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 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 6 grants totaling $315K. Net investment income was $181K.
James W and Ella B Forster Trust at a glance
In short: James W and Ella B Forster Trust gave $315K across 6 grants in 2026 (avg $52K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $314,530
- -12.1% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 6
- -14.3% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $52,422
- +2.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $23,000
- Total assets
- $1,618,908
- -8.0% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026.
Who James W and Ella B Forster Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital ($184K).
Organizations only. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($130,845), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 28 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How James W and Ella B Forster Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−12%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $269K (2022) to $358K (2025). In 2026 it made 6 grants totaling $315K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Rock Rapids, IA | Facility Expansion | $183,685 |
| 5 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $130,845 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,618,908 | $203,473 | $344,323 | $314,530 | 6 | $324,441 | $180,723 | $374,436 |
| 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 $374K for 2026 — 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 2026 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 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, 2021–2026. "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 $315K across 6 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $358K across 7 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 2026 was $23,000, and its average grant was $52,422, across 6 grants on its 2026 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 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does James W and Ella B Forster Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on James W and Ella B Forster Trust's 2026 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 $1.6M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $324K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $374K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
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 2021–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 9, 2026)
- 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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