Foundations that fund arts and culture in Iowa
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Iowa in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
- $30,000 to Youth Art Team, Waterloo: Operating support & staff development
- $30,000 to Grout Museum Inc, Waterloo: Educational programming
- $30,000 to Marching Against the Darkness, Waterloo: Programming - 2025 expo & competition
How to apply: Applications should be submitted in writing identifying the purpose and amount requested. The application should be accompanied by financial statements and proof of 501(c)(3) organization status or verification that the organization will use the funds exclusively for public...
Restrictions: All awards must be to charitable, scientific, literary, or educational organizations within the meaning of irc section 501(c)(3) or exclusively for public purposes or as otherwise described in irc section 170(c)(1).
Pella Rolscreen Foundation C/O Pella Corporation
- $102,340 to Pella Historical Society, Pella: General operations
- $45,525 to Pella Opera House Commission, Pella: General operations
- $15,450 to Pella Community Band Boosters Inc, Pella: General operations
How to apply: No specific form
Restrictions: Limited to areas in which pella corporation employees live.
Emc Insurance Foundation
- $66,667 to Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation, Des Moines: For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization
- $25,000 to Salisbury House Foundation, Des Moines: For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization
- $25,000 to Des Moines Symphony Association, Des Moiens: For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization
How to apply: The following information should be provided: 1.Intended use of funds, 2.Verification of IRS 501(c)(3) status, 3.List of major donors
Restrictions: Generally only Iowa-based charitable organizations are funded
John Ruan Foundation Trust
- $100,000 to Bravo Greater Des Moines, Des Moines: Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities
- $10,000 to Downtown Events Group, Des Moines: Inner City or Community Activities
- $10,000 to Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines: Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities
How to apply: No special form
Carleen and Eugene Grandon Charitable Foundation
- $150,000 to Theatre Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids: Support established organization.
- $141,600 to Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids: Support established organization.
- $50,000 to Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Cedar Rapids: Support established organization.
How to apply: See www.grandoncf.org
Deadlines: See www.grandoncf.org
Restrictions: Limited to 501(c)(3) organizations
Tomson Family Foundation Trust
- $27,400 to Cedar Summerstock Theatre, Saint Ansgar: General support
- $15,000 to River City Sculptures on Parade Inc, Mason City: General support
- $10,000 to American Passenger Train History Museum, Charles City: General support
How to apply: No standard form
Restrictions: The requests must be exclusively for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the code.
The West Bancorporation Foundation Inc
- $10,000 to Ballet Theatre of Des Moines, West Des Moines: Funding for ballet des moines campus for arts and education
- $2,500 to Party on the Hill Inc, Des Moines: Funding to support the children's charities
- $2,500 to West Des Moines Historical Society, West Des Moines: Funding for general operating support
How to apply: Written request including reason for the request and type of organization submitting request
Deadlines: January 1, april 1, july 1, and october 1
Restrictions: Focus on human services, education, and arts & culture in the des moines and iowa city, ia and rochester, mankato, owatonna, and st. Cloud, mn areas
William M & Donna J Hoaglin Foundat Foundation Inc
- $9,300 to Trenton Angels, Mt Pleasant: Electrical upgrade and cement pad
- $5,000 to Villages Folk School, Keosauqua: Youth scholarships
- $5,000 to Villages Folk School, Keosauqua: Youth scholarships
How to apply: Official grant application can be obtained by contacting any board member of the board of directors. Completed application are to be directed to william m and donna j hoaglin foundation, inc. At po box 791, mt pleasant, ia 52641-0791. See attached grant application
Deadlines: The board of directors meet on the third monday of july and the third monday of january to consider
Restrictions: The foundation's purpose is to: a. Promote the literary and educational welfare of people in henry county and van buren county; b. Foster self improvement, self reliance, and individual initiative; c. Promote charitable purposes; d....
Henry G & Norma Peterson Charitable Tr
- $7,500 to Edmundson Art Foundation, Des Moines: General operating
- $5,000 to Iowa Public Radio, Des Moines: General operating
- $5,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola: General operating
How to apply: Letter form
Restrictions: Applicants must be a charitable organization described under irc section 170.
Fred Maytag Family Foundation
- $50,000 to Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines: 2024 grant awards - general support
- $40,000 to Ballet Theatre of Des Moines, West Des Moines: 2024 grant awards - general support
- $35,000 to Civic Music Association, Des Moines: 2024 grant awards - general support
How to apply: Proposal format
Deadlines: Applications accepted march 1st and september 1st,
Restrictions: Preference is given to newton and central iowa organizations
The Seidler Foundation
- $100,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola: General support
- $15,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola: General support
- $10,000 to Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines: General support
How to apply: Written request
R J Mcelroy Trust
- $75,000 to Youth Art Team, Waterloo: Program support
- $15,000 to Embracing Explorations, Waterloo: Program support
- $2,500 to Elgin Historical Society, Elgin: Program support
How to apply: Grant applications are filled out online through their website at www.mcelroytrust.org. Applications must include the project name, project summary, start/end date, how the grant aligns with mcelroy's strategic mission, type of funding needed, total cost of project, and how much...
Deadlines: The trust considers grant proposals throughout the year.
Restrictions: Education projects - youth in northeast iowa
The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation
- $25,000 to Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association, Fort Dodge: Historic phillips auditorium sound system
- $20,000 to Comedia Musica Players, Fort Dodge: "holiday inn" production
- $20,000 to Hawkeye Community Theatre, Manson: 2024 season
How to apply: Initial contact by telephone requesting a grant application form to be completed. Must request a specific dollar amount. Further information may be required if directors wish to consider the request in detail.
Deadlines: None.
Restrictions: At this time, the directors make grants which carry out the grantor's gifting programs established during her lifeime. Grants are limited to recognized charitable groups in webster county iowa which carry out scientific, educational, and...
Gartner Family Foundation % Michael G Gartner
- $20,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola: General fund
- $5,000 to Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Des Moines: General fund
- $4,000 to Iowa Public Radio, Des Moines: Support for iowa public radio
How to apply: Applications should contain all necessary information concerning the purpose the grant, loan, etc., including where the applicant can be contacted, and proof of 501 (c)(3) public charity status.
Restrictions: Grants will be made to 501(c)(3) organizations that are not private foundations.
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
- $5,352 to Iowa Public Radio Inc, Des Moines: Matching gift
- $2,284 to Brucemore Inc, Cedar Rapids: Matching gift
- $2,200 to Community Theatre of Cedar Rapids Inc, Cedar Rapids: Matching gift
How to apply: Giving for good grant request: -identification of nonprofit organization applying for funding -description of project, including funding details, timeline, and goals of project -description of the problem or opportunity the project is addressing
The Klauer Foundation Trust Xxxxx5009
- $3,000 to Grand Opera House, Dubuque: General
- $2,000 to Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque: General
- $1,000 to Dubuque County Historical Society, Dubuque: General
How to apply: www.jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants
Restrictions: Per trust instrument
The David & Phyllis Murphy Charitable Foundation
- $24,000 to River City Sculptures on Parade Inc, Mason City: Sculpture purchase, maintenance
- $7,000 to Wright on the Park Inc, Mason City: System upgrade
- $5,000 to Mason City Community Theatre, Mason City: Energy efficiency replacement prog
How to apply: Written requests including name, address and purpose of organization evidence of exempt status, id number, current financials, officers directors & contact person, amount & purpose of request, date needed.
Deadlines: September 1
Restrictions: Qualified 501(c)(3) charity with preference to those in north central iowa
Roswell and Elizabeth Garst Foundation
- $6,000 to All Strings Attached, Carroll: Charitable
- $3,500 to Iowa Public Radio, Iowa City: Charitable
- $2,500 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Des Moines: Charitable
How to apply: In writing, with a brief explanation as to the educational need
Restrictions: Must be to charitable, religious, literary, educational or other worthy institutions or organiations
First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc
- $2,500 to Princess Theater Troupe Inc, Mount Ayr: General Operating Support
- $2,500 to Linn County Historical Society, Cedar Rapids: General Operating Support
- $1,000 to Midwest Honor Flight - Ia & Sd, Sioux Center: General Operating Support
How to apply: Refer to Foundation website for online application.
Deadlines: Refer to Foundation website for online application.
Restrictions: The grants are intended to serve the communities of interest to First Interstate Bank.
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $35,000 to Riverside Theatre, Iowa City: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $15,000 to Theatre Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
Iowa West Foundation
- $23,000 to Union Pacific Museum Association, Council Bluffs: Railroad days 2024
- $9,625 to Historic General Dodge House, Council Bluffs: Program: preservation, porches & paint
How to apply: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/application-process/
Deadlines: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/application-process/
Restrictions: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/what-we-fund/
Daniel J & Ann L Krumm Charitable Trus
- $25,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola: General support
- $5,000 to Iowa Public Radio, Des Moines: General support
How to apply: No specific form is used; current exemption letter requested.
Restrictions: Organizations exempt under irc section 501(c) which are not private foundations.
Prospice
- $20,000 to Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines: To promote the arts
- $4,000 to Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola: To promote the opera and culture of the opera
How to apply: Description of organization & description of the program to be supported.
Restrictions: Testamentary wishes of contributor: 501(c)(3) organizations supporting educational institutions, public libraries, nature conservancy, iowa natural heritage foundation, religious organizations and other organizations supporting the arts,...
Dupaco Rw Hoefer Foundation
- $10,000 to Key City Creative Center, Dubuque: Needs based
- $10,000 to Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque: Needs based
How to apply: Grant Application Form at https//www.dupaco.com/community/ways-we-give/
Restrictions: The encouragement of education, promotion of charity, and to contribute to organizations or causes which enhance the quality of life.
Lloyd Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Veterans Memorial Museum, Shenandoah: Donation
- $10,000 to Greater Shenandoah Historical Society, Shenandoah: Donaiton
How to apply: Application per entity form.
Deadlines: By march 10th of each year.
Restrictions: Page county iowa and surrounding couties: graphic arts and journalism
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