Lavern T Busse & Audrey Busse Foundation
The Lavern T Busse & Audrey Busse Foundation is a private family foundation based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Established in 1990, the foundation focuses on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including education, community improvement, human services, and environmental initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.0M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+43.5% YoY
Grant Count
20
-71.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$142K
+402.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary areas of interest include:
- Community improvement
- Education
- Environment
- Food banks
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation has awarded grants to organizations including:
Grant Range
s & Range:**
Average Grant
amount varies by year
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with a particular emphasis on the Cedar Rapids area and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (as of December 2023):
- Total assets: $15,041,226
- Total annual giving: $2,837,487
- Number of grants awarded: 68 (2023 data)
- Giving rate: 13.4% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,041,226 | $14,694,164 | $14,225,934 |
| Revenue | $1,033,335 | $1,902,612 | $1,554,358 |
| Expenses | $3,071,505 | $2,055,306 | $1,545,939 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,938,090 | $1,979,247 | $1,431,300 |
| Net Investment Income | $612,585 | $834,667 | $712,463 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,415,928 | $2,565,231 | $1,978,305 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Lavern T. Busse (President/Trustee)
- Audrey Busse (Treasurer/Trustee)
- Monica Busse (Vice President/Trustee)
- Jeffrey Busse (Secretary/Trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAVERN T BUSSE | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| AUDREY BUSSE | TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY BUSSE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY/TRUSTEE | 12 | $77,500 |
| MONICA BUSSE | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ANNA BUSSE | ASST SECRETARY/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| GRACE BUSSE | ASST TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MICHELE BUSSE | TRUSTEE | 5 | $11,375 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025:** Mount Mercy University announced a $2.1 million lead gift from the Lavern T. and Audrey Busse Foundation for the development of the Busse Football Center.
Library Foundation receives grant for adjustable changing table at New Busse**2014:** Mount Mercy University received a lead gift from the foundation for the development of a new softball complex. Busse Field was established within the outdoor athletic complex at 909 17th Street NE in Cedar Rapids, and an endowed scholarship for softball was created as a result of this contribution.
Library Foundation receives grant for adjustable changing table at New Busse**Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation has continued to support local institutions, including a grant to the Library Foundation for an adjustable changing table at the New Busse Branch.
Library Foundation receives grant for adjustable changing table at New BusseContact Information
Address: 2129 North Towne Lane N.E., Suite B Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 United States
Phone: (319) 395-9636
Fax: (319) 395-0557
EIN: 75-2342746
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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