Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It supports organizations in specified counties in Iowa and Nebraska; its 2024 grants went to recipients in both states.
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc gave $26.6M across 73 grants in 2024 (avg $365K), mostly in Iowa. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,638,028
- +143.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 73
- -9.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $364,904
- +170.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,755
- Total assets
- $134,912,171
- -11.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (9 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing lists the foundation as the contact, specifies no application form or materials, and gives no deadline. Awards are restricted to Mills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie, Fremont, Page, and Cass counties in Iowa, and Douglas and Sarpy counties in Nebraska.
- Contact
Application contact: Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc
Mailing address: 705 North 16Th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Phone: (712) 256-5580
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Foundation for Western Iowa ($10.7M). Together the top 10 received $23.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
341 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 206 grants of 341 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing lists award restrictions for six Iowa counties—Mills, Montgomery, Pottawattamie, Fremont, Page, and Cass—and two Nebraska counties—Douglas and Sarpy. By grant dollars, 54% went to Iowa recipients and 46% to Nebraska recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 73 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $256K; repeat grants $380K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 84% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 353% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 281% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.9M (2021) to $26.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 73 grants totaling $26.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Western Iowa Council Bluffs, IA | Contribution for General Purposes | $10,677,226 |
| Charles E Lakin Human Service Campus Foundation Omaha, NE | Contribution for General Purposes | $6,014,500 |
| Avenue Scholars Foundation Omaha, NE | Contribution for General Purposes | $1,922,403 |
| Micah House Corporation Council Bluffs, IA | Contribution for General Purposes | $1,003,000 |
| Community Alliance Omaha, NE | Contribution for General Purposes | $1,000,000 |
| East Mills Child Care Solutions Malvern, IA | Contribution for General Purposes | $1,000,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club Council Bluffs, IA | Contribution for General Purposes | $560,000 |
| African American Empowerment Network Inc Omaha, NE | Contribution for General Purposes | $536,144 |
| Completely Kids Omaha, NE | Contribution for General Purposes | $510,100 |
| The Stanton Child Resource Center Inc Stanton, IA | Contribution for General Purposes | $344,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $134,912,171 | $14,481,125 | $32,170,985 | $26,638,028 | 73 | $27,657,550 | $11,901,260 | $9,836,910 |
| 2023 | $152,016,678 | $18,538,112 | $16,992,983 | $10,940,763 | 81 | $11,919,800 | $15,529,999 | $9,005,931 |
| 2022 | $183,884,039 | $14,726,348 | $12,658,139 | $7,958,343 | 72 | $8,937,998 | $5,601,198 | $8,535,051 |
| 2021 | $146,415,136 | $18,758,116 | $8,823,944 | $5,880,661 | 62 | $6,701,888 | $17,435,694 | $8,417,020 |
| 2020 | $138,467,682 | $12,767,312 | $12,315,740 | $9,228,751 | 53 | — | $2,892,712 | $7,435,817 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $9.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s own mission is not specified here. Its 2024 grantees include organizations working in areas such as community philanthropy, shelter and family support, mental health, childcare, and children’s programs. For example, Micah House Corporation describes its mission as providing shelter, food, clothing, and support for homeless families. East Mills Child Care Solutions says it was created to operate a childcare facility serving its local school district and surrounding area. Completely Kids describes its work as empowering children and families through out-of-school-time and family-strengthening programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 73 grants totaling $26,638,028. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $10,677,226, with a median of $11,755. The largest grants included $10,677,226 to Community Foundation for Western Iowa; $6,014,500 to Charles E Lakin Human Service Campus Foundation; and $1,922,403 to Avenue Scholars Foundation. Other notable grants included $1,003,000 to Micah House Corporation, $1,000,000 each to Community Alliance and East Mills Child Care Solutions, and $560,000 to Boys & Girls Club.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles E Lakin III as director/manager; Stephen Wild as director/president; John L Hoich as director/vice president; Robyn Ritsch and Cliff Roberts as directors; Tina Garland as treasurer; Jennifer Green as secretary; Deborah L Johnson as director through August; and David Gorgani as director as of September.
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc is led by Stephen Wild, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 8 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen Wild
Director & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$207K (2020) → $416K (2024)
Charles E. Lakin III
Director & Manager
On filings since 2020
18 hrs/week
$128K (2020) → $213K (2024)
Deborah L. Johnson
Director
Director & Manager → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
18 hrs/week
$49K (2020) → $115K (2024)
John L. Hoich
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$166K (2020) → $416K (2024)
Robyn Ritsch
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$15K (2022) → $66K (2024)
Cliff Roberts
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$33K (2023) → $66K (2024)
David Gorgani
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tina Garland
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$37K (2020) → $59K (2024)
Jennifer Green
Secretary
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $133K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joanna L. Cellone (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Diane Kilzer (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $416K, to Stephen Wild (Director/President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc
How much does Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc give each year?
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc gave $26.6M across 73 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.9M across 81 grants.
What is Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $11,755, and its average grant was $364,904, across 73 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc that year got $256K on average.
Where does Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc give grants?
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc gives mostly in Iowa: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nebraska (46%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (43 grants), Council Bluffs, IA (11 grants), Malvern, IA (3 grants) and Boys Town, NE (2 grants).
Does Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (73 of 73) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Foundation for Western Iowa ($10,677,226), Charles E Lakin Human Service Campus Foundation ($6,014,500) and Avenue Scholars Foundation ($1,922,403), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc?
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc reported $134.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $27.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not specified here. Its 2024 grantees include organizations working in areas such as community philanthropy, shelter and family support, mental health, childcare, and children’s programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it 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 Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's EIN?
Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0751233. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/charles-e-lakin-foundation-inc-morg_b59e274fc0f3445aa9f6ccb11920fbee
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760751233_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/charles-e-lakin-foundation-inc-morg_b59e274fc0f3445aa9f6ccb11920fbee},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Charles E Lakin Foundation Inc'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.
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