Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Rock Rapids, Iowa. It is the nonprofit gaming license holder for Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort; the foundation says it receives a portion of the resort’s gaming revenue to support charitable and civic needs in Lyon County and beyond.
Key facts about Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc
In short: Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc gave $4.0M across 39 grants in 2025 (avg $101K), mostly in Iowa. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 27-1024697
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,955,063
- Grants made (2025)
- 39
- Average grant
- $101,412
- Median grant
- $87,189
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 31, 2025)
- Total assets
- $2,155,178
- Primary geography
- Iowa (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submit an application through the foundation’s Grant Management System and follow the requirements for the applicable program. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2026 Mini Grant deadline was March 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). 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 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
-23.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
+24.2% YoY
Grant Count
39
+5.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$101K
+17.8% YoY
Is Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 31 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $67K; repeat grants $137K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to distribute funds received from Grand Falls Casino & Resort to qualified nonprofit organizations, including counties, municipalities, and school districts, in accordance with Iowa law. It says it distributes 50% of annual net receipts to incorporated municipal cities, county government, and school districts in Lyon County, and 50% of net annual receipts through grants and scholarships to qualified nonprofits.
Its stated focus areas are Community Development & Beautification, Education & Arts, Economic Development, and Human & Social Needs. Examples of supported organizations include Friends of Doon Foundation, whose stated mission is to raise funds for improvements within the City of Doon; Mid-Sioux Opportunity Inc., which serves low-income and elderly individuals in several Iowa counties, including Lyon; and Rock Rapids Kids Club Inc., which provides nurturing and educational childcare services.
Grantmaking
The foundation offers a noncompetitive Mini Grant program and a competitive grant program. For 2026, Mini Grants are capped at $3,000, while Competitive Grants are capped at $350,000. Its website says the foundation awarded $1.4 million in 2026 grant funds to 18 organizations at a ceremony on November 13, 2025.
Review Cycle
** The 2026 Mini Grant deadline was March 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The 2026 Competitive Grant deadline is September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Ready to take the next step with Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its grantmaking as serving Lyon County and beyond. Its website identifies Northwest Iowa, Southeast South Dakota, and Southwest Minnesota among the regions reached by its 2026 awards. In filing-year 2025 grant data, recipients were listed as 96% in Iowa, 4% in Minnesota, and 1% in South Dakota; percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 39 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
197 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CITY OF LARCHWOOD Larchwood, IA | COMMUNITY CENTER | $350,000 |
| CENTRAL LYON CSD Rock Rapids, IA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $283,595 |
| GEORGE LITTLE ROCK CSD George, IA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $283,595 |
| WEST LYON CSD Inwood, IA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $283,595 |
| DOON EMS Doon, IA | AMBULANCE & STRETCHER | $175,000 |
| CITY OF ALVORD Alvord, IA | COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTER | $150,000 |
| CITY OF INWOOD Inwood, IA | COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION | $150,000 |
| FRIENDS OF DOON FOUNDATION Doon, IA | COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT | $150,000 |
| HILLS BEAVER CREEK SCHOOL Hills, MN | TRACK PROJECT | $150,000 |
| WEST LYON CSD Inwood, IA | INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND | $150,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,155,178 | $3,369,079 | $4,268,748 | $3,955,063 |
| 2024 | $2,824,558 | $3,596,972 | $3,491,635 | $3,184,119 |
| 2023 | $2,788,927 | $3,692,299 | $3,589,578 | $3,289,633 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,155,178 | $2,824,558 | $2,788,927 |
| Revenue | $3,369,079 | $3,596,972 | $3,692,299 |
| Expenses | $4,268,748 | $3,491,635 | $3,589,578 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $75,845 | $120,894 | $29,919 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following officers and directors: Tom Versteeg, Austin Kannegieter, Rick Bos, Dennis Haselhoff, Laurel Reinke, Amy Stoner, Samantha Rozeboom, Brienna Bruggeman, and Sara Sprock as board members; Shaylyn Doorneweerd as secretary; and Sara Sprock as treasurer.
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc is led by Randy Waagmeester, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Randy Waagmeester
President
Board Member → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Kelderman
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Haselhoff
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shaylyn Doorneweerd
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brienna Bruggeman
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Sprock
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Versteeg
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurel Reinke
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Bos
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Rozeboom
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Stoner
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Andersen
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Austin Kannegieter
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Fred Landis (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Schilling (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Ashley Teunissen (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Carol Vander Kolk (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Cynthia Haugland (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Kruse (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Alicia Vermeer (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Ashley Tuenissen (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marlys Conaway (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Shawn Dreesen (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Kathi Wilke (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rochelle Herbert (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Holly Horstman (2020) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Jerry Keizer (2020) — President
- Former: Steve Hermann (2020) — Ex-Officio
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.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 222, Rock Rapids, IA 51246
Phone: (712) 472-0111
Website: https://lyoncountyriverboatfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc
How much does Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc give each year?
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc gave $4.0M across 39 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.2M across 37 grants.
What is Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $87,189, and its average grant was $101,412, across 39 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc that year got $67K on average.
Where does Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc give grants?
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc gives mostly in Iowa: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rock Rapids, IA (9 grants), Inwood, IA (5 grants), George, IA (4 grants) and Alvord, IA (4 grants).
Does Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 38% of Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 39) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include City of Larchwood ($441,680 across 2 grants), West Lyon CSD ($433,595 across 2 grants) and Central Lyon CSD ($318,595 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc?
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.4M.
What does Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to distribute funds received from Grand Falls Casino & Resort to qualified nonprofit organizations, including counties, municipalities, and school districts, in accordance with Iowa law. It says it distributes 50% of annual net receipts to incorporated municipal cities, county government, and school districts in Lyon County, and 50% of net annual receipts through grants and scholarships to qualified nonprofits. Its stated focus areas are Community Development …
How do I apply for a grant from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc?
Submit an application through the foundation’s Grant Management System and follow the requirements for the applicable program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1024697. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines
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
Vogel Foundation
Orange City, IA
In 2025, the Vogel Foundation funded educational, religious, community, and general-support activities, giving grants of $500 to $127,500, with a median of $6,250. Most funding went to Iowa, with smaller amounts going to South Dakota, Michigan, and Illinois. It funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.0M
Grants
26
Total Given
$301K
Land O'Lakes Foundation
St Paul, MN
Land O’Lakes Foundation supports hunger relief, education, and community vitality, including projects connected to its farmer-members and cooperatives. Its 2025 grants had a median of $1,250, with awards ranging from $29 to $365,102, and reached communities across many states, especially Iowa, South Carolina, Minnesota, Nebraska, and California. The filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations and directs applicants to its grant and donation guidelines; it does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
1,035
Total Given
$3.4M
Communitygiving
St Cloud, MN
CommunityGiving supports nonprofits, schools, government entities, students, and community initiatives through partner foundations, donor-directed funds, competitive grants, and scholarships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,100 to $680,477, with a median of $15,528; most funding went to Minnesota, though its network also includes Derby, Kansas. Competitive grant applications are accepted through online systems for specific opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$282.6M
Grants
426
Total Given
$16.7M
Dorothy E McCormack Charitable Trust
Sioux Center, IA
The trust funds charitable, educational, governmental, and religious organizations, with recent grants supporting disability services, food assistance, health care, education, community facilities, recreation, and historical documentation. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,050; most funding went to Iowa, with smaller shares to New York and North Dakota. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$170K
The Kenneth K Kinsey Family Foundation
Iowa City, IA
The Kenneth K Kinsey Family Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including health research, education, arts, youth programs, and athletics; most of its giving goes to organizations in Iowa. In 2025, grants ranged from $300 to $30,000, with a median of $1,500. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
—
Grants
126
Total Given
$290K
The Cigna Group Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The Cigna Group Foundation funds nonprofits advancing health and vitality, with priorities including youth and veteran mental health, health equity, and disaster relief. Current program awards range from $100,000–$150,000 for veteran mental health to up to $250,000 for health equity; its work includes selected U.S. cities such as Hartford, St. Louis, and Houston, as well as local, national, and international efforts. The information provided does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$127.2M
Grants
4,075
Total Given
$14.1M
Interstates Foundation
Sioux Center, IA
Interstates Foundation supports education and scholarships, human services, and community organizations, primarily in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Its 2023 grants ranged from $500 to $30,000, with a median of $1,250. The profile describes an application process for eligible employee dependents seeking scholarships, but does not state whether the foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
—
Grants
52
Total Given
$237K
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
Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino
Altoona, IA
Prairie Meadows funds arts and culture, education, economic development, human services, and youth sports and recreation through grants for projects in central Iowa and across Iowa. Its 2024 grant median was $15,000; program awards range from $100 to $1 million, depending on the grant program.
Assets
$327.6M
Grants
409
Total Given
$33.0M
Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
West Des Moines, IA
The Iowa Health Care Association Foundation funds scholarships and career-education resources for employees of member long-term-care organizations and Iowa high school students pursuing long-term-care careers. Its typical giving level varies: it awarded 287 grants totaling about $4.1 million in 2024, and the listed high school scholarship is $2,000. Its programs focus on Iowa; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$329K
Grants
287
Total Given
$4.1M
New Charitable Foundation
Fort Dodge, IA
NEW Charitable Foundation supports Iowa organizations, including 4-H programs, fire and emergency services, and other community recipients; it also offers scholarships for eligible students pursuing agriculture-related degrees and careers. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $5,960, with a median of $500, and 99% of grant dollars went to Iowa. The 2023 filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$6K
Grants
264
Total Given
$294K
More Funders in Iowa
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?