Iowa Genealogical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To educate its members and the general public through the preservation acquisition and dissemination of genealogical historical and cultural information including the maintenance of a research library the publication of records and the presentation of conferences workshops and classes.
- Income
- $147,179
- Spending
- $80,226
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 26.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 91 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 26.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 62 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $50,767 spent. The society maintains a genealogical research with over 15,000 books 1,000,microforms and 6,000 periodicals. The library has 8 computer stations with internet access for patron use as well as wireless internet to access online databases. The library pays for an institutional subscription to Ancestry.com and MyHeritage. It is also an affiliate of the FamilySearch library in Salt Lake City allowing patron to access specialized record collections. Volunteers who are experienced researchers are available to help library patrons. The library is open 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours.
- $16,179 spent. The society presented 2 major conferences on various topics with an approximate total attendance of 145. The conference and other classes are presented in person as well as via Zoom allowing individuals outside of Des Moines to attend. Each month there are classes on specialized topics with an average attendance of 15 per class. These classes are open to the public and are recorded so they can be watched at later dates. There are 9 groups that meet monthly via Zoom to discuss researching various nationalities and software as well as DNA. The society maintains a Facebook page to share information. A bi-annual publication with genealogical information is sent to all members. They also receive a bi-monthly newsletter and a bi-weekly email update. Volunteers teach classes at societies libraries and community groups throughout the state.
- $25 spent. Volunteers provide research on a limited basis for individuals who are not able to come to Des Moines to do their own research.
- $28 spent. For a fee individuals receive certificates in recognition of their family early presence in Iowa. Documentary proofs are added to the library collection. Fees are collected when members register for classes and conferences pay dues and purchase books with credit cards. These fees are used to offset credit card processing expenses. Publications of local records are prepared by volunteers and sold to researchers,
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1971.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.