Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation
The DAN AND JOANIE HOUSTON FOUNDATION is a private foundation based in West Des Moines, Iowa. It reported 15 grants totaling $603,600 in filing year 2025; its filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Key facts about Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation
In short: Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation gave $604K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 93-3908911
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $603,600
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- Average grant
- $40,240
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $6,377,302
- Primary geography
- Iowa (83% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.4M
+207.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$604K
+3126.9% YoY
Grant Count
15
+650.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
+330.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation reported a distributable amount of $274K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 221% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including charities, educational institutions, and community organizations. For example, ChildServe describes its mission as partnering with families to help children with special health care needs live a great life. Iowa Confluence Water Trails describes its work as connecting culture, conservation, and adventure by empowering waterways. Starts Right Here says it educates, equips, and empowers young people in disadvantaged and oppressive circumstances.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $603,600. Grants ranged from $300 to $50,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the listed recipients receiving $50,000 each were ChildServe, Iowa Confluence Water Trails, Mercy College of Health Sciences, and Starts Right Here. The West Des Moines Historical Society received $800.
Ready to take the next step with Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa, 8% to Minnesota, and 8% to Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 15 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $19K (2024) to $604K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $604K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Iowa State University ($100K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $550K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 12 grants of 17 (71%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Above Beyond Cancer West Des Moines, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Childserve Johnston, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Drake University - College of Business Des Moines, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Iowa Confluence Water Trails Des Moines, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Iowa State Fair Blue Des Moines, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Iowa State University Ames, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Iowa State University Ames, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Legacy Woods Delano, MN | Community | $50,000 |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IA | Community | $50,000 |
| Principal Charity Classic Des Moines, IA | Community | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,377,302 | $4,913,849 | $608,733 | $603,600 |
| 2024 | $2,072,186 | $1,134,029 | $23,379 | $18,705 |
| 2023 | $961,536 | $961,536 | — | $0 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,377,302 | $2,072,186 | $961,536 |
| Revenue | $4,913,849 | $1,134,029 | $961,536 |
| Expenses | $608,733 | $23,379 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | $603,740 | $19,005 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $622,975 | $142,798 | $23,131 |
| Distributable Amount | $273,742 | $207,981 | $18,705 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Daniel J. Houston as president/treasurer and Joan M. Houston as vice president/secretary.
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation is led by Daniel J. Houston, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2023; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel J. Houston
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan M. Houston
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 501 Grand Oaks Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: (515) 248-2604
Frequently asked questions about Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation
How much does Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation give each year?
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation gave $604K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $19K across 2 grants.
What is Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's typical grant size?
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $40,240, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation give grants?
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Minnesota (8%) and Colorado (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (8 grants), Ames, IA (2 grants) and West Des Moines, IA (2 grants).
Does Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community" (15 grants).
Who are Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's largest grantees?
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Iowa State University ($100,000 across 2 grants), Above Beyond Cancer ($50,000) and Childserve ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation?
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $604K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $274K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including charities, educational institutions, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's EIN?
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-3908911. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Does Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines funds nonprofits through competitive grants for community impact, organizational capacity, and collaboration, with 2026 priorities including housing, transportation, health, economic opportunity, and inclusion. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants had a median of $12,889, while Capacity Building grants are capped at $7,500. Its programs serve Greater Des Moines and, through an affiliated foundation, Adair County; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the profile.
Assets
$918.7M
Grants
1,259
Total Given
$55.7M
Pella Rolscreen Foundation
Pella, IA
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports charitable organizations working in education and community betterment, including civic, cultural, social, and physical-environment programs in communities where Pella Corporation employees live. Large grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 and typically cover no more than 25% of project costs; its 2024 grants had a median of $1,029. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities in communities where Pella has manufacturing plants.
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
433
Total Given
$1.9M
Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino
Altoona, IA
Prairie Meadows funds arts and culture, education, economic development, human services, and youth sports and recreation through grants for projects in central Iowa and across Iowa. Its 2024 grant median was $15,000; program awards range from $100 to $1 million, depending on the grant program.
Assets
$327.6M
Grants
409
Total Given
$33.0M
Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
West Des Moines, IA
The Iowa Health Care Association Foundation funds scholarships and career-education resources for employees of member long-term-care organizations and Iowa high school students pursuing long-term-care careers. Its typical giving level varies: it awarded 287 grants totaling about $4.1 million in 2024, and the listed high school scholarship is $2,000. Its programs focus on Iowa; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$329K
Grants
287
Total Given
$4.1M
Quad Cities Community Foundation
Bettendorf, IA
The Quad Cities Community Foundation supports charitable programs in health and human services, education, arts and culture, the environment, youth services, and community development. It primarily serves Rock Island County, Illinois, and Scott County, Iowa, with affiliate funds reaching nearby counties; its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, while its Operations and Programs Grants accept requests of $5,000–$20,000.
Assets
$209.7M
Grants
263
Total Given
$7.5M
Dupaco RW Hoefer Foundation
Dubuque, IA
The Dupaco RW Hoefer Foundation supports education, charitable work, and organizations or causes that enhance quality of life, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Iowa, followed by Florida, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Grants ranged from $100 to $100,000, with a median of $1,000. It directs applicants to a grant application form and says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$10.2M
Grants
141
Total Given
$440K
New Charitable Foundation
Fort Dodge, IA
Assets
$6K
Grants
264
Total Given
$294K
Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Inc
Ottumwa, IA
The foundation funds community projects in Ottumwa and Wapello County, including work in health, education, housing, economic prosperity, and quality of life. Its annual grantmaking averages about $3 million; Bright Ideas grants are typically $2,500–$30,000, while awards overall vary widely. Bright Ideas accepts applications from eligible nonprofits; strategic grants are by invitation only.
Assets
—
Grants
216
Total Given
$3.1M
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque funds projects addressing community needs, including health, education, support for vulnerable people, nonprofit capacity-building, and collaboration, primarily in Northeast Iowa and through local affiliate foundations. Its 2024 grants had a median of $13,500, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$165.4M
Grants
211
Total Given
$8.0M
Greater Cedar Rapids Community
Cedar Rapids, IA
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation funds nonprofit programs, operating support, endowments, and urgent needs across fields including education, health and human services, arts and culture, and the environment, serving Linn County. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $371,323, with a median of $17,656. It accepts applications through competitive grant programs and some donor-advised funds.
Assets
$229.3M
Grants
209
Total Given
$9.4M
The Seidler Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The Seidler Foundation funds need-based postsecondary scholarships for students in specified Iowa school districts, along with selected arts and culture projects and efforts to reduce childhood hunger and improve food access. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $300,000, with a median of $10,000; giving is concentrated in Iowa, Wyoming, Missouri, and Kansas. It accepts written requests, and its filing says grants are not restricted to preselected organizations.
Assets
—
Grants
175
Total Given
$4.1M
RSM US Foundation
Davenport, IA
The RSM US Foundation funds youth education and programs addressing hunger, housing, and health challenges, along with related scholarships, disaster relief, and employee-volunteer grants. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,255 to $257,835, with a median of $21,534, and were distributed across the United States, with some Power of Love support reaching other countries. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$17.5M
Grants
165
Total Given
$5.5M
More Funders in Iowa
Dan and Joanie Houston Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?