The Seidler Foundation
The Seidler Foundation is a private foundation founded by the Seidler family in 1984 and based in Des Moines, Iowa. It supports educational opportunity, arts and culture, and programs addressing food insecurity.
The Seidler Foundation at a glance
In short: The Seidler Foundation gave $4.1M across 175 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), top state Iowa. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,094,275
- +42.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 175
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,396
- +13.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $87,963,262
- +19.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (34 of 108, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (46% 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 Seidler Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation lists Stanley B Seidler as the contact for a written request. Its filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations and lists no award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Stanley B Seidler
Mailing address: PO Box 1297, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 244-0300
Website: https://seidlerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Seidler Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Iowa Center for Advancement ($305K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 55 individual scholarships ($462,418), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
659 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 615 grants of 659 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Iowa. In 2024, 46% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa, 27% to Wyoming, 14% to Missouri, 5% to Kansas, and 2% to Arizona.
Its scholarship programs serve students in specified Iowa school districts. Starting with the 2027 application cycle, the foundation’s website says the scholarships will be open to students at Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District; Prairie High School in the College Community School District; and Mount Vernon in the Mount Vernon Community School District.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 175 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Seidler Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 34 of 108 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 516% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $665K (2021) to $4.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 175 grants totaling $4.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Food Bank of Iowa Des Moines, IA | General Support | $300,000 |
| University of Iowa Center for Advancement Iowa City, IA | General Support | $300,000 |
| Zack Johnson Foundation Cedar Rapids, IA | General Support | $300,000 |
| Grand Teton Music Festival Wilson, WY | General Support | $250,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Des Moines Waukee, IA | General Support | $250,000 |
| Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MO | General Support | $214,000 |
| Food Bank of Wyoming Evansville, WY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Harvesters Community Food Network Kansas City, MO | General Support | $150,000 |
| The Food Group Sheridan, WY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Community Foundation of Jackson Hole Jackson, WY | General Support | $102,750 |
Ready to take the next step with The Seidler Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87,963,262 | $20,041,437 | $4,412,590 | $4,094,275 | 175 | $4,197,264 | $3,275,207 | $4,245,642 |
| 2023 | $73,779,461 | $33,148,364 | $3,090,889 | $2,882,726 | 140 | $2,890,060 | $1,374,859 | $2,480,672 |
| 2022 | $43,721,986 | $9,437,452 | $2,143,668 | $1,992,800 | 122 | $1,997,392 | $1,343,083 | $1,956,586 |
| 2021 | $36,428,202 | $22,896,797 | $724,791 | $664,950 | 115 | $666,668 | $1,285,426 | $1,059,927 |
| 2020 | $15,396,810 | $2,850,540 | $933,562 | $889,183 | 107 | — | $1,467,191 | $781,189 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Seidler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M 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
The foundation’s stated aim is to “create opportunity for a meaningful life” through support for education, arts and culture, and food insecurity programs. Its scholarship program was inspired by Evelyn Seidler, an English teacher at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in the 1970s.
The foundation’s website describes two need-based scholarships for students in participating school districts. The 11th Grade Scholarship supports postsecondary study at a two- or four-year campus of the student’s choice. The 12th Grade Scholarship supports enrollment at Kirkwood Community College. The foundation also supports selected arts and culture organizations and projects, as well as organizations that provide nourishment to children and equitable access to food support.
Examples of grantees’ work include the Food Bank of Iowa, which says it distributes salvageable food to member agencies serving people in need; the Grand Teton Music Festival, which describes its work as presenting musical experiences for resident and seasonal communities; and the Kansas City Art Institute, whose stated mission is to educate artists and designers. The Food Group says it seeks to alleviate childhood hunger in Sheridan County, Wyoming.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 175 grants totaling $4,094,275. Grants ranged from $500 to $300,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed grants included $300,000 each to Food Bank of Iowa, University of Iowa Center for Advancement, and Zach Johnson Foundation; $250,000 each to Grand Teton Music Festival and Jewish Federation of Des Moines; and $214,000 to Kansas City Art Institute. The listed grants were designated for general support.
The foundation reported 140 grants totaling $2,882,726 in 2023 and 122 grants totaling $1,992,800 in 2022.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stanley B Seidler as president and Carol Seidler Mavrakis and Susan Seidler Nerman as directors.
The Seidler Foundation is led by Stanley B. Seidler, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stanley B. Seidler
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carol Seidler Mavrakis
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Seidler Nerman
Director
On filings since 2020
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 Seidler Foundation
How much does The Seidler Foundation give each year?
The Seidler Foundation gave $4.1M across 175 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 140 grants.
What is The Seidler Foundation's typical grant size?
The Seidler Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $23,396, across 175 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Seidler Foundation that year got $26K on average.
Where does The Seidler Foundation give grants?
The Seidler Foundation's top state is Iowa, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wyoming (27%) and Missouri (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sheridan, WY (18 grants), Kansas City, MO (16 grants), Des Moines, IA (13 grants) and Jackson, WY (6 grants).
Does The Seidler Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 66% of The Seidler Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (116 of 175) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (55 grants).
Who are The Seidler Foundation's largest grantees?
The Seidler Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Iowa Center for Advancement ($305,000 across 2 grants), Food Bank of Iowa ($300,000) and Zack Johnson Foundation ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 55 individual scholarships ($462,418), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Seidler Foundation?
The Seidler Foundation reported $88.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Seidler Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to “create opportunity for a meaningful life” through support for education, arts and culture, and food insecurity programs. Its scholarship program was inspired by Evelyn Seidler, an English teacher at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in the 1970s. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Seidler Foundation?
The foundation lists Stanley B Seidler as the contact for a written request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Seidler Foundation's EIN?
The Seidler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1209825. 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Seidler Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-seidler-foundation-morg_2730eaae89b64f14abd2d4a0197d3891
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421209825_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Seidler Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-seidler-foundation-morg_2730eaae89b64f14abd2d4a0197d3891},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Seidler 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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