Missouri River Historical Development
Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD) is a nonprofit organization based in Sioux City, Iowa, designated as a 501(c)(4) civic league and social welfare organization. Founded in 1989, MRHD serves as the Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) responsible for holding Woodbury County's gaming license and distributing gaming revenues to benefit the community. The organization emerged from the Riverboat Tourism Task Force during Iowa's exploration of riverboat gaming as an economic development tool.
Key facts about Missouri River Historical Development
- EIN
- 42-1349952
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,026,650
- Grants made (2025)
- 92
- Average grant
- $43,768
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $6,254,047
- Primary geography
- Iowa (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated June 2026.
Who Missouri River Historical Development funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Missouri River Historical Development's 92 itemized 2025 grants were Iowa (97%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sioux City, IA (57 grants), North Sioux City, SD (3 grants), South Sioux City, NE (3 grants) and Cushing, IA (3 grants). 2% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Holiday Discretionary Grant" (13 grants), "Flood Recovery" (6 grants) and "Scholarship Grant" (3 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.3M
-5.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
+27.1% YoY
Grant Count
92
+50.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
-15.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To strengthen the community through impactful grants that improve quality of life for all.
MRHD's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
- Civic and community development projects
The organization prioritizes supporting projects that enhance the quality of life for residents of Woodbury County and the broader Siouxland region.
Grantmaking
MRHD distributes substantial annual grants funded by gaming revenues from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. Recent grant distributions include:
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MRHD primarily funds projects and organizations in Woodbury County, Iowa. The organization has expanded its reach to include Dakota County, Nebraska, reflecting its commitment to serving the broader Siouxland region. Funding also extends to Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4,214,342 |
| Total Expenses | $4,158,265 |
| Net Income | $56,077 |
| Total Assets | $6,254,047 |
| Total Liabilities | $2,360,000 |
| Net Assets | $3,898,199 |
Revenue Sources:
- Program Services: $3,951,505 (93.8% of total revenue)
- Investment Income: $262,837 (6.2% of total revenue)
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since January 1991. Donations to MRHD are not tax-deductible due to its 501(c)(4) classification.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,254,047 | $6,591,831 | $6,237,285 |
| Revenue | $4,214,342 | $4,281,281 | $4,207,474 |
| Expenses | $4,158,265 | $3,429,652 | $3,723,363 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $262,837 | $267,534 | $92,592 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
343 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City ($1,000,000), Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center ($560,000), Woodbury County Emergency Management ($175,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF SIOUX CITY SIOUX CITY, IA | 7,200 SQ. FT. EXPANSION FOR ANGELINE'S WING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | $1,000,000 |
| SIOUX CITY LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER SIOUX CITY, IA | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT / HOLIDAY | $560,000 |
| WOODBURY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SIOUX CITY, IA | RESPONDER RADIO / VEHICLE ACQUISITION | $175,000 |
| SIOUXLAND HISTORICAL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION SIOUX CITY, IA | FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECT - CARPENTER-CAR SHOP BUILDING | $115,000 |
| JUNE E NYLEN CANCER CENTER SIOUX CITY, IA | CHEMOTHERAPY INFUSION MIXING AREA AND MEDICALLY INTEGRATED DISPENSARY RENOVATION & EXPANSION PROJECT | $100,000 |
| QUIMBY COMMUNITY FIRE DEPARTMENT QUIMBY, IA | FIRE TRUCK REPLACEMENT | $100,000 |
| BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY SIOUX CITY, IA | SCHOLARSHIP / HOLIDAY | $88,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS NORTHWEST IOWA & NOPRTHEAST NEBRASKA SIOUX CITY, IA | FLOOD RECOVERY | $75,000 |
| BATTLE CREEK COMMUNITY AMBULANCE SERVICE BATTLE CREEK, IA | NEW AMBULANCE PURCHASE | $75,000 |
| MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY SIOUX CITY, IA | SCHOLARSHIP GRANT | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors: MRHD is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of 13 to 26 voting directors who are residents of Woodbury County. Directors are selected to represent a broad cross-section of the community with experience in business, education, tourism, public safety, human services, rural communities, and civic leadership.
- Voting directors serve three-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms
- All voting directors must complete a background investigation and obtain a gaming license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
- Elected public officials and individuals affiliated with gaming operators are not eligible to serve as voting directors
- The Board meets monthly, with an annual meeting held each November
Executive Leadership: Mark Monson has been identified as President of MRHD. Steve Huisenga has also been referenced in leadership capacity.
Staff: The organization operates with 2 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDA KREI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARAH KLEBER | PRESIDENT | 8 | $1,200 |
| RENAE BILLINGS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGELO JAMES | DIRECTOR | 1 | $600 |
| DALE TIGGES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID BERNSTEIN | VICE PRESIDENT | 8 | — |
| RAGEN COTE | SECRETARY | 8 | $1,200 |
| CHRIS GROVES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CRAIG TOOLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUZIE FISCHER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSIE LUBBERS | AT LARGE | 8 | $600 |
| GINA SITZMANN | TREASURER | 8 | $600 |
| ED VOLOSHEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRUCE LEAR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GARY NILES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JESUS SANCHEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATIE TOWLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEVIN CLAUSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JILL WANDERSCHEID | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARISSA MOLLAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGIE SCHRUNK | FORMER TREASURER | 1 | $600 |
| DAVID GLEISER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $50,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
MRHD continues to expand its grantmaking reach and impact. In February 2026, the organization announced $425,000 in scholarship grants to support Siouxland students, marking an expansion of its scholarship program to include institutions in Nebraska following the closure of St. Luke's College of Nursing.
Missouri River Historical Development to award $500,000 in grants to 31 SiouxlandThe organization's partnership with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City, which opened in August 2014, has enabled sustained and growing grant distributions. Under the current partnership with Hard Rock and Churchill Downs, Inc., MRHD continues to fund projects that strengthen community infrastructure and support educational opportunities across Woodbury County and the Siouxland region.
Missouri River Historical Development to award $500,000 in grants to 31 SiouxlandFrequently Asked Questions
What does Missouri River Historical Development fund?
**Mission:** To strengthen the community through impactful grants that improve quality of life for all. MRHD's primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism • Civic and community development projects The organization prioritizes supporting projects that enhance the quality of life for residents of Woodbury County and the broader Siouxland region.
How do I apply for a grant from Missouri River Historical Development?
MRHD distributes substantial annual grants funded by gaming revenues from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. Recent grant distributions include: • **2025–2026:** $425,000 in scholarship grants to six regional higher education institutions • **2024:** $500,000 awarded to 31 Siouxland organizations • **Recent year:** $1.02 million in special project grants to 20 Woodbury County nonprofit organizations and governmental entities • **Record budget:** $1.2 million in grants to Woodbury County **S…
Where does Missouri River Historical Development make grants?
MRHD primarily funds projects and organizations in Woodbury County, Iowa. The organization has expanded its reach to include Dakota County, Nebraska, reflecting its commitment to serving the broader Siouxland region. Funding also extends to Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
What size grants does Missouri River Historical Development award?
In 2025, Missouri River Historical Development awarded 92 grants totaling $4.0M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Missouri River Historical Development's EIN?
Missouri River Historical Development's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1349952. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Missouri River Historical Development's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.