John Deere Foundation
The John Deere Foundation is a private foundation based in Moline, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, and it offers in-kind support through several John Deere FIRST robotics grants for teams participating in STEM education programs.
John Deere Foundation at a glance
In short: John Deere Foundation gave $34.7M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $6.9M), mostly in Delaware. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $34,732,282
- +32.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,946,456
- +5.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $453,358
- Total assets
- $220,477,766
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Delaware (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to John Deere Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The listed FIRST grants are open to teams, which must apply and receive approval before paying for registration.
- Contact
Mailing address: One John Deere Place, Moline, IL 61265
Phone: (309) 765-5256
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from John Deere Foundation
JDF: FIRST LEGO League Discover Grant
John Deere Foundation
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
JDF: FIRST Robotics Competition Grant
John Deere Foundation
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
JDF: FIRST Tech Challenge Grant
John Deere Foundation
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who John Deere Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Online Giving Foundation ($33.7M). Together the top 5 received $34.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 19 (26%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 97% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Delaware; the remaining 3% is listed with an unspecified recipient state. This identifies recipient locations, not necessarily where funded work took place.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How John Deere Foundation gives
- Giving grew 66% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 339% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $17.2M (2020) to $34.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $34.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Newwark, DE | Grants to Various 501(C)(3) Public Charities | $33,674,553 |
| Haus Des Stiftens Fur Unternehmen & Non-Profits GGMBH | Grants to Various 501(C)(3) Public Charities | $524,748 |
| The UK Online Giving Foundation | Grants to Various 501(C)(3) Public Charities | $453,358 |
| Canada Online Giving Foundation | Grants to Various 501(C)(3) Public Charities | $71,963 |
| Fonds De Participation Solidaire | Grants to Various 501(C)(3) Public Charities | $7,660 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $220,477,766 | $18,752,003 | $55,765,467 | $34,732,282 | 5 | $35,909,273 | $12,550,824 | $10,592,715 |
| 2023 | $212,646,379 | $17,667,361 | $42,477,381 | $26,302,731 | 4 | $26,978,866 | $13,727,124 | $11,003,905 |
| 2022 | $228,526,282 | $30,280,552 | $20,408,642 | $21,201,639 | 4 | $21,771,018 | $38,306,327 | $11,252,427 |
| 2021 | $272,986,643 | $43,330,156 | $23,214,190 | $20,911,509 | 5 | — | $28,742,851 | $11,822,974 |
| 2020 | $238,195,698 | $75,055,571 | $13,628,986 | $17,217,090 | 1 | — | $14,770,627 | $8,819,466 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John Deere Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available program descriptions focus on STEM education, equity, diversity, and inclusion through FIRST robotics grants. The programs support teams in the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League Discover. The descriptions identify schools and nonprofits as potential participants in some programs and emphasize reaching underserved or underrepresented students.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported five grants totaling $34,732,282. The median grant was $453,358; individual grants ranged from $7,660 to $33,674,553. The largest reported grants went to American Online Giving Foundation ($33,674,553), Haus des Stiftens Fur Unternehmen & Non-Profits gGmbH ($524,748), The UK Online Giving Foundation ($453,358), Canada Online Giving Foundation ($71,963), and Fonds de Participation Solidaire ($7,660). Each grant’s stated purpose was “grants to various 501(c)(3) public charities.”
The foundation also lists active, open FIRST grants offering an unspecified amount of in-kind support. Teams must receive approval before paying for registration; the program descriptions warn that paying first can forfeit eligibility for a grant. The FIRST Robotics Competition description gives priority to teams with confirmed John Deere mentors and those meeting diverse-participation requirements. The FIRST Tech Challenge description says grants cover registration and equipment costs and identifies schools and nonprofits as eligible organizations. The FIRST LEGO League Discover description says teams must be associated with an educational institution or nonprofit and demonstrate a commitment to recruiting underserved and underrepresented students. For FIRST grants, the descriptions also specify equity, diversity, and inclusion training requirements for relevant coaches, mentors, and students.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John C. May as chairman; Hilary Stubben as assistant secretary; and Rhonda Copeland as assistant treasurer. Directors listed are Kellye Walker, Rajesh Kalathur, Ryan D. Campbell, Cory J. Reed, Joshua A. Jepsen, Felecia J. Pryor, and Justin Rose.
John Deere Foundation is led by Mara S. Downing, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 14 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mara S. Downing
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. May
Chairman
Chairman & Director → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cory J. Reed
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan D. Campbell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward R. Berk
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felecia J. Pryor
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua A. Jepsen
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Rose
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rajesh Kalathur
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kellye Walker
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhonda Copeland
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Hamborg
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hilary Stubben
Assistant Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Eberlin
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: C. Nathan Clark (2020–2023) — President & Director
- Former: Mary K. W. Jones (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey A. Trahan (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Lisa A. Rymars (2022) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: John H. Stone (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lisa A. Holst (2020–2021) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Marc A. Howze (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Todd E. Davies (2020–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 John Deere Foundation
How much does John Deere Foundation give each year?
John Deere Foundation gave $34.7M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $26.3M across 4 grants.
What is John Deere Foundation's typical grant size?
John Deere Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $453,358, and its average grant was $6,946,456, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John Deere Foundation give grants?
John Deere Foundation gives mostly in Delaware: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does John Deere Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on John Deere Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants to Various 501(C)(3) Public Charities" (5 grants).
Who are John Deere Foundation's largest grantees?
John Deere Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Online Giving Foundation ($33,674,553), Haus Des Stiftens Fur Unternehmen & Non-Profits GGMBH ($524,748) and The UK Online Giving Foundation ($453,358), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is John Deere Foundation?
John Deere Foundation reported $220.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does John Deere Foundation fund?
The available program descriptions focus on STEM education, equity, diversity, and inclusion through FIRST robotics grants. The programs support teams in the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League Discover. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John Deere Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John Deere Foundation's EIN?
John Deere Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6051024. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does John Deere Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 31, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John Deere Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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