The Chesterman Family Foundation
The Chesterman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Sioux City, Iowa, established in 2001 and tax-exempt since May 2001. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic grantmaking to charitable organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.6M
+29.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$438K
-38.7% YoY
Grant Count
31
+19.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-48.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Chesterman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $367K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to use income earned on its assets as contributions to further serve educational, charitable, cultural, and religious purposes, specifically supporting qualifying public charities under section 501(c)(3).
Primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Arts and culture
- Child welfare
- Community improvement
- Food banks and food security
- Medical services
- Shelter and housing
- Youth programs
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
Grant Range
$1,000–$538,147
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, with a particular focus on the Sioux City area and surrounding counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,611,346
- Total Revenue: $2,209,443
- Total Expenses: $487,312
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,611,346 | $5,889,214 | $5,897,274 |
| Revenue | $2,209,443 | $745,452 | $600,947 |
| Expenses | $487,312 | $753,511 | $327,791 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $438,085 | $714,389 | $258,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $934,552 | $696,330 | $106,451 |
| Distributable Amount | $367,177 | $310,572 | $293,255 |
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
146 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sioux City Parks and Recreation Foundation ($147,705), Warming Shelter ($25,000), Boys and Girls Home of Sioux City Iowa ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| SALVATION ARMY SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| WARMING SHELTER SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $25,000 |
| TEAMMATES LINCOLN, NE | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS HOME OF SIOUX CITY IOWA SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $25,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SIOUXLAND SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| NOAH'S HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $2,500 |
| ART CENTER ASSOCIATION OF SIOUX CITY SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $12,000 |
| FOOD BANK OF SIOUXLAND SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF SIOUX CITY SIOUX CITY, IA | TO FURTHER PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cy W. Chesterman Sr. – Director (Time As Needed)
- Nancy C. Smith – Director (Time As Needed)
- Susan C. Bergeson – Director (Time As Needed)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cy W Chesterman Sr | Director - Time as needed | — | — |
| Nancy C Smith | Director - Time as needed | — | — |
| Susan C Bergeson | Director - Time as needed | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 4700 S. Lewis Boulevard P.O. Box 3657 Sioux City, IA 51102
Phone: (402) 252-2653
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Chesterman Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to use income earned on its assets as contributions to further serve educational, charitable, cultural, and religious purposes, specifically supporting qualifying public charities under section 501(c)(3). Primary funding interests include: • Education • Arts and culture • Child welfare • Community improvement • Food banks and food security • Medical services • Shelter and housing • Youth programs • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from The Chesterman Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 29 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $438,085 • Typical grant range: $1,000–$538,147 **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Sioux City Parks and Recreation: $147,705 • Camp High Hopes: $25,000 **Sample Historical Grants:** • Morningside College: $10,000 • Salvation Army: $5,000 • Warming Shelter: $5,000 • Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands: $2,500 • Boys and Girls Clubs Home of Sioux City: $5,000 • Siouxland Humane Society: $1,000 • Noah's Hope Animal Rescue: $2,5…
Where does The Chesterman Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, with a particular focus on the Sioux City area and surrounding counties.
What size grants does The Chesterman Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Chesterman Family Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $438K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Chesterman Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Chesterman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $367K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Chesterman Family Foundation's EIN?
The Chesterman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2086157. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Chesterman 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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