The Vredenburg Foundation is a private foundation established in 1999 and based in Chariton, Iowa. The foundation was organized to make grants and contributions to organizations recognized as exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It continues the philanthropic objectives of its initial contributors, Dwight and Ruth Vredenburg.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$280K
-24.3% YoY
Grant Count
1
-95.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$280K
+1641.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving focuses primarily on:
- Education
- Arts and culture, particularly musical organizations
- Health care
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
The foundation also supports fire department equipment, residential furnishings, public library revitalization, performing arts series, medical clinic furniture and equipment, and historic preservation initiatives.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $2,500 to $100,000.
Review Cycle
are two weeks before board meetings held in May and November
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation gives primarily in Lucas and Decatur counties in Iowa, with funding activity in cities including Centerville, Chariton, and Des Moines.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,005,838
- Total Giving: $280,100
- Total Revenue: $427,573
- Total Expenses: $309,712
- Net Income: $117,861
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $151,692
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $267,532
- Miscellaneous revenues: $8,349
Staffing: The foundation has no paid employees and operates with limited staffing based on board members and key personnel.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include See Attached ($280,100).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED CHARITON, IA | GENERAL OPERATING | $280,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- John Vredenburg (President/Director)
- Martha Vredenburg (Treasurer/Director)
- Emily Broderick (Secretary/Director)
- Christopher Wibe (Director)
- Zane Vredenburg (Director)
- Grace Broderick (Director)
All board members serve without compensation and work zero hours per week in their foundation roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN VREDENBURG | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MARTHA VREDENBURG | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| EMILY BRODERICK | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHRISTOPHER WIBE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ZANE VREDENBURG | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GRACE BRODERICK | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 678, Chariton, IA 50049
Phone: (641) 774-2179
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Vredenburg Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving focuses primarily on: • Education • Arts and culture, particularly musical organizations • Health care • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking The foundation also supports fire department equipment, residential furnishings, public library revitalization, performing arts series, medical clinic furniture and equipment, and historic preservation initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from The Vredenburg Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $2,500 to $100,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 22 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2024), with total giving of $280,100. **Sample Grants:** • Chariton Community School District: $21,000 • City of Chariton: $50,000 • Des Moines Metro Opera: $6,000 • Iowa Public Radio: $10,000 **Application Process:** • Applicants must submit a letter and documentation of 501(c)(3) or government status • Deadlines are two weeks before board meet…
Where does The Vredenburg Foundation make grants?
The foundation gives primarily in Lucas and Decatur counties in Iowa, with funding activity in cities including Centerville, Chariton, and Des Moines.
What size grants does The Vredenburg Foundation award?
In 2024, The Vredenburg Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $280K — an average of about $280K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Vredenburg Foundation's EIN?
The Vredenburg Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1481578. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Vredenburg 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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