Iowa Credit Union Foundation
The Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) is a public charity based in West Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 1995, it is the philanthropic arm of the Iowa credit union movement and the Iowa Credit Union League, and supports financial well-being through grants, education, research, and programs for credit unions and communities.
Iowa Credit Union Foundation at a glance
In short: Iowa Credit Union Foundation gave $161K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $161,200
- +437.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +266.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,655
- +46.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,489,616
- +5.7% vs 2024
- 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.
How to apply to Iowa Credit Union Foundation
- How to Apply
-
For Financial Inclusion Grants, eligible organizations must first be nominated by an Iowa credit union and then invited to apply.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7745 Office Plaza Dr North 170, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515) 221-3002
Website: https://iowacreditunionfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Who Iowa Credit Union Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kick It Forward Inc ($50K). Together the top 10 received $156K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 20 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa. The Financial Inclusion Grant Program is described as supporting financial well-being for minority communities across Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How Iowa Credit Union Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $10K (2021) to $161K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $161K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kick It Forward Inc Des Moines, IA | Community 1ST Cu Donor Advised Fund Grant | $50,000 |
| Indian Hills Community College Foundation Ottumwa, IA | Community 1ST Cu Donor Advised Fund Grant | $20,000 |
| Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Des Moines, IA | Icuf Annual Grant | $15,000 |
| University of Northern Iowa Foundation Cedar Falls, IA | UNI Business Financial Literacy Education | $12,000 |
| House of Hope Waterloo, IA | Financial Inclusion Program | $10,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Inc Des Moines, IA | Financial Inclusion Program | $10,000 |
| Tapestry Farms Davenport, IA | Financial Inclusion Program | $10,000 |
| Niad Center for Human Development Mason City, IA | Financial Inclusion Program | $10,000 |
| Food Bank of Iowa Des Moines, IA | Community 1ST Cu Donor Advised Fund Grant | $10,000 |
| Time for Tots Inc Harlan, IA | Community 1ST Cu Donor Advised Fund Grant | $8,700 |
Ready to take the next step with Iowa Credit Union Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,489,616 | $802,560 | $731,230 | $161,200 | 11 | $142,935 |
| 2024 | $2,356,286 | $618,826 | $568,535 | $30,000 | 3 | $96,489 |
| 2023 | $2,249,491 | $494,711 | $471,852 | $36,000 | 3 | $51,696 |
| 2022 | $2,092,625 | $425,847 | $426,890 | $20,000 | 2 | $-2,588 |
| 2021 | $2,331,808 | $632,907 | $334,354 | $10,000 | 1 | $141,973 |
| 2020 | $2,063,197 | $2,518,055 | $1,037,208 | $65,000 | 4 | $32,343 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ICUF’s mission is to champion financial well-being for all, guided by the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Its vision is to be a hub for credit union philanthropy.
Its programs include community research, financial coach training, disaster relief assistance, scholarships, individual development accounts with matched savings for eligible working savers, and funding for credit unions’ technology, strategic planning, and other services. The foundation also funds community organizations through initiatives such as its Financial Inclusion Grant Program, which supports work to advance financial inclusion and improve financial well-being for minority populations in areas including affordable housing, business ownership, childcare, education, employment, and health access and outcomes.
Grantees in 2025 included organizations whose own missions span varied community work. Kick It Forward says it develops youth soccer players’ athletic and life skills; Indian Hills Community College says it provides scholarships to qualified students; and the University of Northern Iowa Foundation says it grows and sustains private resources to support the university and its people and programs. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity describes its work as bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Food Bank of Iowa says it distributes food through nonprofit member agencies, while Tapestry Farms describes itself as an urban farm system investing in refugees in the Quad Cities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ICUF reported 11 grants totaling $161,200. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest reported awards were $50,000 to Kick It Forward and $20,000 to Indian Hills Community College Foundation, both identified as Community 1st CU Donor Advised Fund grants. Other notable awards included $15,000 to Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence for an ICUF annual grant and $12,000 to University of Northern Iowa Foundation for business financial literacy education. Four organizations received $10,000 each for financial inclusion programs: House of Hope, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Tapestry Farms, and NIAD Center for Human Development.
For Financial Inclusion Grants, Iowa credit unions must nominate qualifying community organizations before they can apply. Nominated organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply for grants of $5,000 to $10,000. ICUF reviews eligible applications and pays selected organizations directly. The website does not specify application materials or a deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jordan Hensley as chair, Julie Willse as vice chair, Rebecca Neades as secretary, and Jennifer Naeve as treasurer. Directors listed are Alejandro Alaniz, Mary Bontrager, Dave Cale, Donna Dyer, Kim Fettkether, and Paula O’Rourke.
The foundation’s website identifies Ena Babic Barnes as executive director and Grace McKenna as program manager.
Iowa Credit Union Foundation is led by Jelena Babic Barnes, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jelena Babic Barnes
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$79K (2022) → $101K (2025)
Jordan Hensley
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Bontrager
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula O'Rourke
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alejandro Alaniz
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Fettkether
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Cale
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Dyer
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Parks
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Ramos
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Traci Stiles
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Naeve
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Willse
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Neades
Secretary
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Adam Carroll (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Anderson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Marian Holmes (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Angela Drury (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ann McMillian (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Danielle Gratton (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Donna Dyer-Bischoff (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jaimie Miller-Ackley (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Keith Mesch (2020–2021) — Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $101K, to Jelena Babic Barnes (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Iowa Credit Union Foundation
How much does Iowa Credit Union Foundation give each year?
Iowa Credit Union Foundation gave $161K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $30K across 3 grants.
What is Iowa Credit Union Foundation's typical grant size?
Iowa Credit Union Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,655, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Iowa Credit Union Foundation give grants?
Iowa Credit Union Foundation 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 Des Moines, IA (4 grants).
Does Iowa Credit Union Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Iowa Credit Union Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Inclusion Program" (5 grants) and "Community 1ST Cu Donor Advised Fund Grant" (4 grants).
Who are Iowa Credit Union Foundation's largest grantees?
Iowa Credit Union Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Kick It Forward Inc ($50,000), Indian Hills Community College Foundation ($20,000) and Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Iowa Credit Union Foundation?
Iowa Credit Union Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $803K.
What does Iowa Credit Union Foundation fund?
ICUF’s mission is to champion financial well-being for all, guided by the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Its vision is to be a hub for credit union philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Iowa Credit Union Foundation?
For Financial Inclusion Grants, eligible organizations must first be nominated by an Iowa credit union and then invited to apply. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Iowa Credit Union Foundation's EIN?
Iowa Credit Union Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1438113. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Iowa
Iowa Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Iowa Credit Union Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Iowa Credit Union Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/iowa-credit-union-foundation-morg_20f68a239ee54384b4bd19ab6c0ce6eb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421438113_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Iowa Credit Union Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/iowa-credit-union-foundation-morg_20f68a239ee54384b4bd19ab6c0ce6eb},
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 Credit Union Foundation'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 Credit Union Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?