Before you apply to Besser Foundation
Who to contact, what to include, deadlines, typical grant size and geographic focus are available with membership.
Private Foundation
BESSER FOUNDATION
BESSER FOUNDATION is a Private Foundation headquartered in ALPENA, MI. Financial data from the 2025 filing: $1.2M revenue, $977K expenses, $18.7M total assets. IRS filings disclose 216 grants awarded by this foundation, totaling roughly $9.6M.
EIN: 386071938
ALPENA, MI
Latest filing: 2025
Total Revenue$1.2M
Total Expenses$977K
Total Assets$18.7M
Grants Given216
Grant Total$9.6M
Filing Years2021–2025
Sample Grants Given
BESSER MUSEUM
OPERATING EXPENSES
$260,000
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
$75,000
HOPE SHORES ALLIANCE
DV VICTIM SHELTER RENOVATION
$50,000
CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES
OPERATING
$50,000
CITY OF ALPENA
NORTHEAST MI MATERIALS MGMT
$50,000
Showing up to 5 of 216 total records — full history available with membership.
Officers & Directors
VICE PRESIDE
Ann Burton
TRUSTEE
Chris Mccoy
MANAGER / SECRETARY/TR
Gary Dawley
PRESIDENT
James C Park
TRUSTEE
Kimberly Park
TRUSTEE
Patricia Gardner
Officer compensation and complete director data available with membership.
Top Grant Purposes
Financial Trends
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.2M | $977K | $18.7M |
| 2024 | $906K | $1.3M | $17.4M |
| 2023 | $585K | $957K | $16.4M |
| 2022 | $998K | $1.2M | $15.2M |
| 2021 | $2.9M | $1.1M | $19.6M |
Between 2021 and 2025, reported annual revenue declined from $2.9M to $1.2M (-60%), with total assets most recently reported at $18.7M.
Interactive year-over-year charts and full filing details available with membership.
Grant Geography
Grants from this foundation were reported to recipients in GA, MI.
GAMI
Full geographic grant map with state-by-state breakdown available with membership.