Underwood Family Foundation
The Underwood Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Ames, Iowa. It gives grants to charitable organizations, with most of its 2025 grant dollars going to organizations in Iowa.
Key facts about Underwood Family Foundation
In short: Underwood Family Foundation gave $756K across 53 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in Iowa. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-1487042
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $755,847
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- Average grant
- $14,261
- Median grant
- $3,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (4 of 53, 2025)
- Total assets
- $15,041,052
- Primary geography
- Iowa (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.0M
+1.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$756K
+9.3% YoY
Grant Count
53
+3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+5.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Underwood Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $800K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Underwood Family Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 53 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 91% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% 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 (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission is stated. Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Food Bank of Iowa says it distributes salvageable food to nonprofit member agencies serving people in need, while Food at First describes its work as providing a food pantry and meal service in central Iowa. Whatcom Land Trust says it works to protect wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural, and open-space lands in Whatcom County. Bible Study Fellowship describes its mission as providing Bible classes centered on commitment to Christ, the Bible, and the church.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 53 grants totaling $755,847. Grants ranged from $700 to $390,750, with a median of $3,500. Its largest 2025 grants included $390,750 to Iowa State University Foundation, $56,450 to Ascention Luthern Church, $25,000 to YSS, and $16,000 each to Ames Christian School and Bible Study Fellowship. Other recipients included AlphaOmnicron Pi Foundation ($15,500), Calvary E Free Church ($15,000), The Bridge Home ($15,000), and Western Washington Univ Foundation ($15,000).
Ready to take the next step with Underwood Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 79% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa, followed by Minnesota (6%), Washington (5%), Tennessee (3%), and Missouri (2%). The listed grant recipients also include organizations in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $576K (2020) to $758K (2022). In 2025 it made 53 grants totaling $756K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Iowa State University Foundation ($391K). Together the top 10 received $576K.
Grant Size Distribution
267 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 254 grants of 267 (95%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University Foundation Ames, IA | Operational | $390,750 |
| Ascention Luthern Church Ames, IA | Operational | $56,450 |
| YSS Ames, IA | Operational | $25,000 |
| Ames Christian School Ames, IA | Operational | $16,000 |
| Bible Study Fellowship San Antonio, TX | Operational | $16,000 |
| Alphaomnicron Pi Foundaiton Brentwood, TN | Operational | $15,500 |
| Calvary E Free Church Walker, MN | Operational | $15,000 |
| The Bridge Home Ames, IA | Operational | $15,000 |
| Western Washington Univ Foundation Bellingham, WA | Operational | $15,000 |
| Kids Accross America Foundation Branson, MO | Operational | $11,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants | Total grant dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 53 | $755,847 |
| 2024 | 51 | $691,656 |
| 2023 | 58 | $740,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,041,052 | $14,757,025 | $14,405,334 |
| Revenue | $1,079,336 | $1,089,421 | $749,598 |
| Expenses | $802,621 | $726,013 | $772,144 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $760,607 | $696,191 | $744,803 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,037,322 | $1,059,599 | $722,257 |
| Distributable Amount | $800,308 | $752,498 | $688,337 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Roger Underwood, Connie Underwood, William Underwood, Andrew Underwood, Dr Nina Whitney, and Chloe Underwood as directors.
Underwood Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Connie Underwood
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Underwood
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Underwood
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chloe Underwood
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nina Whitney
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Underwood
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2436, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 233-5991
Frequently asked questions about Underwood Family Foundation
How much does Underwood Family Foundation give each year?
Underwood Family Foundation gave $756K across 53 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $692K across 51 grants.
What is Underwood Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Underwood Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,500, and its average grant was $14,261, across 53 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Underwood Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Underwood Family Foundation give grants?
Underwood Family Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Minnesota (6%) and Washington (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ames, IA (17 grants), Walker, MN (6 grants), Gilbert, IA (5 grants) and Des Moines, IA (3 grants).
Does Underwood Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of Underwood Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 53) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Underwood Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Underwood Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Iowa State University Foundation ($390,750), Ascention Luthern Church ($56,450) and YSS ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Underwood Family Foundation?
Underwood Family Foundation reported $15.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $761K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $800K (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 Underwood Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission is stated. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Underwood Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Underwood Family Foundation's EIN?
Underwood Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1487042. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Underwood Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Underwood Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Underwood Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Iowa
Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/a Greater Des Moines Community Fdn
Des Moines, IA
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines funds nonprofits through competitive grants for community impact, organizational capacity, and collaboration, with 2026 priorities including housing, transportation, health, economic opportunity, and inclusion. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants had a median of $12,889, while Capacity Building grants are capped at $7,500. Its programs serve Greater Des Moines and, through an affiliated foundation, Adair County; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the profile.
Assets
$918.7M
Grants
1,259
Total Given
$55.7M
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
$28.5M
Grants
929
Total Given
$2.4M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone funds charitable and educational efforts, especially direct Christian ministries, through donor-recommended grants to eligible U.S. and international nonprofits whose missions align with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and grants are recommended by donors.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Becker Family Foundation
Ames, IA
The ISU Foundation, located in Ames, Iowa, supports Iowa State University's alumni and friends through various membership programs and events including the Cyclone Rewards program, legal and insurance services, professional development opportunities, event planning services, and distinguished alumni recognition awards.
Assets
$15.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$737K
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Pella Rolscreen Foundation
Pella, IA
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports charitable organizations working in education and community betterment, including civic, cultural, social, and physical-environment programs in communities where Pella Corporation employees live. Large grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 and typically cover no more than 25% of project costs; its 2024 grants had a median of $1,029. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities in communities where Pella has manufacturing plants.
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
433
Total Given
$1.9M
Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino Inc
Altoona, IA
Prairie Meadows funds arts and culture, education, economic development, human services, and youth sports and recreation through grants for projects in central Iowa and across Iowa. Its 2024 grant median was $15,000; program awards range from $100 to $1 million, depending on the grant program.
Assets
$327.6M
Grants
409
Total Given
$33.0M
Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
West Des Moines, IA
The Iowa Health Care Association Foundation funds scholarships and career-education resources for employees of member long-term-care organizations and Iowa high school students pursuing long-term-care careers. Its typical giving level varies: it awarded 287 grants totaling about $4.1 million in 2024, and the listed high school scholarship is $2,000. Its programs focus on Iowa; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$329K
Grants
287
Total Given
$4.1M
New Charitable Foundation
Fort Dodge, IA
Assets
$6K
Grants
264
Total Given
$294K
Quad Cities Community Foundation
Bettendorf, IA
The Quad Cities Community Foundation supports charitable programs in health and human services, education, arts and culture, the environment, youth services, and community development. It primarily serves Rock Island County, Illinois, and Scott County, Iowa, with affiliate funds reaching nearby counties; its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, while its Operations and Programs Grants accept requests of $5,000–$20,000.
Assets
$209.7M
Grants
263
Total Given
$7.5M
Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Inc
Ottumwa, IA
The foundation funds community projects in Ottumwa and Wapello County, including work in health, education, housing, economic prosperity, and quality of life. Its annual grantmaking averages about $3 million; Bright Ideas grants are typically $2,500–$30,000, while awards overall vary widely. Bright Ideas accepts applications from eligible nonprofits; strategic grants are by invitation only.
Assets
$73.8M
Grants
216
Total Given
$3.1M
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque funds projects addressing community needs, including health, education, support for vulnerable people, nonprofit capacity-building, and collaboration, primarily in Northeast Iowa and through local affiliate foundations. Its 2024 grants had a median of $13,500, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$165.4M
Grants
211
Total Given
$8.0M
More Funders in Iowa
Underwood Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?