The John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation is a private foundation based in Forest City, Iowa. It supports organizations and projects, primarily in north central Iowa and south central Minnesota, with most grants supporting organizations in Forest City.
Key facts about John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation
In short: John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation gave $3.1M across 126 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 42-1343843
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,095,900
- Grants made (2025)
- 126
- Average grant
- $24,571
- Median grant
- $9,000
- Total assets
- $43,484,088
- Primary geography
- Iowa (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation’s filing directs applicants to submit its application cover sheet, a project budget, and a condensed current financial statement. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The filing lists “received by” deadlines of March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$43.5M
-2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
-23.5% YoY
Grant Count
126
+12500.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
-99.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s grant-program description emphasizes strengthening families and supporting projects that improve community quality of life. Its filing also says it prefers projects that leverage matching funds or use foundation support to catalyze additional fundraising.
Its 2025 grants included support for education, arts and culture, community development, childcare, recreation, and infrastructure. For example, the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation says its mission is to support Waldorf University and provide scholarships and educational programs and experiences to its students. The Forest City Education Foundation says it provides grants and scholarships to Forest City High School graduates pursuing higher education. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum describes its work as building community through Norwegian-American stories and folk art.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 126 grants totaling $3,095,900. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,025,000, with a median grant of $9,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,025,000 to Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation for general operating support; $200,000 to Forest City Education Foundation for its annual funding and senior awards night; and $200,000 to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum for Vesterheim Commons. Other notable grants included $130,000 to Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation for fine arts improvements, $100,000 to the United States Sailing Center of Martin County for general operating support, and $50,000 each to Clear Lake Community School Foundation, Clear Lake Development Foundation, Hancock County Economic Development Corporation, and Temple Grandin School.
Review Cycle
The filing lists “received by” deadlines of March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.
How to Apply
The foundation’s filing directs applicants to submit its application cover sheet, a project budget, and a condensed current financial statement. Grants are limited to organizations tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3) that are not private foundations under Section 509(a), or to government entities. Requests outside north central Iowa and south central Minnesota may be considered if they align with the foundation’s mission to strengthen communities.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation
Ready to take the next step with John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing says it primarily serves north central Iowa and south central Minnesota, with most grants supporting organizations in Forest City. In 2025, 84% of grant dollars went to Iowa recipients and 6% to Minnesota recipients; other reported shares went to Florida (3%), Colorado (2%), and Wisconsin (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 126 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2020) to $4.0M (2024). In 2025 it made 126 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc ($1.2M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
130 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 116 grants of 130 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc Forest City, IA | General Operating Support | $1,025,000 |
| Forest City Education Foundation Forest City, IA | Annual Funding - Senior Awards Night 2024 | $200,000 |
| Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Decorah, IA | Vesterheim Commons, the Inspiring Community Space | $200,000 |
| Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc Forest City, IA | Boman Fine Arts Improvements | $130,000 |
| United States Sailing Center of Martin County Inc Jensen Beach, FL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| City of Forest City Forest City, IA | Taxilane Upgrades | $59,000 |
| Clear Lake Community School Foundation Inc Clear Lake, IA | Performing Arts Center | $50,000 |
| Clear Lake Development Foundation Clear Lake, IA | Rooftop Patio Naming Rights | $50,000 |
| Hancock County Economic Development Corporation Garner, IA | Childcare Alliance - Wage Support Initiative | $50,000 |
| Temple Grandin School Boulder, CO | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,484,088 | $3,682,824 | $3,730,861 | $3,095,900 (126 grants) |
| 2024 | $44,552,525 | $982,680 | $4,599,682 | $4,045,070 (1 grant) |
| 2023 | $46,013,492 | $766,146 | $3,981,369 | $3,469,800 (1 grant) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $43,484,088 | $44,552,525 | $46,013,492 |
| Revenue | $3,682,824 | $982,680 | $766,146 |
| Expenses | $3,730,861 | $4,599,682 | $3,981,369 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,156,663 | $4,115,555 | $3,469,800 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,166,644 | $2,881,902 | $1,199,621 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,108,244 | $3,042,673 | $3,055,608 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John V Hanson as director and president. Other directors listed are Gregory Boman, Mary Jo Boman, Janet Coe, Paul D Hanson, and John J Hanson. Craig Braget and Linda Kay are listed as secretary and treasurer.
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation is led by John J. Hanson, Director, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John J. Hanson
Director, President & Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Jo Boman
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul D. Hanson
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Boman
Director
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Coe
Director
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Kay
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$42K (2020) → $8K (2025)
Craig Braget
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $26K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $26K, to Craig Braget (Secretary, Treasurer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Craig Braget Foundation Secretary T
Mailing address: PO Box 450, Forest City, IA 50436-0450
Phone: (641) 582-2825
Email: cbraget@mbtbank.bank
Frequently asked questions about John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation
How much does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation give each year?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation gave $3.1M across 126 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.0M across 1 grant.
What is John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's typical grant size?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $9,000, and its average grant was $24,571, across 126 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation give grants?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Forest City, IA (22 grants), Mason City, IA (16 grants), Lake Mills, IA (12 grants) and Clear Lake, IA (10 grants).
Does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 126) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's largest grantees?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc ($1,155,000 across 2 grants), Forest City Education Foundation ($200,000) and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation reported $43.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation fund?
The foundation’s grant-program description emphasizes strengthening families and supporting projects that improve community quality of life. Its filing also says it prefers projects that leverage matching funds or use foundation support to catalyze additional fundraising. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation?
The foundation’s filing directs applicants to submit its application cover sheet, a project budget, and a condensed current financial statement. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's EIN?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1343843. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation by hand.
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