Foundations that fund organizations in Clear Lake, Iowa
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Clear Lake nonprofits
28 private foundations gave $794K to Clear Lake organizations in their latest filings; 19 of the 28 that say either way accept applications.
62 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Clear Lake around $5,000. 16 of these funders are based in Iowa; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 28
- Accept applications
- 19
- of 28 that state a policy
- Dollars to Clear Lake
- $794K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 62
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in IA
- 57%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Clear Lake organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation | Forest City, IA | 10 | $166K | $6,000 | Yes | Reroof clubhouse; Clear lake earth days; North iowa corridor |
| Jd Nelson and Debra Nelson Charitable Foundation | Clear Lake, IA | 5 | $153K | $27K | Yes | General support; School grant |
| Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation Inc | Mason City, IA | 6 | $79K | $6,424 | Yes | Beautifications; Hvac/repairs; Event |
| FIRST Citizens Bank Charitable Foundation | Mason City, IA | 4 | $72K | $5,500 | Yes | General support; Bash at the lake music festival; Clear lake area chamber of commerce and welcome cener expan… |
| Newman's Own Foundation | Westport, CT | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Elevating farm to school in north iowa |
| Michael L Peterson Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Support of a local charity that supports the local community |
| Tomson Family Foundation Trust | Mason City, IA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | Building acquisition |
| Farrer Endowment Foundation | Mason City, IA | 3 | $42K | $10K | Yes | Nursing traininglab; Engage communitymembers; Capital improvements |
| Dorothy Ann Weitzel and Thomas F W | Clear Lake, IA | 3 | $38K | $7,500 | Yes | New building; Kids cafe; Support- bash at the lake |
| Bertha Stebens Charitable Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 6 | $20K | $3,000 | Yes | Tenth Annual Picnics and Performances; Music room renovation; Building a Bright Future Capital Campaign |
| Lam Yau Jong Charitable Foundation | San Marino, CA | 1 | $12K | $12K | Preselected only | To support media work in Arab |
| Clb Foundation | Excelsior, MN | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Missions support |
| The David & Phyllis Murphy Charitable Foundation | Mason City, IA | 1 | $9,000 | $9,000 | Yes | Production video, programming |
| Iowa Peo Project Fund Inc | Washington, IA | 2 | $7,500 | $3,750 | Yes | Grant |
| The Angelia Foundation | Silverthorne, CO | 1 | $5,278 | $5,278 | Yes | General support |
| Land O'Lakes Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Independent retailer match |
| Teamquest Foundation | Clear Lake, IA | 1 | $4,500 | $4,500 | Yes | Steam learning |
| William G McGowan Charitable Fund | Chicago, IL | 2 | $4,500 | $2,250 | Yes | General operations |
| Ray V Hewitt Foundation | Clear Lake, IA | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | General donation |
| Beth E Reinhart Charitable Trust | Mason City, IA | 2 | $3,234 | $1,617 | Yes | Fund 10 week program; Scholarships, instructor, supplies |
| Brody International Inc | Greenwood, CA | 1 | $2,400 | $2,400 | Preselected only | Supporting local churches to equip and send people to sprea… |
| Chubb Charitable Foundation | Philadelphia, PA | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | Matching Gifts |
| Elizabeth McCarty Edwards Foundation | Jackson, MS | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Evangelical purposes |
| B E C K Foundation | West Des Moines, IA | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Preselected only | To be used in the organizations exempt mission work |
| Beasley Family Foundation Inc | Mason City, IA | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Care for disabled |
| John D Drew and Dorothy M Drew Family Foundation | Corpus Christi, TX | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Public support |
| Alliant Energy Foundation Inc | Madison, WI | 2 | $804 | $402 | Yes | Matching gift |
| Blanche Carey Martin Charitable Tr | Clear Lake, IA | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | General donation-support |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Clear Lake, Iowa?
John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation, Jd Nelson and Debra Nelson Charitable Foundation, Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation Inc, FIRST Citizens Bank Charitable Foundation, Newman's Own Foundation and 23 others reported grants to Clear Lake organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Clear Lake. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.