First Citizens Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a private grantmaking foundation established under the Iowa Non-Profit Corporation Act on December 27, 1995. Based in Mason City, Iowa, the foundation is organized for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$453K
+20.5% YoY
Grant Count
80
+8.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+11.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the northern Iowa and Minnesota counties served by First Citizens Bank. Primary areas of interest include:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Health, including medical care and mental health
- Human services
- Housing
- Hunger and homelessness
- Community improvement
- Support for low-to-moderate income individuals
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $500 to $65,000, with historical grants ranging from $250 to $40,000.
Review Cycle
are June 1 and November 15. Applicants can submit applications online or by mail to the foundation office.
How to Apply
** The foundation board meets twice annually to consider requests in June and December. Application deadlines are June 1 and November 15. Applicants can submit applications online or by mail to the foundation office.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation restricts funding to counties served by First Citizens Bank operations:
Iowa counties: Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Chickasaw, Wright, Franklin, and Butler
Minnesota counties: Kanabec, Pine, and Isanti
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $1.49 million
- Total Revenue: $483,000
- Total Expenses: $391,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Grant Activity:
- Total Giving (2024): $453,300
- Average grant amount varies by award
The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since May 1996 (EIN: 42-1451615).
| 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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from First Citizens Charitable
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedar River Complex ($25,000), 43 North Iowa ($20,000), Iowa Pbs Foundation ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 43 NORTH IOWA MASON CITY, IA | INNOVATION PROJECT AT BLDG SITE | $20,000 |
| 52 LOAVES 2 FISH INC GARNER, IA | FOUNDATION MATCHING GIFT | $1,000 |
| ALTA VISTA FIREFIGHTERS ASSOC ALTA VISTA, IA | THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN LEGION POST 208 ROCKWELL, IA | NEW AMERICAN LEGION BLDG | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN LEGION POST 174 CHARLES CITY, IA | FACILITY REHAB | $3,000 |
| AVALON CENTER CHARLES CITY, IA | ROOF REPLACEMENT PJCT | $1,000 |
| BELMOND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL BELMOND, IA | FETAL MONITORING/ BLADDER SCANNER | $7,000 |
| CARING PREGNANCY CENTER MASON CITY, IA | EMERENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | $1,000 |
| CEDAR RIVER COMPLEX OSAGE, IA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $25,000 |
| CHARLES CITY ARTS COUNCIL CHARLES CITY, IA | CHARLES CITY ARTS FESTIVAL | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Patricia A. Tomson – Executive Director
- O Jay Tomson – President
- Gordon Anderson – Director
- Amy Nelson – Board Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does First Citizens Charitable fund?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the northern Iowa and Minnesota counties served by First Citizens Bank. Primary areas of interest include: • Arts and culture • Education • Health, including medical care and mental health • Human services • Housing • Hunger and homelessness • Community improvement • Support for low-to-moderate income individuals
How do I apply for a grant from First Citizens Charitable?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $500 to $65,000, with historical grants ranging from $250 to $40,000. **Application Process:** The foundation board meets twice annually to consider requests in June and December. Application deadlines are June 1 and November 15. Applicants can submit applications online or by mail to the foundation office. **Contact for Applications:** Amy Nelson, First Citizens Charitable Foundation Secretary, can be reached at 641-380-3424 or through the foundation'…
Where does First Citizens Charitable make grants?
The foundation restricts funding to counties served by First Citizens Bank operations: **Iowa counties:** Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Chickasaw, Wright, Franklin, and Butler **Minnesota counties:** Kanabec, Pine, and Isanti
What size grants does First Citizens Charitable award?
In 2024, First Citizens Charitable awarded 80 grants totaling $453K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is First Citizens Charitable's EIN?
First Citizens Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1451615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Citizens Charitable's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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