The Ahrens Family Foundation
The Ahrens Family Foundation operates as a private foundation with a complex organizational structure. Multiple entities share the Ahrens name and operate independently with different locations, leadership, and focus areas. The primary entities identified are:
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$201K
+4.2% YoY
Grant Count
43
-6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+11.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ahrens Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $145K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation (Grinnell, Iowa)
Mission: To enhance the quality of life for future generations in the Grinnell community and its neighboring communities through ongoing support services and resources by maintaining and perpetuating an endowment.
Core Values: Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, Respect, and Wellness.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Parks and recreation
- Education
- Health
- Community support services
Specific Programs:
- Community support services providing back office services including accounting, human resources, donor acknowledgement and management, and capacity building for local nonprofits
- JPK program providing mental health consortium funding for financially insecure individuals to obtain therapy (over 180 patients served)
- Tiger Packs program providing weekly food items to food-insecure students (over 230 kids served weekly, plus food to middle and high schools)
Ahrens Family Foundation (Franklin, Tennessee)
Focus areas not specifically detailed in available sources. Recent grants support ongoing programs and services across multiple organizations.
Ahrens Family Foundation Trust (Louisville, Kentucky)
Funds general support through capital gains on the sale of investments.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$277
Average Grant
$277
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation (Grinnell, Iowa)
- Primary focus: Grinnell, Iowa and neighboring communities in the Greater Grinnell area
Ahrens Family Foundation (Franklin, Tennessee)
- Supports projects across multiple U.S. cities and states including: Arlington, Boone, Colorado Springs, Dayton, Denver, Fountain Run, Franklin, Garden City, Nashville, Needham, Rockville, and Spring Hill
- States served: Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia
Ahrens Family Foundation Trust (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Based in Louisville, Kentucky
- Geographic focus not specifically detailed; recent grants suggest national reach
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation (Grinnell, Iowa)
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $7,691,500
- Total revenues: $1,705,150
- Total expenses: $1,978,852
Ahrens Family Foundation (Franklin, Tennessee)
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $262,086
- Total revenues: $228,529
- Total expenses: $238,028
- Total grants, contributions: $198,146
- Investment income and dividends: $12,706
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $17,677
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total grants, contributions: $240,000
- Investment income and dividends: $7,418
Ahrens Family Foundation Trust (Louisville, Kentucky)
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total assets: $2,229,343
- Total revenues: $99,705
- Total expenses: $218,631
- Investment income and dividends: $60,005
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,130,975 | $2,229,343 | $2,348,269 |
| Revenue | $125,608 | $99,705 | $88,739 |
| Expenses | $223,976 | $218,631 | $230,900 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $200,500 | $192,500 | $196,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $104,232 | $75,674 | $63,964 |
| Distributable Amount | $144,649 | $134,482 | $142,023 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
227 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cascade Raptor Center ($10,000), Food for Lane Co ($10,000), Hope & Safety Alliance ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN BATTLEFIELDS TRUST WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN BIRDING ASSN CLORADO SPRINGS, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN SIGN MUSEUM CINCINATTI, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY HARPERS FERRY, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| BECKHAM BIRD CLUB BIRDATHON LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| BERNHEIM FOREST CLERMONT, KY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| CASCADE RAPTOR CENTER LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CINCINNATI FIRE MUSEUM CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER MILFORD, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation (Grinnell, Iowa)
- Founder: Claude W. Ahrens (deceased), who had a long, successful business career in playground and agricultural manufacturing
- Co-founder: Dolly Ahrens
- Staff: 12 employees
Ahrens Family Foundation (Franklin, Tennessee)
- Chairman: Daniel J. Ahrens (serves without compensation)
- President: Victoria F. Ahrens (serves without compensation)
- Staff: 0 employees
Ahrens Family Foundation Trust (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Staff: 0 employees
- Leadership details not provided in sources
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDWIN M AHRENS | TRUSTEE ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD E AHRENS | TRUSTEE ADVISOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Ahrens Park Foundation Recognition:** The Ahrens Park Foundation was announced as Business of the Year at the Chamber's Annual Celebration
The Chamber\u2019s Annual Celebration Announces Ahrens Park Foundation as\**Elementary School Development:** Visible progress reported on a new Grinnell Elementary school project
Visible Progress Ahead for New Grinnell Elementary - Ahrens Family Foundation**Food Access Initiative:** The Grinnell Food Coalition launched a new "Seed Grant" program to support local food access efforts
Grinnell Food Coalition Launches New \u201CSeed Grant\u201D to Support Local\**2024 Grant Awards:** Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation announced 2024 Poweshiek County Alliance Grant Awards with Ahrens Foundation involvement
The Chamber\u2019s Annual Celebration Announces Ahrens Park Foundation as\**SHE Counts Program:** SHE Counts, a program of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, hosted women and friends at Solera with a period product drive (March 2026)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ahrens Family Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To enhance the quality of life for future generations in the Grinnell community and its neighboring communities through ongoing support services and resources by maintaining and perpetuating an endowment. **Core Values:** Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, Respect, and Wellness. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Parks and recreation • Education • Health • Community support services **Specific Programs:** • Community support services providing back office services including …
How do I apply for a grant from The Ahrens Family Foundation?
**Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Total distributions: $1,978,852 • Notable grant: $545,257 to Ahrens Park Foundation for operating funds and capital purchases **Grant Focus:** Primarily supports local Grinnell community organizations and collaborative partners. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Total expenses: $238,028 • Total distributions: $232,000 • Average grant size: $277 • Grant median: $25,000 • Grant maximum: $105,000 • Total grants awarded: 9 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Legacy Mis…
Where does The Ahrens Family Foundation make grants?
• Primary focus: Grinnell, Iowa and neighboring communities in the Greater Grinnell area • Supports projects across multiple U.S. cities and states including: Arlington, Boone, Colorado Springs, Dayton, Denver, Fountain Run, Franklin, Garden City, Nashville, Needham, Rockville, and Spring Hill • States served: Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia • Based in Louisville, Kentucky • Geographic focus not specifically detailed; recent gran…
What size grants does The Ahrens Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ahrens Family Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $201K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ahrens Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ahrens Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $145K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ahrens Family Foundation's EIN?
The Ahrens Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-6265649. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ahrens Family Foundation'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.
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