EMC Insurance Foundation
The EMC Insurance Foundation is the philanthropic arm of EMC Insurance Companies, a member-owned property and casualty insurance organization. Established in 1989, the Foundation operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. The Foundation is governed by a board of directors and has distributed more than $33 million in charitable giving since its inception.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+1.3% YoY
Grant Count
106
-15.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+20.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to improve lives and help communities thrive. The organization works with associations and organizations to find better ways to serve people through charitable contributions, volunteer efforts, sponsorships, and partnerships with professional trade organizations.
Key focus areas include:
- Community development and neighborhood improvement
- Education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) initiatives
- Food security and hunger relief
- Affordable housing
- Arts and culture
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives
- United Way support
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $1,000 - $10,000+, with an average grant size of approximately $12,000
Average Grant
of approximately $12,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
** The Foundation accepts applications through an online application portal.
Ready to take the next step with EMC Insurance Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation operates nationally with emphasis on:
- Iowa (primary focus)
- States with EMC branch offices: Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and 18+ other states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $20,757,969
- Total Revenues: $16,945,842
- Total Expenses: $1,585,628
- Foundation Giving: $1.55 million
Cumulative Giving: $33+ million since inception in 1989
Volunteer Engagement:
- 2024: 6,149 volunteer time off (VTO) hours used by team members
- 2023: 6,242 VTO hours used by team members
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Scott Jean serves as EMC President and CEO and is quoted in Foundation announcements regarding the organization's philanthropic mission and community involvement strategy.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Jean | Chairman | 5 | — |
| Sarah Buckley | Executive Director | 20 | — |
| Ron Herman | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Doug Van Zanten | Secretary | 5 | — |
| Jennifer Rhoads | Director | 5 | — |
| Sharon Cooper | Director | 5 | — |
| David J W Proctor | Director | 5 | $2,000 |
| Bruce Kelley | Director | 5 | $2,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Community Impact:**
Supported diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives through sponsorship of community events including CelebrAsian, Iowa Juneteenth, Latino Heritage Festival, and Girls on the Run 5K
292 team members participated in seven business resource groups
Supported Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity's Carter Court Blitz Build to provide families with stable, affordable homes
United Way team member giving and company match totaled $624,907
**2023 Community Impact:**
Enhanced accessibility at Hoyt Sherman Place through support of the EMC Insurance Plaza Lawn Enhancement Project, creating an outdoor performance space for free concerts and community events
EMC Insurance's 2023 Charitable Giving and Community ImpactHosted donation drives supporting United Way's Stuff the Bus book drive, Day of Action school pantry hygiene drive, and Orchard Place's holiday gift drive
**2022 Community Impact:**
Supported Science Center of Iowa's Innovation Lab to inspire the next generation of thinkers and makers through STEAM learning opportunities
Organized three donation drop-off drives at the EMC campus, with team members donating over 1,000 hygiene products to Des Moines Public Schools hygiene pantries
Total United Way impact: $517,151
Contact Information
Address: 700 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3817
Phone: 515-345-2788
Website: https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/community-involvement
EIN: 42-1343474
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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