John and Melissa Besse Foundation
Private foundation · Wells, MI · EIN 20-3497950 · reported 2023–2025
66grants reported
$5,000median award
$5,000lower quartile
$300smallest grant
$1.2Mtotal paid
3states reached
3years giving
This foundation funds faith-based organizations. 6 of its 66 reported grants went to churches, ministries or other religious organizations, $26K in total. That is what it paid, not what it says in a policy.
Gives every year. This foundation reported grants in 2023, 2024, 2025. A funder that shows up year after year is worth a letter even if this year is a no.
Where to write
PO Box 250
Wells, MI 49894-0250
Address as registered with the IRS. Most foundations this size have no website and no application form, which is not a dead end: a short letter to this address is the whole process, and almost nobody sends one.
Who they funded
| Recipient and stated purpose | Where | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Tech FD ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND | Houghton, MI | $340,000 |
| Northern MI Univ Foundation EDUCATIONAL-HOCKEY LOCKER ROOM | Marquette, MI | $200,000 |
| Michigan Tech FD FORD CENTER SAWMILL | Houghton, MI | $110,000 |
| Trees for Tomorrow OUTDOOR CLASSROOM | Eagle River, MI | $78,000 |
| Trees for Tomorrow EDUCATIONAL | Eagle River, MI | $56,500 |
| Chassell Historical Organization CHARITABLE-BOARD WALK IMPROVEMENTS | Chassell, MI | $55,120 |
| Marquette City Band BAND SHELL DONATION | Marquette, MI | $45,000 |
| Michigan Tech FD College Forestry EDUCATIONAL-EQUIP FOR FOREST DEPT | Houghton, MI | $25,000 |
| City of Gladstone CHARITABLE-PICKLE BALL COURTS | Gladstone, MI | $25,000 |
| Gladstone Public Safety Department AIREAL DRONE DONATION | Gladstone, MI | $13,200 |
| Pregnancy Services of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $13,000 |
| Life Link III EDUCATIONAL | Minneapolis, MN | $10,088 |
| Bay Cliff Health Camp CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Big Bay, MI | $10,000 |
| Community Foundation of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $10,000 |
| Escanaba Twp Fire Department CHARITABLE SUPPORT-EQUIPMENT | Gladstone, MI | $10,000 |
| Pregnancy Services of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $10,000 |
| Bay Cliff Health Camp CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Big Bay, MI | $10,000 |
| Lakeview Cemetery OPERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS | Escanaba, MI | $8,000 |
| Lakeview Cemetery CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $8,000 |
| Masonville Twp Fire Department CHARITABLE SUPPORT-EQUIPMENT | Rapid River, MI | $5,500 |
| Baraga County Community Foundation CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Barage, MI | $5,000 |
| Bay College Foundation | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Bonifas Fine Art Center BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of Marquette County OPERATING ENDOWMENT FUND | Marquette, MI | $5,000 |
| Delta County Cancer Alliance CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Escanaba Township EQUIPMENT FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT | Gladstone, MI | $5,000 |
| Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp CHARITABLE SUPPORT - CAMP | Crystal Falls, MI | $5,000 |
| Holy Name Catholic School ENDOWMENT FUND | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Lakestate Industries CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Northern Michigan University Foundation | Marquette, MI | $5,000 |
| St Vincent Depaul of Gladstone CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Marquette, MI | $5,000 |
| St Vincent Depaul of Escanaba CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Tri-County Safe Harbor CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| UP State Fair Authority MILITARY MUSEUM OPERATIONS | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| United Way of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| YMCA Northern Lights of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Youth Empowering Services CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Pregnancy Services of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Baraga County Community Foundation | Baraga, MI | $5,000 |
| Baraga County Community Foundation CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Barage, MI | $5,000 |
| Escanaba Fire Department CHARITABLE SUPPORT - EQUIPMENT | Gladstone, MI | $5,000 |
| Northern Michigan University Foundation EDUCATIONAL | Marquette, MI | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Crystal Falls, MI | $5,000 |
| Tri-County Safe Harbor CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Lakestate Industries ENDOWMENT FUND | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| United Way of Delta County CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| UP State Fair Authority CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of Marquette County ENDOWMENT FUND | Marquette, MI | $5,000 |
| Superior Health Foundation CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Marquette, MI | $5,000 |
| Bay College Foundation | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Holy Name Catholic School CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $5,000 |
| Redeemer Lutheran Church | Marquette, MI | $3,000 |
| Redeemer Lutheran Church CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Marquette, MI | $3,000 |
| Trees for Tomorrow EDUCATIONAL | Eagle River, WI | $1,500 |
| Gladstone Rapid River Kiwanis CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Gladstone, MI | $1,000 |
| UP Power Pink CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Gwinn, MI | $1,000 |
| Youth Empowering Services CHARITABLE SUPPORT | Escanaba, MI | $1,000 |
| Michigamme - Spurr EQUIPMENT | Michigamme, MI | $1,000 |
| Gladstone Schools ROBOTICS TEAM & SENIOR PARTY DONATION | Gladstone, MI | $800 |
Showing the 60 largest of 66 reported grants.
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