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.
Key facts about EMC Insurance Foundation
- EIN
- 42-1343474
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,501,952
- Grants made (2025)
- 108
- Average grant
- $13,907
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Primary geography
- Iowa (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The Foundation accepts applications through an online application portal. Funding Mechanism: Each year, EMC Insurance Companies allocates the equivalent of one-tenth of one percent of the prior year's surplus to grantmaking through the Foundation.
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.
Who EMC Insurance Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for EMC Insurance Foundation's 108 itemized 2025 grants were Iowa (90%). 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). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-3.1% YoY
Grant Count
108
+1.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-4.9% 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
Share of all 108 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
568 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Orchard Place ($166,500), United Way of Central Iowa ($160,498), Des Moines Performing Arts ($125,000).
| 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 |
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 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Jean | Chairman | 5 | — |
| Sarah Buckley | Executive Director | 20 | — |
| Ron Herman | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Nicole Hansman | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Doug Van Zanten | Secretary | 5 | — |
| Jennifer Rhoads | Director | 5 | — |
| Sharon Cooper | Director | 5 | — |
| David J W Proctor | Director | 5 | $1,500 |
| 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EMC Insurance Foundation fund?
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 • A…
How do I apply for a grant from EMC Insurance Foundation?
**Annual Giving:** $1.55 million (2024) **Grant Range:** $1,000 - $10,000+, with an average grant size of approximately $12,000 **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2024: 102 nonprofit grants awarded; 88 sponsored community events • 2023: 127 grants awarded totaling $1,530,673 • 2022: Supported 275+ organizations through philanthropy and volunteerism **Grant Types:** The Foundation primarily funds general support or capital fund drives for various organizations. **Recent Grant Recipients Include:** • O…
Where does EMC Insurance Foundation make 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
What size grants does EMC Insurance Foundation award?
In 2025, EMC Insurance Foundation awarded 108 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in EMC Insurance Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.