Sirk Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Dubuque, IA EIN: 36-6080222

Sirk Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Dubuque, Iowa. It reported 24 grants totaling $31,395 in 2024, primarily to organizations in Iowa.

Key facts about Sirk Family Foundation

In short: Sirk Family Foundation gave $31K across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Iowa. 4% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
36-6080222
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$31,395
Grants made (2024)
24
Average grant
$1,308
Median grant
$275
New grantees (estimate)
4% first-time grantees (1 of 24, 2024; small sample)
Total assets
$365,390
Primary geography
Iowa (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation’s filing says to contact Randall Sirk by letter. Full details ↓
Deadline
None listed.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 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 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$365K

-5.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$31K

-1.7% YoY

Grant Count

24

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$1K

-1.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sirk Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $34K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Sirk Family Foundation open to new grantees?

4%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 1 of 24 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $250; repeat grants $1K. How we count

Medians: $250 first-time, $300 repeat.

  • 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No foundation mission is stated in the available information. The 2024 grantees describe a range of activities: the Dubuque Community Y says it creates opportunities for growth, leadership, and empowerment; the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra says it provides live performances and educational programs; and the Dubuque Museum of Art says it presents collections, exhibitions, and programming.

Other 2024 recipients include the Dubuque Regional Humane Society, which says it works to protect and promote animal well-being; Hillcrest Family Services, which describes its work as providing care for children, adults, and families in need; Opening Doors, which says it provides emergency and transitional housing for women; and the Dubuque Food Pantry, which says it dispenses food to people in need in the Dubuque area.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $31,395. Grants ranged from $50 to $20,000, with a median of $275. The largest listed grants were $20,000 to the Dubuque Community Y, $2,500 to the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, $2,000 to the Dubuque Museum of Art, and $1,000 to the Dubuque Regional Humane Society. Each was listed as a “general gift.”

Review Cycle

None listed.

How to Apply

The foundation’s filing says to contact Randall Sirk by letter. It lists no restrictions on awards and no deadline. The filing also says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Sirk Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation is based in Dubuque, Iowa. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa, 2% to recipients in Wisconsin, 1% to recipients in Illinois, and less than 1% to recipients in Montana.

Grant Distribution by State

9states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.

Cities

DubuqueCedar RapidsJohntonPeoriaRacineBozemanDeerfieldMadisonGrimesWashingtonAtlanticHiawathaWatertownBellevueChicagoFrederickIowa CityLaguna HillsSt. PaulUrbandale

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K$40K26 grants2019 33 grants2020 38 grants2021 32 grants2022 24 grants2023 24 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2019) to $38K (2020). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $31K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Dubuque Community Y: $20KDubuque Community Y$20KDubuque Symphony Orchestra: $3KDubuque Symphony Orchestra$3KDubuque Museum of Art: $2KDubuque Museum of Art$2KDubuque Regional Humane Society: $1KDubuque Regional HumaneSociety$1KCarnegie Stout Public Library: $500Carnegie Stout Public Library$500Grand Opera House: $500Grand Opera House$500Hillcrest Family Services: $500Hillcrest Family Services$500Opening Doors: $500Opening Doors$500University of Dubuque: $500University of Dubuque$500Youth Development Through Golf: $500Youth Development Through Golf$500

The largest 2024 recipient was Dubuque Community Y ($20K). Together the top 10 received $29K.

Grant Size Distribution

151 grants across all recorded years

151<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 151 grants of 151 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Dubuque Community Y Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$20,000
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$2,500
Dubuque Museum of Art Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$2,000
Dubuque Regional Humane Society Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$1,000
Carnegie Stout Public Library Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$500
Grand Opera House Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$500
Hillcrest Family Services Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$500
Opening Doors Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$500
University of Dubuque Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$500
Youth Development Through Golf Dubuque, IAGeneral Gift$500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Grants Total
2024 24 $31,395
2023 24 $31,930
2022 32 $30,112
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$365,390$384,723$402,674
Revenue$21,512$22,310$18,819
Expenses$40,845$40,261$37,833
Qualifying Distributions$31,395$31,930$30,112
Net Investment Income$8,835$9,227$7,950
Distributable Amount$33,762$29,769$29,930

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 5, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 10, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 22, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 12, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 19, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Randall Sirk is listed as president and secretary on the 2024 filing.

Sirk Family Foundation is led by Randall Sirk, President & Secretary on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Randall Sirk

    President & Secretary

    On filings since 2019

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Application contact: Randall Sirk
Mailing address: 9709 Military Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003
Phone: (563) 556-0760

Frequently asked questions about Sirk Family Foundation

How much does Sirk Family Foundation give each year?

Sirk Family Foundation gave $31K across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $32K across 24 grants.

What is Sirk Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Sirk Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $275, and its average grant was $1,308, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sirk Family Foundation that year got $250 on average.

Where does Sirk Family Foundation give grants?

Sirk Family Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Dubuque, IA (16 grants) and Cedar Rapids, IA (2 grants).

Does Sirk Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Sirk Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Sirk Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Sirk Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Dubuque Community Y ($20,000), Dubuque Symphony Orchestra ($2,500) and Dubuque Museum of Art ($2,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Sirk Family Foundation?

Sirk Family Foundation reported $365K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $34K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Sirk Family Foundation fund?

No foundation mission is stated in the available information. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Sirk Family Foundation?

The foundation’s filing says to contact Randall Sirk by letter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Sirk Family Foundation's EIN?

Sirk Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6080222. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Sirk Family Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Sirk Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Dubuque Racing Association Ltd

Dubuque, IA

Dubuque Racing Association funds projects supporting population growth, retention, tourism, community betterment, and organizational capacity in the tri-state area, with most recent grant dollars going to Iowa. Its 2025 grants had a median of $19,000; Core requests are up to $50,000, while Mission requests are $50,000 or more. It describes an application process, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$132.0M

Grants

38

Total Given

$4.5M

The Butler Family Foundation

Dubuque, IA

The Butler Family Foundation supports arts and culture, education, community services, and legal advocacy, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Iowa and Illinois. Its 69 grants ranged from $100 to $1,062,365, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$37.9M

Grants

69

Total Given

$2.4M

Heartland Charitable Trust

Dubuque, IA

Heartland Charitable Trust makes donor-advised grants to 501(c)(3) organizations across varied fields, including arts, education, health, historic preservation, and youth and family services; past recipients were in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Texas. In 2021 it awarded 28 grants totaling $748,849, with examples ranging from $7,450 to $87,700; it reported no grants in 2022 or 2023. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.7M

Grants

29

Total Given

$791K

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

It funds community needs across health, education, youth development, arts, social services, nonprofit capacity-building, and collaborative initiatives in a seven-county Eastern Iowa region, including through affiliate foundations. In 2024, its grants had a median of $13,500, with awards ranging from $5,020 to $1,292,499. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$165.4M

Grants

211

Total Given

$8.0M

Ay McDonald Charitable Foundation

Dubuque, IA

The foundation supports education, human services, youth and family programs, animal welfare, and public affairs, primarily in Iowa, with some grants in nearby states. In 2024, grants ranged from $250 to $300,000, with a median of $2,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.

Assets

$8.6M

Grants

60

Total Given

$879K

Falb Family Charitable Foundation

Dubuque, IA

The foundation funds arts, food assistance, education, youth development, human services, and community support, primarily in Iowa, with a small share going to Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $36,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.3M

Grants

27

Total Given

$82K

Alliant Energy Foundation Inc

Madison, WI

Assets

$28.5M

Grants

929

Total Given

$2.4M

James B & Melita a McDonough

Dubuque, IA

The foundation supports charitable, educational, and health-related work, including human services, basic needs, and opportunities for children and families in seven Iowa counties: Dubuque, Delaware, Clayton, Jones, Jackson, Fayette, and Buchanan. Grants typically are small—the 2025 median was $2,500, and more than 63% of 2024 grants were $5,000 or less, though awards ranged from $1,000 to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits may apply through its online application from April 1 to May 31.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$9.3M

Grants

90

Total Given

$436K

Spahn & Rose Lumber Co Charitable Fdtn

Dubuque, IA

The foundation supports higher education, education, youth—especially at-risk youth—health, housing, recreation, and healthy communities, primarily in Iowa and also in Georgia, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Its 2026 grants ranged from $150 to $10,000, with a median of $1,000. It says it gives to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes a request form for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Assets

$1.8M

Grants

84

Total Given

$148K

Schoen Family Charitable Trust

Loudon, TN

The Schoen Family Charitable Trust supports Midwest nonprofits working in education, health, wellness, and family services, with most recent funding going to organizations in Iowa and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $3,000. It accepts applications January 1 through May 31 but funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.8M

Grants

58

Total Given

$281K

Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/a Greater Des Moines Community Fdn

Des Moines, IA

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines supports projects that improve quality of life in Greater Des Moines, including housing and transportation access, health, economic opportunity, inclusive communities, and nonprofit capacity-building. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $12,900, though awards ranged from roughly $5,000 to $7.34 million.

Assets

$918.7M

Grants

1,259

Total Given

$55.7M

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

More Funders in Iowa

Sirk Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?