EMC Insurance Foundation
The EMC Insurance Foundation is a private foundation based in Des Moines, Iowa. It works with associations and organizations on charitable contributions, volunteer efforts, sponsorships, and partnerships, with the stated aim of improving lives and helping communities thrive.
EMC Insurance Foundation at a glance
In short: EMC Insurance Foundation gave $1.5M across 108 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in Iowa. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,501,952
- -3.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 108
- +1.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,907
- -4.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $28,794,571
- +38.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (6 of 101, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to EMC Insurance Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing lists Sarah Buckley as the contact and says to provide the intended use of funds, verification of IRS 501(c)(3) status, and a list of major donors. Generally, only Iowa-based charitable organizations are funded.
- Contact
Application contact: Sarah Buckley
Mailing address: PO Box 712, Des Moines, IA 50306-0712
Phone: (515) 345-4588
Website: https://emcinsurance.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who EMC Insurance Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Orchard Place ($167K). Together the top 10 received $819K.
Grant Size Distribution
568 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 519 grants of 568 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s 2025 grant dollars were concentrated in Iowa, which received 90%. The remaining reported shares went to Delaware (3%), Maryland (2%), Kansas (1%), and Texas (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 108 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is EMC Insurance Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 101 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 175% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2025) to $1.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 108 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Orchard Place Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $166,500 |
| United Way of Central Iowa Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $160,498 |
| Des Moines Performing Arts Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $125,000 |
| Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $66,666 |
| Blank Park Zoo Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| ChildServe Inc Johnston, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| Iowa State University Foundation Ames, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| On With Life Foundation Ankeny, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| Homes of Oakridge Human Services Des Moines, IA | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $40,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,794,571 | $9,886,534 | $1,849,932 | $1,501,952 | 108 | $1,506,752 | $16,187,691 | $861,956 |
| 2024 | $20,757,969 | $16,945,842 | $1,585,628 | $1,549,855 | 106 | $1,555,628 | $9,669,332 | $280,102 |
| 2023 | $5,397,755 | $1,805,513 | $1,554,973 | $1,530,680 | 126 | $1,536,973 | $1,796,969 | $260,287 |
| 2022 | $5,147,215 | $340,102 | $1,718,577 | $1,698,018 | 127 | $1,702,293 | $335,827 | $317,747 |
| 2021 | $6,525,690 | $4,244,709 | $1,606,461 | $1,551,401 | 101 | $1,557,301 | $3,702,416 | $326,415 |
| 2020 | $3,887,442 | $672,774 | $1,573,166 | $1,562,466 | 86 | — | $663,474 | $260,085 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, EMC Insurance Foundation reported a distributable amount of $862K 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
The Foundation’s stated aim is to improve lives and help communities thrive. Its 2025 grants included general support or capital-fund-drive support for organizations serving children and youth, people with health needs, and arts, cultural, and community purposes.
For example, Orchard Place says its mission is to develop strong futures for Iowa children and youth through services for those facing mental and behavioral health challenges. Des Moines Performing Arts says it engages the Midwest in entertainment, education, and cultural activities. ChildServe says it partners with families to help children with special health care needs live a great life. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In its 2025 filing, the Foundation reported 108 grants totaling $1,501,952. Grant amounts ranged from $5 to $166,500, with a median of $5,000. The Foundation’s 2025 community-impact announcement separately reported grants to 97 nonprofits and total giving of $1.59 million.
The largest 2025 grants included $166,500 to Orchard Place, $160,498 to United Way of Central Iowa, and $125,000 to Des Moines Performing Arts. Other notable awards were $66,666 to Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation; $50,000 each to ChildServe, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Iowa State University Foundation, and On With Life Foundation; $40,000 to Homes of Oakridge Human Services; and $35,000 to Autism Society of America. The filing describes the listed grants as being for general support or a capital fund drive.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Scott Jean as Chairman; Sarah Buckley as Executive Director; Ron Herman and Nicole Hansman as Treasurers; Doug Van Zanten as Secretary; and Jennifer Rhoads, Sharon Cooper, David J W Proctor, and Bruce Kelley as Directors.
EMC Insurance Foundation is led by Sarah L Buckley, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sarah L Buckley
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott R Jean
Chairman
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce G Kelley
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2025)
David J W Proctor
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Sharon Cooper
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Rhoads
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron D Herman
Treasurer
Treaurer → Treasuer, 2022
Treasuer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Van Zanten
Secretary
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Hansman
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Deidre N Williams (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Barnes G Kelley (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: David J Fisher (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Philip T Van Ekeren (2020) — Director
- Former: Ronald D Herman (2020) — Treasurer
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 $2K, to Bruce Kelley (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about EMC Insurance Foundation
How much does EMC Insurance Foundation give each year?
EMC Insurance Foundation gave $1.5M across 108 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 106 grants.
What is EMC Insurance Foundation's typical grant size?
EMC Insurance Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $13,907, across 108 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from EMC Insurance Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does EMC Insurance Foundation give grants?
EMC Insurance Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (38 grants), Urbandale, IA (7 grants), West Des Moines, IA (7 grants) and Johnston, IA (5 grants).
Does EMC Insurance Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of EMC Insurance Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (108 of 108) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are EMC Insurance Foundation's largest grantees?
EMC Insurance Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Orchard Place ($166,500), United Way of Central Iowa ($160,498) and Des Moines Performing Arts ($125,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is EMC Insurance Foundation?
EMC Insurance Foundation reported $28.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $862K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does EMC Insurance Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated aim is to improve lives and help communities thrive. Its 2025 grants included general support or capital-fund-drive support for organizations serving children and youth, people with health needs, and arts, cultural, and community purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from EMC Insurance Foundation?
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 EMC Insurance Foundation's EIN?
EMC Insurance Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1343474. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 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 April 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). EMC Insurance Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/emc-insurance-foundation-morg_1f91fd090ebf4722ba19ad4ba479c175
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421343474_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{EMC Insurance Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/emc-insurance-foundation-morg_1f91fd090ebf4722ba19ad4ba479c175},
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 EMC Insurance Foundation'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.
EMC Insurance Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?