Iowa Foundation for Agricultural
The Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to supporting youth in agricultural education and livestock projects. Founded in 1988, IFAA operates as a membership-based organization comprised of agricultural enthusiasts who work to encourage 4-H and FFA members to pursue careers in agriculture.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$631K
+6.9% YoY
Revenue
$422K
+14.1% YoY
Net Investment Income
$28K
+141.0% YoY
Expenses
$385K
+8.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
IFAA's mission is to provide funds to support the sale of grand and reserve champion livestock projects at a premium and to provide scholarships and awards to reach more youth in agricultural education.
The organization focuses on:
- Livestock Project Support: Funding the Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions, where 4-H and FFA exhibitors sell their champion livestock in beef, swine, poultry, and other agricultural species
- Scholarships: Merit-based financial awards through the Winner's Circle Scholarship Program for students pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture-related fields
- Performance and Carcass Awards: Recognition and financial support for 4-H and FFA exhibitors
- Youth Development: Supporting thousands of Iowa students participating in 4-H and FFA agricultural projects
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
annually.
How to Apply
**: Scholarship applications have a February 1 deadline annually.
Ready to take the next step with Iowa Foundation for Agricultural?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
IFAA operates exclusively in Iowa, supporting Iowa 4-H and FFA students and youth participating in agricultural projects throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Grants Awarded: $216,000 (as of December 2016)
Annual Distribution: Over $240,000 per year in scholarships
Growth: Support has increased from $50,000 in 1988 to nearly $725,000 in recent years
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $630,594 | $589,776 | — |
| Revenue | $422,307 | $370,136 | — |
| Expenses | $384,846 | $354,221 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $28,302 | $11,745 | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 0 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2024.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board members include:
- Jack Bair (President)
- Paul Flint (Vice President)
- Steve Weldon (Treasurer)
- Isaiah Spath (Secretary)
- Rob Bohnsack (Director)
- Dick Danielson (Director)
- Harold Hodson (Director)
- Linda Weldon (Director)
- Cat Wood (Director)
- Gary Vanaernam (Director)
- Mark Kahler (Director)
- Tim Messenger (Director)
- Taylor Schminke (Director)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACK BAIR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ROB BOHNSACK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MATT HEILLER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GARY VANAERNAM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GARY MELDREM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MIKE DORAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARK KAHLER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KATIE STUTSMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOUG PULLIN | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| ROBIN SAMPSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| LEXI BEELER | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| JOSH WILLIAMS | TREASURER | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Phone: 515-987-2116 or 515-681-0183
- Website: www.ifaa.org
- Address: 10550 New York Ave Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50322-3744
- Email: admin@ifaa.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Iowa Foundation for Agricultural fund?
IFAA's mission is to provide funds to support the sale of grand and reserve champion livestock projects at a premium and to provide scholarships and awards to reach more youth in agricultural education. The organization focuses on: • **Livestock Project Support**: Funding the Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions, where 4-H and FFA exhibitors sell their champion livestock in beef, swine, poultry, and other agricultural species • **Scholarships**: Merit-based financial awards through the Winner's Ci…
How do I apply for a grant from Iowa Foundation for Agricultural?
**Grant Amounts**: Scholarships range from $250 to $10,000. Performance, carcass, and 4-H exhibitor awards range from $250 to $8,000. **Annual Giving**: IFAA distributes over $240,000 per year in scholarships and awards. Total support has grown from $50,000 in the first year (1988) to nearly $725,000 today. **Eligibility**: Awards are given to recipients pursuing a course of study related to the animal industry at any two-year or four-year post-secondary educational institution in Iowa. **Appli…
Where does Iowa Foundation for Agricultural make grants?
IFAA operates exclusively in Iowa, supporting Iowa 4-H and FFA students and youth participating in agricultural projects throughout the state.
What is Iowa Foundation for Agricultural's EIN?
Iowa Foundation for Agricultural's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1183067. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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