Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr is a private foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Its 2025 filing reports scholarship grants to educational institutions, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Iowa.
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr at a glance
In short: Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr gave $120K across 63 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $120,006
- +11.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 63
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,905
- +11.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,468
- Total assets
- $2,082,317
- -0.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Iowa (83% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing describes an online application and requests a scholarship award agreement, official transcript, SAT scores, personal essay, W-9 form, SAR report, and any academic awards. Applicants covered by the stated restrictions must be graduates of the Dallas Center-Grimes district or Bestenlehner recipients with a Dallas Center, Iowa address, attend full time, and demonstrate financial need.
- Review Cycle
- March 29.
- Deadline
- March 29.
- Contact
Application contact: Darlene F Bestenlehner Dallas Cente
Mailing address: 4320 Wade Hampton Blvd, Taylors, SC 29687
Phone: (866) 608-0001
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Iowa State University ($30K across 15 grants). Together the top 10 received $86K.
Organizations only. It also paid 11 individual scholarships ($24,552), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
241 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 240 grants of 241 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Iowa recipients received 83% of grant dollars. The remaining listed shares went to an individual recipient (5%), Minnesota (4%), Colorado (3%), and Wisconsin (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 63 itemized grants.
Cities
How Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr gives
- Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $90K (2020) to $120K (2025). In 2025 it made 63 grants totaling $120K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA | Scholarship | $4,000 |
| 9 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $21,616 |
| Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO | Scholarship | $4,000 |
| Drake University Des Moines, IA | Scholarship | $4,000 |
| University of Iowa Ames, IA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Iowa State University Ames, IA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Iowa State University Ames, IA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Iowa State University Ames, IA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,082,317 | $150,777 | $174,073 | $120,006 | 63 | $142,123 | $107,732 | $133,445 |
| 2024 | $2,099,392 | $95,387 | $159,872 | $107,372 | 63 | $127,375 | $65,623 | $132,020 |
| 2023 | $2,154,751 | $161,928 | $147,216 | $102,000 | 57 | $119,216 | $130,720 | $119,419 |
| 2022 | $2,133,680 | $66,825 | $147,575 | $99,002 | 57 | $115,667 | $45,508 | $130,977 |
| 2021 | $2,203,242 | $268,908 | $142,278 | $93,157 | 1 | $109,988 | $239,242 | $132,804 |
| 2020 | $2,073,493 | $172,864 | $132,963 | $90,000 | 60 | — | $146,600 | $112,049 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr reported a distributable amount of $133K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants are identified as scholarships and include support to universities and community colleges. Among the recipients, Drake University describes its mission as preparing students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. Southeastern Community College’s foundation says it awards grants to the college’s students and supports the college.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 63 grants totaling $120,006. Grants ranged from $734 to $4,000, with a median of $1,468. The largest listed grants included $4,000 each to the University of two individual recipients Community College, Colorado School of Mines, and Drake University. Other listed awards included $3,000 to Southeastern Community College and $3,000 to Buena Vista University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Wells Fargo Bank N.A. is listed as trustee on the 2025 filing.
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's only listed officer is Wells Fargo Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2020 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wells Fargo Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$33K (2020) → $38K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $38K, to Wells Fargo Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr
How much does Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr give each year?
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr gave $120K across 63 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $107K across 63 grants.
What is Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's typical grant size?
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's median grant in 2025 was $1,468, and its average grant was $1,905, across 63 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr give grants?
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr gives mostly in Iowa: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ames, IA (19 grants), Iowa City, IA (9 grants), Cedar Falls, IA (5 grants) and Storm Lake, IA (4 grants).
Does Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 63 grants with a stated purpose on Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (63 grants).
Who are Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's largest grantees?
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's largest 2025 grantees include Iowa State University ($29,616 across 15 grants), University of Iowa ($15,478 across 10 grants) and University of Northern Iowa ($12,138 across 5 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 11 individual scholarships ($24,552), which are not listed by name. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr?
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $142K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $133K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants are identified as scholarships and include support to universities and community colleges. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's EIN?
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3633660. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
W D & Shirley Schafer-Ray Educational Trust
Creston, IA
The trust funds scholarships and other educational support for nonprofit public and private colleges and universities, with 2025 grants ranging from $1,000 to $128,200 and a median of $3,000. Most funding went to Iowa recipients, with grants also reaching Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and South Dakota. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$313K
Marguerite V Brown
Eagan, MN
This Eagan, Minnesota foundation funds scholarships for students attending colleges and universities, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Iowa and Nebraska recipients. It awarded 24 grants totaling $40,671, ranging from $200 to $9,849 (median $549). Applications are obtained through schools; the filing does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$755K
Grants
24
Total Given
$41K
Mahana-Cong Church Scholar Found
Algona, IA
The Mahana-Cong Church Scholar Foundation funds post-secondary scholarships for Algona High School graduates, with recent grants ranging from $5,500 to $22,000. It is based in Iowa and has supported educational institutions in Iowa and other states; it accepts only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
14
Total Given
$113K
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Fahrney Education Fdtn Trust
Milwaukee, WI
The Fahrney Education Foundation Trust funds scholarships at educational institutions, with recent grants going to colleges and universities in Iowa. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,500 to $52,500, with a median of $7,500. It accepts scholarship applications by request; applicants submit a form, transcript, and signed personal letter, with an annual February 15 deadline.
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
17
Total Given
$233K
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bestenlehner-d-and-f-educational-tr-morg_eb03e525d2ea44d5b8785d195580259d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_463633660_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bestenlehner-d-and-f-educational-tr-morg_eb03e525d2ea44d5b8785d195580259d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
} The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr down — hundreds of funders to go?