Empowering Others the Signature
Empowering Others the Signature is a private foundation, based in Urbandale, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $60K. Net investment income was $44K.
Empowering Others the Signature at a glance
In short: Empowering Others the Signature gave $60K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $60,000
- +55.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,571
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $1,056,732
- -0.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Iowa (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Empowering Others the Signature funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hope Ministries ($25K). Together the top 7 received $60K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Empowering Others the Signature gives
- Giving grew 943% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2022) to $60K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $60K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hope Ministries Des Moines, IA | Hope Center for Women and Children | $25,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities Des Moines, IA | Assist Mission | $10,000 |
| Home Opportunities Made Easy Inc Des Moines, IA | Assist Mission | $7,500 |
| Orchard Place Des Moines, IA | Assist Mission | $7,500 |
| Everystep Hospice Des Moines, IA | Assist Mission | $5,000 |
| Pinky Swear Foundation Edina, MN | Assist Mission | $3,000 |
| Make-a-Wish Foundation Urbandale, IA | Assist Mission | $2,000 |
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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 | $1,056,732 | $54,374 | $61,502 | $60,000 | 7 | $60,470 | $43,904 | $61,677 |
| 2024 | $1,063,860 | $43,318 | $39,475 | $38,580 | 6 | $38,580 | $43,318 | $57,148 |
| 2023 | $1,060,017 | $47,556 | $27,257 | $26,535 | 4 | $26,535 | $47,556 | $51,138 |
| 2022 | $1,039,718 | $1,010,183 | $6,393 | $5,750 | 3 | $5,750 | $10,183 | $27,957 |
| 2021 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $14,072 | $10,000 | 1 | $10,000 | — | $650 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Empowering Others the Signature reported a distributable amount of $62K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Empowering Others the Signature is led by Janel R. Hansen, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Janel R. Hansen
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
David I. Hansen
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Empowering Others the Signature
How much does Empowering Others the Signature give each year?
Empowering Others the Signature gave $60K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $39K across 6 grants.
What is Empowering Others the Signature's typical grant size?
Empowering Others the Signature's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $8,571, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Empowering Others the Signature give grants?
Empowering Others the Signature gives mostly in Iowa: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (5 grants).
Does Empowering Others the Signature give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Empowering Others the Signature's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Assist Mission" (6 grants).
Who are Empowering Others the Signature's largest grantees?
Empowering Others the Signature's largest 2025 grantees include Hope Ministries ($25,000), Ronald McDonald House Charities ($10,000) and Home Opportunities Made Easy Inc ($7,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Empowering Others the Signature?
Empowering Others the Signature reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $60K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $62K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Empowering Others the Signature's EIN?
Empowering Others the Signature's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-3698221. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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