Iowa Community Action Association
Iowa Community Action Association (ICAA) is a public charity based in Des Moines, Iowa. It supports Iowa’s 16 Community Action Agencies through training, technical assistance, advocacy, partnerships, and statewide initiatives, and its 2025 filing reports grants to Iowa organizations.
Iowa Community Action Association at a glance
In short: Iowa Community Action Association gave $1.8M across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $99K), mostly in Iowa. 44% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,780,008
- +65.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $98,889
- +47.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $71,731
- Total assets
- $534,134
- -55.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (8 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Iowa Community Action Association
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 41608, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 244-0328
Website: https://iowacommunityaction.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Iowa Community Action Association
Embrace Iowa Fund
Iowa Community Action Association
Amount
Up to $500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Google Ad Grants
Listed byIowa Community Action Association
Amount
$10,000
Deadline
Ongoing
Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation Funds
Iowa Community Action Association
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Iowa Community Action Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Upper Des Moines Opportunity ($260K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 83 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ICAA is based in Des Moines and describes its work as supporting Community Action Agencies throughout Iowa. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Iowa Community Action Association open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 18 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $112K; repeat grants $89K. How we count
Medians: $93K first-time, $64K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $820K (2023) to $5.7M (2019). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Des Moines Opportunity Graettinger, IA | Rent Assistance, Individual Disaster Assistance | $260,240 |
| Sieda Community Action Ottumwa, IA | Diaper, Disaster and Fiscal Agent | $210,470 |
| Hawkeye Area Community Action Hiawatha, IA | Rent Assistance, Individual Disaster Assistance | $207,233 |
| Community Action of Southeast Iowa Burlington, IA | Rent Assistance, Individual Disaster Relief | $148,763 |
| Impact Community Action Des Moines, IA | Rent Assistance, Individual Disaster Assistance | $124,854 |
| Young Parents Network Inc Cedar Rapids, IA | Rent Assistance, Individual Disaster Assistance | $113,558 |
| West Central Community Action Harlan, IA | Disaster Assistance | $108,934 |
| South Central Iowa Community Action Chariton, IA | Rent Assistance, Disaster Assistance | $93,840 |
| North Iowa Community Action Mason City, IA | Disaster Relief and Case Management | $71,916 |
| Community Action of Siouxland Sioux City, IA | Rent Assistance | $71,546 |
Ready to take the next step with Iowa Community Action Association?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $534,134 | $2,309,294 | $2,316,006 | $1,780,008 | 18 | $1,892 |
| 2024 | $1,211,871 | $3,730,016 | $3,603,500 | $1,074,397 | 16 | $3,921 |
| 2023 | $1,000,836 | $2,638,595 | $2,688,042 | $819,572 | 16 | $3,955 |
| 2022 | $481,501 | $2,308,634 | $2,355,658 | $1,373,187 | 16 | $1,107 |
| 2021 | $753,837 | $3,823,427 | $3,802,255 | $3,079,593 | 17 | $1,857 |
| 2020 | $970,474 | $2,141,485 | $2,164,108 | $1,328,024 | 17 | $2,507 |
| 2019 | $764,942 | $6,438,704 | $6,378,537 | $5,730,437 | 17 | $17,270 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ICAA’s mission is to educate, advocate for, and connect Community Action Agencies to amplify a unified voice in service of Iowans facing economic hardship.
Its 2024 filing describes the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Iowa Disaster Case Advocacy as supporting families affected by severe weather under a governor’s disaster declaration. The filing says eligible families could apply through area Community Action Agencies for up to $7,000 in assistance, and that the program’s funding and oversight moved to the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management effective July 1, 2023. The filing also describes the 3DRP pilot program as funding diaper supplies and home visitation services for participating families with diaper-aged children.
The organizations receiving ICAA grants include local Community Action Agencies and other Iowa organizations. For example, Upper Des Moines Opportunity describes its mission as addressing poverty’s effects on individuals and families and building stronger communities. Southern Iowa Economic Development describes its work as addressing poverty through community engagement, economic support, education, family support, and housing stabilization. Young Parents Network describes its purpose as providing education and resources to help develop healthy and successful families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ICAA reported 18 grants totaling $1,780,008. Grant amounts ranged from $30,525 to $260,240, with a median of $71,731. The listed purposes include rent assistance, individual disaster assistance, disaster relief and case management, and diaper programs.
Among the largest listed awards were $260,240 to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, $210,470 to SIEDA Community Action, $207,233 to Hawkeye Area Community Action, $148,763 to Community Action of Southeast Iowa, and $124,854 to IMPACT Community Action.
The listed Literacy Opportunity Fund offers awards of $3,000–$6,000 for literacy initiatives and programs. Its listed 2026 deadlines, April 1 and July 1, have passed; the listing also says applications are accepted year-round. The Looking Out Foundation listing offers $1,000–$5,000, with a restriction of no more than one application per 12-month period; its listed February 1 and August 1, 2026 deadlines have passed. The Promote Military & Veteran Community Health & Well-Being Funds listing says awards vary and focuses on community health and well-being initiatives for military members and veterans. Its listed June 15, 2026 deadline has passed; the listing also says applications are accepted year-round.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Trisha Wilkins as president, Chad Jensen as vice president, Cindy Davis as treasurer, and Brenda Fry as secretary. It also lists Anne Bacon, Danna Buls, Jane Drapeaux, Brian Dunn, Julie Edwards, and Barb Grant as directors.
Iowa Community Action Association is led by Katherine Riley Harrington, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katherine Riley Harrington
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$74K (2022) → $101K (2025)
Trisha Wilkins
President
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Bacon
Director
Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barb Grant
Director
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Dunn
Director
Vice President → President, 2021
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clarissa Thompson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Drapeaux
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Logan
Director
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Wilson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Mueller
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Danna Buls
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Edwards
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Harpenau
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Sheridan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Fry
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Jensen
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Davis
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Dick Sievers (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: John Murphy (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Roger Pavey (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Jamey Whitney (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Lana Shope (2019–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Ron Ludwig (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Myra Thompson (2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Dick Goerdt (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: John Wilson (2019–2020) — Director
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 $101K, to Katherine Riley Harrington (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Iowa Community Action Association
How much does Iowa Community Action Association give each year?
Iowa Community Action Association gave $1.8M across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 16 grants.
What is Iowa Community Action Association's typical grant size?
Iowa Community Action Association's median grant in 2025 was $71,731, and its average grant was $98,889, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Iowa Community Action Association that year got $112K on average.
Where does Iowa Community Action Association give grants?
Iowa Community Action Association gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Waterloo, IA (2 grants).
Does Iowa Community Action Association give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Iowa Community Action Association's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Rent Assistance, Individual Disaster Assistance" (6 grants).
Who are Iowa Community Action Association's largest grantees?
Iowa Community Action Association's largest 2025 grantees include Upper Des Moines Opportunity ($260,240), Sieda Community Action ($210,470) and Hawkeye Area Community Action ($207,233), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Iowa Community Action Association?
Iowa Community Action Association reported $534K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What does Iowa Community Action Association fund?
ICAA’s mission is to educate, advocate for, and connect Community Action Agencies to amplify a unified voice in service of Iowans facing economic hardship. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Iowa Community Action Association?
Iowa Community Action Association has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check iowacommunityaction.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Iowa Community Action Association's EIN?
Iowa Community Action Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1183068. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Iowa Community Action Association funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Iowa Community Action Association's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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—
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Assets
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211
Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Iowa Community Action Association funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/iowa-community-action-association-morg_fa870294c89a41368a19d1a20e8448a2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421183068_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Iowa Community Action Association funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/iowa-community-action-association-morg_fa870294c89a41368a19d1a20e8448a2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Iowa Community Action Association'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 Community Action Association down — hundreds of funders to go?