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Iowa Health System

EIN 42-1435199 · Wdm, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

Income
$442.4 million
Spending
$493.8 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
3,067
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$2.4 million, ex-officio member/ceo

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

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 105% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (2)
  1. $382.5 million spent. AFFILIATE SUPPORT SERVICESIOWA HEALTH SYSTEM (D/B/A UNITYPOINT HEALTH) IS ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF SEVERAL RELATED CHARITABLE, TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE FOLOWING MARKETS, IOWA HEALTH DES MOINES (DES MOINES), TRINITY REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM (QUAD CITIES), ST. LUKE'S HEALTHCARE (CEDAR RAPIDS), ALLEN HEALTH SYSTEMS (WATERLOO), TRINITY HEALTH SYSTEMS (FORT DODGE), ST. LUKE'S HEALTH SYSTEM (SIOUX CITY), FINLEY TRI-STATES HEALTH GROUP (DUBUQUE), MERITER HEALTH SERVICES (MADISON), AND IOWA PHYSICIANS CLINIC MEDICAL FOUNDATION (DBA UNITYPOINT CLINIC), UNITYPOINT AT HOME, AS WELL AS MULTIPLE RURAL AFFILIATES. THE SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE TO CONSTRUCT, OWN, LEASE, MANAGE, OPERATE, PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ANY FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, SERVICES (MANAGEMENT OR OTHERWISE) AND RELATED ACTIVITIES IN FURTHERANCE OF HEALTH-CARE OR HEALTH EDUCATION. FACILITIES INCLUDE HOSPITALS, SELF-CARE FACILITIES, CLINICS, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS CREATED TO CARRY THROUGH HEALTH-CARE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO ENGAGE IN AND CONDUCT CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS AND SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH PREVIOUSLY STATED PURPOSES.
  2. $68,000 spent. COMMUNITY BENEFITIOWA HEALTH SYSTEM PROVIDES SEVERAL OTHER BENEFITS THAT ASSIST THE COMMUNITY. PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT OPERATIONS SUCH AS PREVENTION AND HEALTH SCREENINGS; HEALTH PROFESSIONAL'S EDUCATION; SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES; RESEARCH, AND CASH AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS. IOWA HEALTH SYSTEM COLLABORATES WITH OTHER HOSPITALS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND DAYCARE CENTERS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. IOWA HEALTH SYSTEM HAS DEDICATED STAFF TO ASSIST COMMUNITY BENEFIT EFFORTS. TOTAL OTHER BENEFITS REPORTED VALUE: $68,000.

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

  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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 October 1996.

    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 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.