Iowa Credit Union Foundation
The Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) is a public charity based in West Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 1995 as the philanthropic arm of the Iowa credit union movement and the Iowa Credit Union League, it supports financial well-being through grants, scholarships, financial education and coaching, disaster relief, research, and programs for credit unions and communities.
Key facts about Iowa Credit Union Foundation
In short: Iowa Credit Union Foundation gave $161K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 42-1438113
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $161,200
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $14,655
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,489,616
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For Financial Inclusion Grants, an Iowa credit union must nominate the organization before it can be invited to apply. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The Financial Inclusion Grant nomination deadline of April 3, 2026, has passed.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.5M
+5.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$161K
+437.3% YoY
Grant Count
11
+266.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+46.5% YoY
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.
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 stated vision is to be a hub for credit union philanthropy.
The Financial Inclusion Grant Program supports community organizations working to improve financial well-being for minority communities in Iowa. Its stated focus areas are affordable housing, business ownership, childcare, education, employment, and health access and outcomes. ICUF also describes work in community research, scholarships, financial coach training, disaster relief, and matched savings accounts for low- and moderate-income working savers.
Grantees have included organizations with varied missions. Kick It Forward says it develops youth soccer players’ athletic and life skills. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence says it works through education, advocacy, and services to change systems that perpetuate violence against women. Tapestry Farms describes itself as an urban farm system investing in refugees through social services, farming, and welcoming infrastructure. Food Bank of Iowa says it distributes food to member agencies serving people in need.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ICUF reported 11 grants totaling $161,200. The grants ranged from $5,500 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable awards included $50,000 to Kick It Forward, $20,000 to Indian Hills Community College Foundation, $15,000 to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and $12,000 to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation. Other listed recipients included House of Hope, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Tapestry Farms, NIAD Center for Human Development, Food Bank of Iowa, Time for Tots, and His Hands Free Clinic.
Review Cycle
The Financial Inclusion Grant nomination deadline of April 3, 2026, has passed.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Disaster Relief Grants
Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Amount
Up to $500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Emergency Relief Fund (COVID-19 Response)
Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Amount
$500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Financial Inclusion Grant Program
Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Iowa Credit Union Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ICUF’s Financial Inclusion and Disaster Relief grant programs are statewide in Iowa. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,489,616 | $802,560 | $731,230 | $161,200 | 11 |
| 2024 | $2,356,286 | $618,826 | $568,535 | $30,000 | 3 |
| 2023 | $2,249,491 | $494,711 | $471,852 | $36,000 | 3 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,489,616 | $2,356,286 | $2,249,491 |
| Revenue | $802,560 | $618,826 | $494,711 |
| Expenses | $731,230 | $568,535 | $471,852 |
| Net Investment Income | $142,935 | $96,489 | $51,696 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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. ICUF’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).
Contact
Mailing address: 7745 Office Plaza Dr North 170, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515) 221-3002
Website: https://iowacreditunionfoundation.org
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 stated 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, an Iowa credit union must nominate the organization before it can be 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Iowa Credit Union Foundation by hand.
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