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Lutheran Services in Iowa Charitable Foundation Inc

EIN 42-1254906 · Des Moines, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. (LSI FND) IS TO ACCEPT GIFTS FROM BEQUESTS, LIFE INSURANCE, AND OTHER RESTRICTED DONATIONS. THESE FUNDS ARE INVESTED BY LSI FND'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH THE INVESTMENT EARNINGS USED FOR PERPETUAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF LSI IN PROVIDING SOCIAL MINISTRY SERVICES. THE MISSION STATEMENT OF LSI IS: LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA RESPONDS TO THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH COMPASSIONATE SERVICE.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$772,408
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
0
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$270,684, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 100% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $615,886 spent. PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO LSI AND THROUGH THAT FINANCIAL SUPPORT ASSIST LSI WITH ITS PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SOCIAL MINISTRY SERVICES TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND OTHERS IN NEED OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE. LSI IMPACTS THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF IOWANS ANNUALLY THROUGH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, SERVICES TO FAMILIES, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE SERVICES, REFUGEE COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. LSI SERVES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, GENDERS, NATIONALITIES, RELIGIONS, ETHNICITIES AND SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS AND IS AFFILIATED WITH LUTHERAN SERVICES IN AMERICA AND THREE IOWA SYNODS OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ELCA).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.