Stratford Foundation
Stratford Foundation is a private foundation based in Mason City, Iowa. Its 2025 filing reports grants to organizations in Iowa, including programs and services related to youth, education, community meals, public safety, and cultural activities.
Stratford Foundation at a glance
In short: Stratford Foundation gave $40K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Iowa. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $39,500
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,950
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,750
- Total assets
- $293,154
- +2.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Stratford Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its 2024 filing directs applicants to contact Roberta E. Cornelius using the information referenced on that filing. The filing states a preference for North Iowa and activities related to youth.
- Review Cycle
- Generally July 1 through August 31, as stated on the 2024 filing. This is a past application cycle, not an open deadline.
- Deadline
- Generally July 1 through August 31, as stated on the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Roberta E Cornelius
Mailing address: PO Box 1708, Mason City, IA 50401
Phone: (641) 422-1600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Stratford Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YSS North Iowa ($10K). Together the top 10 received $40K.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 47 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa. The foundation’s 2024 filing states a preference for North Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Stratford Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2021) to $40K (2023). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YSS North Iowa Mason City, IA | Assist with Completion Ofgymnasium | $10,000 |
| North Iowa Ag in the Classroom Garner, IA | Assist Withgrowth/Developmentin Program | $5,000 |
| Cerro Gordo Co Sheriff's Office Mason City, IA | Purchase Auto.externaldefibrillators | $5,000 |
| Stebens Children's Theater Mason City, IA | Scholarshipsfor Students | $4,000 |
| Community Kitchen - North Iowa Mason City, IA | Provide Mealsfor Familiesand Children | $4,000 |
| North Iowa CASA Mason City, IA | Volunteer Reimbursementfor Expenses | $3,500 |
| 43 North Iowa Mason City, IA | Project Searchprogram | $3,000 |
| Mason City Public Library Mason City, IA | Facilitationof Year Roundreading Program | $2,500 |
| Christmas Cheer Fund Mason City, IA | Christmascheerfund | $1,500 |
| Bolan Schoolhouse & Cultural Ctr Kensett, IA | Vacation Bibleschool | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $293,154 | $51,282 | $45,329 | $39,500 | 10 | $39,500 | $45,453 | $38,097 |
| 2024 | $287,248 | $51,283 | $43,911 | $39,500 | 9 | $39,500 | $49,811 | $38,355 |
| 2023 | $279,901 | $29,599 | $46,449 | $40,452 | 10 | $46,449 | $30,351 | $39,267 |
| 2022 | $296,618 | $81,229 | $39,330 | $34,200 | 8 | $39,330 | $81,229 | $38,849 |
| 2021 | $255,018 | $47,907 | $32,028 | $27,520 | 10 | $32,028 | $47,907 | $34,032 |
| 2020 | $239,450 | $41,806 | $39,108 | $34,511 | 6 | — | $41,806 | $27,342 |
| 2019 | $236,757 | $49,686 | $39,203 | $35,269 | 9 | — | $49,686 | $34,619 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stratford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $38K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $39,500 through 10 grants. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median grant of $3,750. Its largest grants were $10,000 to YSS North Iowa to assist with completion of a gymnasium; $5,000 each to North Iowa Ag in the Classroom for program growth and development and to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office to purchase automated external defibrillators; and $4,000 each to Stebens Children’s Theater for student scholarships and Community Kitchen - North Iowa to provide meals for families and children.
Other 2025 grants included $3,500 to North Iowa CASA for volunteer expense reimbursement; $3,000 to 43 North Iowa for its Project SEARCH program; $2,500 to Mason City Public Library for a year-round reading program; $1,500 to Christmas Cheer Fund; and $1,000 to Bolan Schoolhouse & Cultural Center for vacation Bible school.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Roberta E. Cornelius, Joyce M. Pavek, and Roberta M. Anderson as trustees.
Stratford Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joyce M. Pavek
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2025)
Roberta E. Cornelius
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $500 (2025)
Roberta M. Anderson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $500, to Roberta E Cornelius (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Stratford Foundation
How much does Stratford Foundation give each year?
Stratford Foundation gave $40K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $40K across 9 grants.
What is Stratford Foundation's typical grant size?
Stratford Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,750, and its average grant was $3,950, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Stratford Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Stratford Foundation give grants?
Stratford Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Mason City, IA (8 grants).
Does Stratford Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Stratford Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Stratford Foundation's largest grantees?
Stratford Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include YSS North Iowa ($10,000), North Iowa Ag in the Classroom ($5,000) and Cerro Gordo Co Sheriff's Office ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Stratford Foundation?
Stratford Foundation reported $293K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $38K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
How do I apply for a grant from Stratford Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Stratford Foundation's EIN?
Stratford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1445433. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Figures come from Stratford Foundation'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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