Iowa State University Foundation
81% goes to programs $20 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Iowa State University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Ames, Iowa, registered in 1980, with $143,213,015 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C+, and it directs about 81% of spending to programs.
2505 University Blvd, Ames, IA, 50010 EIN 42-1143702 Since 1980
Revenue (FY2023)
$143.2M
▼ 2.6% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$205.3M
Net assets
$1.9B
Employees
295
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
C+
★★★★
Rated on 4 of 4 criteria.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →B+Program efficiency40% of the rating81% to programs · $20 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Iowa State University Foundation: 81% to programs · $20 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
DFinancial health25% of the rating111 mo reserves · -43% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Iowa State University Foundation: 111 mo reserves · -43% margin earns a D on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Iowa State University Foundation: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Iowa State University Foundation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Aligning donor passion and generosity to advance iowa state university's land-grant ideals.
What they do
Faculty and program support: with over $37.0 million from the iowa state university foundation, university faculty and staff received additional support allowing for increased research opportunities and improved classroom experiences for all students. private gift support helps meet the university's goal to attract and retain the world-class faculty, which ultimately attracts the best and brightest students. during 2024, the number of endowed faculty positions (chairs, professorships, and fellowships) was 243.
Facilities: the foundation provided nearly $61.8 million to the university in support of new building contruction, renovation, and equipment needs. state-of-the-art facilities help the university attract high-quality faculty and students. these facilities provide space, environments, and technologies that promote the highest levels of teaching, learning, and research. private gift support assisted in funding of the therkildsen industrial engineering building, isu kent corp feed mill and grain science complex, and more.
Contact & location
- Address
- 2505 University Blvd, Ames, IA, 50010
- City
- Ames
- State
- Iowa
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Support Foundations & Fundraising
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $108.6M (FY2013) to $143.2M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $49.0MNet assets $1.9B
Operating margin
-43.4%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$2.0B
Total liabilities
$49.0M
Net assets
$1.9B
Salaries & benefits
$21.3M
10% of expenses
Board members
17
17 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $143,213,015▼2.6% | $205,319,508▲33.5% | $1,906,855,089▲3.9% | $1,955,859,918▲4.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $147,035,872▼42.4% | $153,769,487▲4.9% | $1,836,152,987▲3.8% | $1,874,949,873▲3.4% | 990 |
| 2021 | $255,070,989▲29.9% | $146,572,844▲25.6% | $1,769,422,565▲2.1% | $1,813,751,650▲1.3% | 990 |
| 2020 | $196,378,537▲48.6% | $116,719,852▼8.1% | $1,732,748,774▲32.6% | $1,790,439,488▲32.2% | 990 |
| 2019 | $132,115,683▼17.8% | $127,015,540▼12.7% | $1,307,010,632▲1.5% | $1,353,978,392▲0.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $160,807,746▼28.4% | $145,568,384▲54.8% | $1,288,003,907▲5.1% | $1,341,412,954▲6.2% | 990 |
| 2017 | $224,536,988▲15.9% | $94,032,938▼29.8% | $1,225,225,253▲13.8% | $1,263,197,387▲6.2% | 990 |
| 2016 | $193,796,790▲104% | $133,871,149▲34.9% | $1,076,388,067▲24.5% | $1,189,980,960▲31.9% | 990 |
| 2015 | $94,883,515▼28.7% | $99,224,761▼1.4% | $864,746,641▼1.9% | $902,108,947▼2.4% | 990 |
| 2014 | $133,000,443▲22.5% | $100,676,854▲1.0% | $881,388,189▲4.8% | $924,019,007▲4.9% | 990 |
| 2013 | $108,610,941 | $99,636,742▲13.0% | $841,317,076▲12.0% | $881,166,016▲11.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $88,169,546▲34.3% | $751,072,181▲6.9% | $787,927,332▲7.0% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $65,672,355▼0.6% | $702,266,798▼0.2% | $736,222,826▼0.3% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $66,079,265▲12.3% | $703,688,998▲16.4% | $738,383,234▲16.2% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $58,862,450 | $604,323,036 | $635,414,987 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Larissa Holtmyer Jones — $538,497 (0.26% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larissa Holtmyer Jones | President and Ceo | 40 | $538,497 |
| Jeremy Galvin | Vp & Chief Development Officer | 40 | $308,877 |
| Rosa Unal | Vp & Chief Info Officer | 40 | $217,442 |
| Ann Torgerson-ross | Vp & Chief Human Resources Officer | 40 | $212,970 |
| Emily Hager | Vp & Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $208,299 |
| Ryan Harms | Assistant Vp of Development | 40 | $192,335 |
| Amy Kruzich | Assistant Vp of Development | 40 | $183,588 |
| Kelly Hanfelt | Assistant Vp of Development | 40 | $180,837 |
| Robert Kinsey | Assistant Vp of Development | 40 | $177,631 |
| Mary Evanson | Assistant Vp of Development | 40 | $170,287 |
| Ajay Desai | Director | 1 | — |
| Charles Sukup | Director | 1 | — |
| Craig Denny | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Dana Wenstrand | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| David Kingland | Director | 1 | — |
| Dee Vandeventer | Director | 1 | — |
| Jim Borel | Director (start 11/23) | 1 | — |
| Jon Fleming | Director | 1 | — |
| Larry Pithan | Director | 1 | — |
| Len Rodman | Director (end 11/23) | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Viking Long Fund LP | Investment Fees | $1,066,110 |
| Cambridge Associates LLC | Consulting | $830,813 |
| Salesforce Inc | Online/software Services | $725,038 |
| Adage Capital Partners LP | Investment Fees | $712,491 |
| Uc Innovation | Consulting | $355,315 |
Grants received · $51.7M total
526 grants to Iowa State University Foundation totaling $51.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $1,695,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $1,042,834 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Education | 2024 | $650,000 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To support csrl. | 2024 | $306,481 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $195,597 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $114,462 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2024 | $89,000 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To support the development workshop. | 2024 | $88,226 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $80,263 |
| Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Education | 2024 | $69,473 |
| Greater Horizons | Education | 2024 | $52,750 |
| Christian Community Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Minneapolis Foundation | Donor advised, education | 2024 | $25,000 |
| St Louis Community Foundation Incorporated | General support | 2024 | $15,000 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $14,591 |
Grants made · $165.6M in FY2023
1 grant totaling $165.6M in FY2023. All grants made by Iowa State University Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | See part iv | $165,625,651 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Iowa State University Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Iowa State University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 42-1143702, based in Ames, Iowa. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Iowa State University Foundation's EIN?
- Iowa State University Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 42-1143702.
- How much revenue does Iowa State University Foundation report?
- Iowa State University Foundation reported $143,213,015 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Iowa State University Foundation's spending goes to programs?
- Iowa State University Foundation spends about 81% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Iowa State University Foundation have?
- CharityIndex grades Iowa State University Foundation C+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Iowa State University Foundation's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Iowa State University Foundation's latest Form 990 is $538,497, paid to Larissa Holtmyer Jones (President and Ceo).
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Data for Iowa State University Foundation (EIN 42-1143702) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.