First Federal Credit Union
First Federal Credit Union is a private foundation based in Hiawatha, Iowa, and files as a Form 990-PF. Its 2025 grants supported charitable organizations and community activities, including education, meals, scholarships, food assistance, youth sports, and flood relief.
First Federal Credit Union at a glance
In short: First Federal Credit Union gave $25K across 32 grants in 2025 (avg $779.688), mostly in Iowa. 66% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $24,950
- +19.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 32
- +18.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $780
- +0.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $324,853
- +6.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 66% first-time grantees (21 of 32, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to First Federal Credit Union
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1035 N Center Point Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233
Phone: (319) 286-2973
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who First Federal Credit Union funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was African American Family Resiliency ($2K). Together the top 10 received $11K.
Grant Size Distribution
125 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 125 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa and 2% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is First Federal Credit Union open to new grantees?
66%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 21 of 32 grantees (66%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $798; repeat grants $745. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $750 repeat.
- 28% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 151% 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 $15K (2023) to $26K (2021). In 2025 it made 32 grants totaling $25K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| African American Family Resiliency Cedar Rapids, IA | Education | $1,500 |
| Green Square Meals Cedar Rapids, IA | Support Meals Program | $1,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters (Jan) Cedar Rapids, IA | Fundraising Event Sponsor | $1,000 |
| Clay County Ag Extension Spencer, IA | Support Building Construction | $1,000 |
| Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Marion, IA | Event Sponsor | $1,000 |
| Hiawatha Public Library Hiawatha, IA | Support Food Pantry | $1,000 |
| City of Hiwatha Soccer Hiawtha, IA | Youth Soccer Sponsorship | $1,000 |
| Freedom Foundation Cedar Rapids, IA | Veterans Food Pantry | $1,000 |
| University of Northern Iowa (P Ken Cedar Falls, IA | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Coe College (E Renshaw) Cedar Rapids, IA | Scholarship | $1,000 |
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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 | $324,853 | $49,972 | $29,982 | $24,950 | 32 | $26,945 | $34,392 | — |
| 2024 | $304,863 | $35,319 | $25,949 | $20,950 | 27 | $22,142 | $15,624 | $14,655 |
| 2023 | $289,248 | $32,699 | $19,674 | $14,950 | 19 | $16,114 | $13,252 | $13,319 |
| 2022 | $253,993 | $31,173 | $24,453 | $20,300 | 25 | $21,212 | $10,443 | $12,828 |
| 2021 | $294,855 | $32,347 | $30,159 | $26,145 | 22 | $27,015 | $10,786 | $5,465 |
| 2020 | $273,828 | $22,865 | $23,335 | $19,643 | 15 | — | $5,171 | $6,425 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for educational programs and scholarships, food assistance, youth activities, community organizations, building repairs, and disaster relief.
Some grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Housing Fund for Linn County says it works to expand affordable housing opportunities in Linn County. Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa says its mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Indian Creek Nature Center describes its work as environmental education, land protection and restoration, and encouraging responsible interaction with nature. Mission of Hope describes itself as a Christ-centered ministry providing emergency relief, restoration, and development services to formerly incarcerated people, people experiencing homelessness or addiction, and others in need. Salute to the Fallen describes its work as raising awareness and providing financial assistance for military causes, veterans, and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 32 grants totaling $24,950. Grants ranged from $100 to $1,500, with a median of $1,000.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $1,500 to African American Family Resiliency for education; $1,000 each to Green Square Meals for its meals program, Clay County Ag Extension for building construction, Hiawatha Public Library for its food pantry, University of Northern Iowa and Coe College for scholarships, and Clay County Community Foundation for flood relief.
Other 2025 recipients included Salute to the Fallen ($850), Housing Fund for Linn County ($750), Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa ($500), Indian Creek Nature Center ($500), and Mission of Hope ($500).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary Lawrence as president and C. Thomas Chalstrom, Jessica Fergesen, Geneva Williams, Nancy Kahle, Tracy Jackson, and Nicole Osterhaus as directors.
First Federal Credit Union is led by Mary Lawrence, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Lawrence
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Geneva Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nancy Kahle
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nicole Osterhaus
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Tracy Jackson
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
C. Thomas Chalstrom
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Jessica Fergesen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Doug Netolicky (2020–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Tom Chalstrom (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Greta Hart (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nancy Peterson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tracy Yordi (2022) — Director
- Former: Ann Schreck (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about First Federal Credit Union
How much does First Federal Credit Union give each year?
First Federal Credit Union gave $25K across 32 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $21K across 27 grants.
What is First Federal Credit Union's typical grant size?
First Federal Credit Union's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $780, across 32 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from First Federal Credit Union that year got $798 on average.
Where does First Federal Credit Union give grants?
First Federal Credit Union gives mostly in Iowa: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cedar Rapids, IA (21 grants), Spencer, IA (3 grants) and Marion, IA (2 grants).
Does First Federal Credit Union give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 32 grants with a stated purpose on First Federal Credit Union's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Event Sponsor" (9 grants) and "Fundraising Event Sponsor" (3 grants).
Who are First Federal Credit Union's largest grantees?
First Federal Credit Union's largest 2025 grantees include African American Family Resiliency ($1,500), Green Square Meals ($1,000) and Big Brothers Big Sisters (Jan) ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is First Federal Credit Union?
First Federal Credit Union reported $325K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $50K.
What does First Federal Credit Union fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for educational programs and scholarships, food assistance, youth activities, community organizations, building repairs, and disaster relief. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from First Federal Credit Union?
The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is First Federal Credit Union's EIN?
First Federal Credit Union's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5181234. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does First Federal Credit Union accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 July 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work First Federal Credit Union funds
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Figures come from First Federal Credit Union'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.
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