James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Fort Dodge, IA EIN: 42-1412905

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation is a private foundation, based in Fort Dodge, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $786K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $33K. Net investment income was $60K.

Key facts about James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation

In short: James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation gave $33K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
42-1412905
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$33,000
Grants made (2024)
7
Average grant
$4,714
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$785,875
Primary geography
Iowa (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$786K

+5.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$33K

-42.6% YoY

Grant Count

7

-30.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

-18.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $46K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 71% 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.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.

Cities

Fort DodgeAmesIowa CityWest Des MoinesCedar FallsLaramieRock IslandDallasFort WorthGoldenOmaha

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K12 grants2019 13 grants2020 12 grants2021 7 grants2022 10 grants2023 7 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $33K (2024) to $59K (2022). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $33K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

University of Iowa: $7KUniversity of Iowa$7KTexas Christian University: $6KTexas Christian University$6KIowa Central Community College: $6KIowa Central Community College$6KFriends of St Edmond Ball: $5KFriends of St Edmond Ball$5KUniversity of Wyoming: $4KUniversity of Wyoming$4KSt Edmonds School: $3KSt Edmonds School$3KIowa State University: $2KIowa State University$2K

The largest 2024 recipient was University of Iowa ($7K). Together the top 7 received $33K.

Grant Size Distribution

49 grants across all recorded years

49<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 49 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Iowa Iowa City, IAScholarships$7,000
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXScholarships$6,000
Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IAScholarships$6,000
Friends of St Edmond Ball Fort Dodge, IATo Support Catholic Education$5,000
University of Wyoming Laramie, WYScholarships$4,000
St Edmonds School Fort Dodge, IAGeneral Support$3,000
Iowa State University Ames, IAScholarship$2,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$785,875$743,642$755,539
Revenue$67,297$36,306$-8,482
Expenses$40,166$63,804$66,991
Qualifying Distributions$33,000$57,500$58,500
Net Investment Income$60,131$30,002$19,137
Distributable Amount$46,469$42,615$47,519

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 26, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 9, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 28, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation is led by James R. Bocken, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • James R. Bocken

    President

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Brian Bocken

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas G. Schnurr

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Greg Bocken

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Kathy Bocken

    Secretarty

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation

How much does James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation give each year?

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation gave $33K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $58K across 10 grants.

What is James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,714, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation give grants?

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Texas (18%) and Wyoming (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Dodge, IA (3 grants).

Does James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 14% of James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (4 grants).

Who are James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Iowa ($7,000), Texas Christian University ($6,000) and Iowa Central Community College ($6,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation?

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation reported $786K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $33K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $46K (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 Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's EIN?

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1412905. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Nishnabotna Valley Foundation

Harlan, IA

Assets

$61K

Grants

7

Total Given

$9K

Folds of Honor Foundation

Owasso, OK

Folds of Honor funds education scholarships for spouses and children of U.S. military service members and first responders killed or disabled in service, with awards available for K–12 and higher education in the United States and its territories. Awards are up to $5,000 per academic year, based on unmet need, and are paid directly to the school. It accepts scholarship applications through an online portal during its annual application window; it does not make grants to outside applicants.

Education

Assets

$122.3M

Grants

1,551

Total Given

$37.6M

The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation funds education, health care, and human services, including college scholarships, with most support benefiting working- and middle-class families in specified Minnesota and Florida counties; it also makes some national grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $50 to $10 million. It plans to move to invitation-only grantmaking in 2027; whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$218.3M

Grants

1,431

Total Given

$47.9M

Tulsa Community Foundation

Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community Foundation supports a broad range of charitable needs, including arts and humanities, healthcare, education, scholarships, emergency assistance, and endowments. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,560 and primarily benefited the Tulsa area and eastern Oklahoma, with grants also reaching elsewhere in the U.S.; it administers application cycles for selected funds.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

1,066

Total Given

$158.6M

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Saint Louis, MO

Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.

Assets

$594.3M

Grants

1

Total Given

$101.4M

Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/a Greater Des Moines Community Fdn

Des Moines, IA

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines funds nonprofits through competitive grants for community impact, organizational capacity, and collaboration, with 2026 priorities including housing, transportation, health, economic opportunity, and inclusion. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants had a median of $12,889, while Capacity Building grants are capped at $7,500. Its programs serve Greater Des Moines and, through an affiliated foundation, Adair County; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the profile.

Assets

$918.7M

Grants

1,259

Total Given

$55.7M

Pella Rolscreen Foundation

Pella, IA

The Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports charitable organizations working in education and community betterment, including civic, cultural, social, and physical-environment programs in communities where Pella Corporation employees live. Large grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 and typically cover no more than 25% of project costs; its 2024 grants had a median of $1,029. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities in communities where Pella has manufacturing plants.

Assets

$22.4M

Grants

433

Total Given

$1.9M

Bestenlehner D and F Educational Tr

Saint Louis, MO

The foundation funds scholarships for full-time students with financial need, primarily through educational institutions; applicants must meet its stated Dallas Center-Grimes or prior-recipient eligibility rules. Its 2025 grants ranged from $734 to $4,000, with a median of $1,468, and 83% of grant dollars went to Iowa recipients. It provides an online application, with a March 29 deadline.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.1M

Grants

63

Total Given

$120K

Ernst & Young Foundation

New York, NY

The Ernst & Young Foundation primarily supports higher education and preparation for business careers, with additional grants for educational projects, social justice, and disaster relief. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,056 to $316,005, with a median of $13,525, and went to organizations across the United States.

Assets

$47.6M

Grants

637

Total Given

$16.7M

The Leonard Rydell Foundation

Grand Forks, ND

The Leonard Rydell Foundation funds educational scholarships, giving grants to colleges and universities in multiple states, with 2025 recipients concentrated in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, and Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6,000, though the filing states a maximum award of $2,000. The filing names an application form and contact but does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$1.7M

Grants

23

Total Given

$54K

Culver's Foundation Inc

Prairie Du Sac, WI

The foundation funds community needs, youth and families, local initiatives, and scholarships for Culver’s team members, with a strong local focus in Wisconsin and grants also reaching other states. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications through an online process and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$8.1M

Grants

83

Total Given

$1.3M

Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Inc

Ottumwa, IA

The foundation funds community projects in Ottumwa and Wapello County, including work in health, education, housing, economic prosperity, and quality of life. Its annual grantmaking averages about $3 million; Bright Ideas grants are typically $2,500–$30,000, while awards overall vary widely. Bright Ideas accepts applications from eligible nonprofits; strategic grants are by invitation only.

Assets

$73.8M

Grants

216

Total Given

$3.1M

More Funders in Iowa

James W and Frances M Ackerman Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?