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Passes our checks

Iowa Center Loan Fund

EIN 86-2366457 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE IOWA CENTER LOAN FUND CDFI IS TO REDUCE PROVERTY AND INEQUALITY AND FURTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO CAPITAL TO IOWANS STARTING OR EXPANDING A BUSINESS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE LOAN FUND SERVES LOW-INCOME BUSINESS OWNERS, BUSINESS OWNERS WHO LIVE IN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS AND OTHERWISE DIVERSE OR HISTORICALLY-DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS OWNERS. THE LOAN FUND WILL PROVIDE RESPONSIBLE, AFFORDABLE LENDING TO EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. IN ADDITION TO FINANCING, THE IOWA CENTER LOAN FUND PROVIDES APPLICANTS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, CONNECTS CLIENTS WITH NECESSARY BUSINESS SERVICES AND OFFERS CREDIT COUNSELING TO IMPROVE CREDIT HISTORY.

Income
$369,185
Spending
$369,185
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
18
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$147,256, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 264% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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 June 30, 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. $369,185 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES NEW OR GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES WITH ACCESS TO CAPITAL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FIXED INTEREST RATE LOANS WITH UP TO 5-YEAR TERMS AND NO DOWN PAYMENTS REQUIRED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 April 2022.

    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.