Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
To empower and unite grassroots people of all races to take control of their communities; involve them in identifying problems and needs; and in taking action to address them; and be a vehicle for social, economic and environmental justice.
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement at a glance
In short: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement gave $223K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), top state South Dakota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $222,750
- +285.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,688
- +285.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $59,250
- Total assets
- $4,163,100
- +12.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dakota Rural Action ($59K). Together the top 4 received $223K.
Grant Size Distribution
29 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 29 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement gives
- Giving grew 112% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $58K (2024) to $303K (2021). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $223K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dakota Rural Action Brookings, SD | Campaign for family farms and the environment (CFFE) support | $59,250 |
| Land Stewardship Project Minneapolis, MN | Campaign for family farms and the environment (CFFE) support | $59,250 |
| Missouri Rural Crisis Center Columbia, MO | Campaign for family farms and the environment (CFFE) support | $59,250 |
| Illinois Stewardship Alliance Springfield, IL | Campaign for family farms and the environment (CFFE) support | $45,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,163,100 | $1,984,766 | $1,595,049 | $222,750 | 4 | $71,745 |
| 2024 | $3,694,497 | $1,798,995 | $1,512,269 | $57,750 | 4 | $113,734 |
| 2023 | $3,344,657 | $1,841,850 | $1,651,901 | $119,441 | 5 | $62,230 |
| 2022 | $3,091,814 | $2,098,151 | $1,567,869 | $105,000 | 6 | $16,888 |
| 2021 | $2,703,083 | $1,659,546 | $1,680,325 | $303,152 | 10 | $9,008 |
| 2020 | $2,574,721 | $2,392,305 | $1,546,477 | $173,750 | 4 | $11,356 |
| 2019 | $1,685,652 | $1,292,940 | $1,121,373 | — | — | $9,833 |
About Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Based on IRS filings
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Des Moines, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $4.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $223K. Net investment income was $72K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is led by Elisabeth Whelan, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elisabeth Whelan
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
46.5 hrs/week
$74K (2023) → $87K (2025)
Barb Kalbach
President
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Turner
President
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Goodman
Director
Vice President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phouthasack Keopraseuth
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Bird
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bri Moss
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Neubert
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Misty Rebik
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Curt Nelson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Shilling
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laural Clinton
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean O'Donnell
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Farley
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Hugh Espey (2019–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Tom Mohan (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Matthea Little-Smith (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chris Robinson (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jan Wann (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Matthew Peirce (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Paul Wittau (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Janis Elliott (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Patti McKee (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Barb Lang (2019) — Director
- Former: Cherie Mortice (2019) — President
- Former: Nick Schutt (2019) — Director
- Former: Phyllis Burget (2019) — Director
- Former: Rosie Partridge (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $87K, to Elisabeth Whelan (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
How much does Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement give each year?
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement gave $223K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $58K across 4 grants.
What is Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's typical grant size?
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's median grant in 2025 was $59,250, and its average grant was $55,688, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement give grants?
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's top state is South Dakota, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Minnesota (27%) and Missouri (27%).
Does Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE) Support" (4 grants).
How large is Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement?
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement reported $4.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What is Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement?
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Des Moines, IA. It holds $4.2M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's EIN?
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1110721. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 19, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Farm Aid Inc
Cambridge, MA
Farm Aid supports U.S. nonprofits strengthening family farms through local food systems, farmer resources and crisis assistance, and advocacy for fair farm policies. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $10,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.3M
Grants
126
Total Given
$1.4M
The Schmidt Family Foundation
Palo Alto, CA
The Schmidt Family Foundation funds nonprofits working in education, human welfare, community health, and community development, with recent grants also supporting ocean stewardship, climate and energy, human rights, Indigenous land stewardship, civic engagement, youth, and food systems. Its 2024 grants had a median of $130,000, with amounts ranging from $400 to $8 million; grant dollars went mainly to organizations in California, New York, Washington, and the District of Columbia. It describes an online application process and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations; deadlines and application details are online.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
695
Total Given
$185.4M
Builders Vision Foundation
Chicago, IL
Builders Vision Foundation supports early-stage innovations and market growth in sustainable food and agriculture, clean energy, and oceans, with some funding for Chicago-area community work. In 2024, its grants ranged from $1,000 to $4 million, with a median grant of $150,000, and recipients were concentrated in Illinois, though the foundation also funded organizations in other states. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
390
Total Given
$96.8M
Proteus Action League
Waltham, MA
Proteus Action League funds legislative advocacy, issue-focused reform campaigns, civil rights, and efforts to strengthen democracy and human rights. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $150,000, with a median of $15,000, and went to organizations in multiple states, with the largest shares in New York, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
42
Total Given
$1.3M
Proteus Fund Inc
Waltham, MA
Proteus Fund supports social justice initiatives advancing racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and inclusive democracy, primarily through national grantmaking and collaborative funds. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests; its RISE Together Fund has a separate, time-limited open call.
Assets
$67.1M
Grants
219
Total Given
$21.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Iowa
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement'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.
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement down — hundreds of funders to go?