$3,000paidCHARITABLE202121309349102712
2020Holy Name Catholic School Escanaba, MIU$2,000paidEDUCATIONAL202121309349102712
2020Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WIB$1,500paidOPERATIONS202121309349102712
2020Rotary Club of Escanaba Escanaba, MIC$350paidSUPPORT202121309349102712
2018Fire & Public Safety Depts Gladstone, MIU$300,000paidOPERATIONS201911329349100301
2018Up State Fair Authority Escanaba, MIU$250,000paidBLDG IMPROVEMENTS201911329349100301
2018City of Gladstone Gladstone, MIU$200,000paidSPORTS PARK IMPROVEMENTS201911329349100301
2018City of Gladstone Gladstone, MIU$83,800paidIMPROVEMENTS201911329349100301
2018Community Foundaton Escanaba, MIU$25,000paidFEED THE KIDS PROGRAM201911329349100301
2018Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club Hancock, MID$25,000paidEQUIPMENT201911329349100301
2018Trees for Tomorrow Eagle River, WIB$3,500paidOPERATIONS201911329349100301
2018Ice Age Trail Alliance Madison, WIC$2,500paidSUPPORT201911329349100301
2018Tri County Safe Harbor Escanaba, MIB$2,000paidOPERATIONS201911329349100301
2018Lakestate Industries Escanaba, MIB$1,000paidSUPPORT201911329349100301

Match tier: A Reported EIN · B Exact name and place · C Strong name match · D Probable name match · U Unresolved. Tiers C and D are inferred, not reported; see how matching works.

Recipient matching for this dataset version has not yet completed its independent precision check. Tier A rows carry the EIN the filer reported; tiers B–D are the matcher's inference and should be read as leads until the check is published on the methodology page.

Source filings

Every figure above is traceable to one of these IRS e-file returns by its OBJECT_ID.

Returns this page is derived from
FormTax yearPeriod endFiledSchemaIRS OBJECT_ID
990PF20252025-12-31not stated2025v4.1202631339349103683
990PF20242024-12-31not stated2024v5.2202501959349100135
990PF20232023-12-31not stated2023v5.0202421299349103272
990PF20222022-12-31not stated2022v5.0202331329349101813
990PF20212021-12-31not stated2021v4.0202211329349104411
990PF20202020-12-31not stated2020v4.0202121309349102712
990PF20182018-12-31not stated2018v3.1201911329349100301

Derived from IRS Form 990-PF e-file XML; recipient identities from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. Dataset version 2026.09.0, built 2026-09-03. The same rows as Parquet: manifest; as JSON: /api/funders/203497950.json.

The same organization elsewhere in the program: exempt status and filing health · federal awards · grant guidance · open opportunities.

This is informational only, derived from public data on the dates shown. It is not an eligibility determination, and not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Verify against the official source before relying on it.