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.
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,955,063
- +24.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 39
- +5.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $101,412
- +17.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $87,189
- Total assets
- $2,155,178
- -23.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit an application through the foundation’s Grant Management System and follow the requirements for the applicable program.
- 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.
- Deadline
- The 2026 Mini Grant deadline was March 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 222, Rock Rapids, IA 51246
Phone: (712) 472-0111
Website: https://lyoncountyriverboatfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Larchwood ($442K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
197 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 197 (39%).
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 2025 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $4.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 39 grants totaling $4.0M.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,155,178 | $3,369,079 | $4,268,748 | $3,955,063 | 39 | $75,845 |
| 2024 | $2,824,558 | $3,596,972 | $3,491,635 | $3,184,119 | 37 | $120,894 |
| 2023 | $2,788,927 | $3,692,299 | $3,589,578 | $3,289,633 | 36 | $29,919 |
| 2022 | $2,314,021 | $3,510,157 | $3,489,709 | $3,219,556 | 39 | $11,303 |
| 2021 | $2,226,608 | $3,365,358 | $3,433,421 | $3,201,724 | 46 | $8,814 |
| 2020 | $1,398,948 | $2,031,454 | $1,323,720 | $1,184,069 | 15 | $5,606 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
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.
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 39 grants totaling $3,955,063. Awards ranged from $8,500 to $350,000, with a median of $87,189. Larger reported grants included $350,000 to the City of Larchwood for a community center; $283,595 each to Central Lyon CSD, George Little Rock CSD, and an individual recipient for operating expenses; and $175,000 to Doon EMS for an ambulance and stretcher.
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s Grant Management System. Only one application per organization is accepted for each program. Mini Grant applicants do not need matching funds; organizations that received a Mini Grant in 2025 are ineligible for a 2026 Mini Grant. Competitive applicants requesting $100,000 or more must submit a video of no more than five minutes explaining the request and its community impact. At least one representative must attend the applicable award ceremony to receive an award. Applications and supporting materials become public documents after submission. Grantees must submit required documentation, including invoices, receipts, and proof of payment, through the system to receive grant payout.
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.
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. See mission & focus areas ↑
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.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc funds
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Browse active grant opportunities in Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lyon-county-riverboat-foundation-inc-morg_7406c84d7a8b433aaf6e03fca3cd69ed
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_271024697_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lyon-county-riverboat-foundation-inc-morg_7406c84d7a8b433aaf6e03fca3cd69ed},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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