James W and Ella B Forster Trust
James W and Ella B Forster Trust is a private foundation, based in Rock Rapids, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $358K. Net investment income was $195K.
James W and Ella B Forster Trust at a glance
In short: James W and Ella B Forster Trust gave $358K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $51K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $358,030
- +12.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $51,147
- -19.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $1,759,758
- -9.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who James W and Ella B Forster Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital ($184K).
Organizations only. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($174,345), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 25 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How James W and Ella B Forster Trust gives
- Giving grew 33% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $269K (2022) to $358K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $358K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Rock Rapids, IA | Facility Expansion | $183,685 |
| 6 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $174,345 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,759,758 | $210,816 | $386,060 | $358,030 | 7 | $367,314 | $194,923 | $290,212 |
| 2024 | $1,935,002 | $221,560 | $345,842 | $317,530 | 5 | $326,528 | $205,235 | $279,115 |
| 2023 | $2,059,284 | $230,980 | $380,901 | $356,030 | 6 | $364,632 | $215,028 | $273,427 |
| 2022 | $2,209,205 | $236,008 | $295,149 | $269,030 | 4 | $277,732 | $218,611 | $285,233 |
| 2021 | $2,268,346 | $226,306 | $311,796 | $281,818 | 3 | — | $207,673 | $277,041 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James W and Ella B Forster Trust reported a distributable amount of $290K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
James W and Ella B Forster Trust's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bruce Jennings
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Schneidermann
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kandi Koll
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about James W and Ella B Forster Trust
How much does James W and Ella B Forster Trust give each year?
James W and Ella B Forster Trust gave $358K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $318K across 5 grants.
What is James W and Ella B Forster Trust's typical grant size?
James W and Ella B Forster Trust's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $51,147, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James W and Ella B Forster Trust give grants?
James W and Ella B Forster Trust gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does James W and Ella B Forster Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on James W and Ella B Forster Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is James W and Ella B Forster Trust?
James W and Ella B Forster Trust reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $367K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $290K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is James W and Ella B Forster Trust's EIN?
James W and Ella B Forster Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1305882. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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