Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INSPIRE PEOPLE AND CONNECT RESOURCES TO ENRICH OUR COMMUNITIES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CARRIES OUT THIS MISSION ACROSS ITS 20 COUNTY REGION BY RESPONDING TO CURRENT AND FUTURE CHARITABLE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. THE FOUNDATION RESPONDS BY SUPPORTING NONPROFITS DOING GOOD IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH GRANTMAKING AND BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES ESTABLISH ENDOWMENT FUNDS TO CREATE LONG-TERM POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE CAUSES THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ALSO ACTS AS PARTNER AND CONVENER THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY AND PHILANTHROPIC LEADERS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES IN OUR REGION.
- Income
- $37.7 million
- Spending
- $10.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 34.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 74%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 450
- Highest pay
- $271,156, president &
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 34.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 71% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 161% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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, 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)
- $8.9 million spent. THE FOUNDATION RESPONDS BY SUPPORTING NONPROFITS DOING GOOD IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH GRANTMAKING AND BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES ESTABLISH ENDOWMENT FUNDS TO CREATE LONG-TERM POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE CAUSES THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. GRANTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ACROSS OUR REGION, ARE RATIFIED BY THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ARE MADE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ART AND CULTURE, COMMUNITY BETTERMENT, EDUCATION AND YOUTH BETTERMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICE.
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
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 2025.
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 October 1963.
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.