The Bright Foundation
The Bright Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Des Moines, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $32.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $2.2M. Net investment income was $2.7M.
The Bright Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bright Foundation gave $2.2M across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $734K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,202,488
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- -25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $734,163
- +19.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $803,406
- Total assets
- $32,724,762
- +0.7% vs 2024
- 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.
Who The Bright Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University Of Iowa Center for Advancement ($803K). Together the top 2 received $1.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($904,396), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 30 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Bright Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
- In 2022 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2021) to $2.4M (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $904,396 |
| University Of Iowa Center for Advancement Iowa City, IA | Scholarships | $803,406 |
| University Of Northern Iowa Foundation Cedar Falls, IA | Scholarships | $494,686 |
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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 | $32,724,762 | $2,967,529 | $2,753,449 | $2,202,488 | 3 | $2,661,901 | $2,676,074 | — |
| 2024 | $32,510,214 | $2,210,641 | $2,983,136 | $2,449,495 | 4 | $2,894,353 | $1,921,385 | — |
| 2023 | $33,279,525 | $1,626,635 | $2,681,879 | $2,236,563 | 6 | $2,603,277 | $1,399,334 | — |
| 2022 | $34,336,186 | $806,138 | $2,381,114 | $2,073,923 | 6 | $2,296,684 | $725,089 | $2,403,874 |
| 2021 | $35,909,475 | $1,096,080 | $2,072,110 | $1,760,164 | 11 | — | $1,020,510 | $2,173,539 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bright Foundation is led by Meredith Dohmen, President on every filing since 2022; 8 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Meredith Dohmen
President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$126K (2022) → $156K (2025)
Thomas E Press
Chairman & Managing Director
Chairman of the Board & Managing Director → Chairman & Managing Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$36K (2021) → $39K (2025)
Jeffrey G Fleming
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $3K (2025)
Jerry Deegan
Vice Chair & Director
Vice Chairman of the Board & Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
Vice President & Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $3K (2025)
Stacy Wanderscheid
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $3K (2025)
Carrie A Kompelien
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
$2K (2024) → $3K (2025)
Craig A Shadur
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
$2K (2024) → $3K (2025)
Kelly L Nieman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1.5 hrs/week
$2K (2025)
Dale J Andringa
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Charles A Haas (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Isaiah McGee (2022–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $156K, to Meredith Dohmen (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Bright Foundation
How much does The Bright Foundation give each year?
The Bright Foundation gave $2.2M across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.4M across 4 grants.
What is The Bright Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bright Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $803,406, and its average grant was $734,163, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bright Foundation give grants?
The Bright Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Bright Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Bright Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (3 grants).
How large is The Bright Foundation?
The Bright Foundation reported $32.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $3.0M.
What is The Bright Foundation?
The Bright Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Des Moines, IA. It holds $32.7M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Bright Foundation's EIN?
The Bright Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-6073848. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 5, 2021)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bright Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Bright 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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