The Geisler-Penquite Foundation
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation is a private foundation based in Newton, Iowa. Its 2024 IRS filing is marked as a final return, indicating that the foundation has terminated or is winding down; it therefore appears to have stopped or be ending its grantmaking.
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation at a glance
In short: The Geisler-Penquite Foundation gave $16.7M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $983K), mostly in Iowa. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,713,097
- +1989.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $983,123
- +1989.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $381,119
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Geisler-Penquite Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The final filing listed Dan Skokan as the contact for a letter stating the requested amount and charitable purpose; it also stated that there were no award restrictions. These instructions are not current application guidance because the filing is marked final.
- Review Cycle
- The final filing stated that there was no deadline; this is not a current application cycle.
- Deadline
- The final filing stated that there was no deadline; this is not a current application cycle.
- Contact
Application contact: Dan Skokan
Mailing address: PO Box 924, Newton, IA 50208
Phone: (641) 791-2874
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Geisler-Penquite Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Central College ($9.1M). Together the top 10 received $14.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 85 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Iowa. Named recipients were located in Newton and elsewhere in Iowa, including Pella, Colfax, and Baxter.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Geisler-Penquite Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 17 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $2M; repeat grants $921K. How we count
Medians: $2M first-time, $381K repeat.
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 2686% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $600K (2020) to $16.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $16.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central College Pella, IA | Endowment Fund | $9,077,741 |
| Jasper Community Foundation-Newton Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $1,983,109 |
| Jasper County Historical Society Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $382,861 |
| Newton YMCA Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $382,861 |
| Progress Industries Foundation Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $382,861 |
| Colfax-Mingo Scholarships Colfax, IA | Endowment Fund | $382,861 |
| Mercy One Newton Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $382,861 |
| ISU Extension and Outreach Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $381,990 |
| Newton Dollars for Scholars Newton, IA | Endowment Fund | $381,119 |
| Baxter Community Educational Baxter, IA | Endowment Fund | $380,988 |
Ready to take the next step with The Geisler-Penquite Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
— Assets for 2024 were not provided.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $2,367,318 | $16,782,850 | $16,713,097 | 17 | $16,539,833 | $1,921,381 | $669,112 |
| 2023 | $14,407,811 | $425,195 | $971,144 | $800,000 | 17 | $800,000 | $254,051 | $593,216 |
| 2022 | $14,823,285 | $8,358,188 | $901,338 | $800,000 | 17 | $800,000 | $8,246,850 | $626,480 |
| 2021 | $7,617,438 | $1,066,636 | $684,388 | $600,000 | 17 | $600,000 | $982,248 | $814,891 |
| 2020 | $7,125,908 | $358,081 | $698,084 | $600,000 | 17 | — | $259,997 | $565,037 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Geisler-Penquite Foundation reported a distributable amount of $669K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included endowment support for a range of organizations. Among the recipients, Central College describes itself as a residential liberal arts college focused on students’ academic, spiritual, emotional, and physical development. The Centre for Arts and Artists describes its mission as providing classes for educational and cultural learning. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity describes its mission as bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope, with the goal of ensuring everyone has a decent place to live.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling $16,713,097. Grant amounts ranged from $356,515 to $9,077,741, with a median of $381,119. The largest award was $9,077,741 to Central College in Pella, Iowa, for an endowment fund. Other large awards included $1,983,109 to Jasper Community Foundation-Newton and $382,861 each to Jasper County Historical Society, Newton YMCA, Progress Industries Foundation, Colfax-Mingo Scholarships, and Mercy One Newton, all for endowment funds.
The 2024 filing states that requests should be made in a letter specifying the amount requested and charitable purpose. It lists no restrictions on awards and no deadline. Because that filing is marked final, these instructions should not be treated as current.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dan Skokan as president/treasurer; Sheri Roslien as secretary; Noreen Otto, Eugene Knoph, John Roslien, and Maurine Timmer as directors; and Eric Sickler as vice chair.
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation is led by Dan Skokan, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dan Skokan
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eugene Knoph
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Roslien
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maurine Timmer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noreen Otto
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Sickler
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Roslien
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Geisler-Penquite Foundation
How much does The Geisler-Penquite Foundation give each year?
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation gave $16.7M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $800K across 17 grants.
What is The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's typical grant size?
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $381,119, and its average grant was $983,123, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Geisler-Penquite Foundation that year got $2M on average.
Where does The Geisler-Penquite Foundation give grants?
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Newton, IA (13 grants) and Colfax, IA (2 grants).
Does The Geisler-Penquite Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Endowment Fund" (17 grants).
Who are The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's largest grantees?
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Central College ($9,077,741), Jasper Community Foundation-Newton ($1,983,109) and Jasper County Historical Society ($382,861), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The Geisler-Penquite Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included endowment support for a range of organizations. Among the recipients, Central College describes itself as a residential liberal arts college focused on students’ academic, spiritual, emotional, and physical development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Geisler-Penquite Foundation?
The final filing listed Dan Skokan as the contact for a letter stating the requested amount and charitable purpose; it also stated that there were no award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Geisler-Penquite Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Geisler-Penquite Foundation reported a distributable amount of $669K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's EIN?
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7103845. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Geisler-Penquite Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-geisler-penquite-foundation-morg_e02c2ed04d6b48de8aff30373086aac7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237103845_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Geisler-Penquite Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-geisler-penquite-foundation-morg_e02c2ed04d6b48de8aff30373086aac7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Geisler-Penquite 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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