Country First Foundation
At Country First Foundation we pursue a path to educate the public on important civic and policy issues. Country First Foundation strives to support nonprofits that are working on proven solutions that empower local communities from the bottom-up. For too long, many have looked to washington, dc to solve the problems facing rural, exurban, suburban, and urban America. Real change often takes place closest to the people at the local level. Country First Foundation will work to educate citizens on strengthening our democratic institutions and look to invest in nonprofit organizations that seek to implement proven solutions with a lasting impact for the American people.
Country First Foundation at a glance
In short: Country First Foundation gave $580K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $193K), top state Iowa. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $579,500
- +456.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $193,167
- +271.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Primary geography
- Iowa (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Country First Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Country First Action Foundation Inc ($255K). Together the top 3 received $580K.
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 2 grants of 5 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $104K (2023) to $580K (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $580K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Country First Action Foundation Inc Bettendorf, IA | The Organizations's Educational Programs. | $254,500 |
| Keep Country First Policy Action Washington, DC | The Organizations's Educational Programs. | $250,000 |
| Country First Action Inc Moline, IL | The Organizations's Educational Programs. | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $177,886 | $682,892 | $579,500 | 3 | $7 |
| 2023 | $528,120 | $681,494 | $176,488 | $104,051 | 2 | $18 |
About Country First Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Country First Foundation is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Moline, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $580K. Net investment income was $7.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Country First Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Greg Ridenour
Excecutive Director, Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Excecutive Director, Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
$28K (2023) → $18K (2024)
Mario Castillo
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Kinzinger
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Austin Weatherford (2023) — Director & President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "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 $18K, to Greg Ridenour (Excecutive Director, Secretary and Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Country First Foundation
How much does Country First Foundation give each year?
Country First Foundation gave $580K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $104K across 2 grants.
What is Country First Foundation's typical grant size?
Country First Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $250,000, and its average grant was $193,167, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Country First Foundation give grants?
Country First Foundation's top state is Iowa, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (43%) and Illinois (13%).
Does Country First Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Country First Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "The Organizations's Educational Programs." (3 grants).
What is Country First Foundation?
Country First Foundation is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Moline, IL.
What is Country First Foundation's EIN?
Country First Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-3020032. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Live grants for the work Country First Foundation funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Country First Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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