Iowa Barn Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOUNDED IN 1997, THE IOWA BARN FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING IOWA'S RURAL BUILDINGS, SYMBOLS OF IOWA'S EARLY AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO PRESERVE IOWA'S AGRICULTURAL HISTORY AND ENDANGERED BARNS BY EDUCATING PEOPLE IN IOWA - AND BEYOND - ABOUT OUR RURAL HERITAGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BARN PRESERVATION.
- Income
- $197,702
- Spending
- $163,424
- Reserves
- 12.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 51% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $114,403 spent. THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWS AND APPROVES GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF BARNS. GRANT RECIPIENTS MUST PROVE FULFILLMENT OF ALL GRANT REQUIREMENTS BEFORE THE GRANT IS FULLY FUNDED.
- $740 spent. BOOK SALES. ALL PROCEEDS ARE ALLOCATED TOWARD THE FOUNDATION'S BARN PRESERVATION FUND.
- $39,669 spent. EDUCATIONAL AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING BARN TOURS, IOWA STATE FAIR BOOTH, SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS, MAGAZINE PUBLICATION AND WEBSITE MANAGEMENT.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.