Benson Family Foundation | Foundation Profile
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Benson Family Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 20-6077479
Foundation Overview
Based in Des Moines, IA, Benson Family Foundation has awarded 192 grants totaling $44,284 to organizations in District of Columbia, Iowa and 10 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $100 to $1,100, with a median award of $112.5.
Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot
Foundation Intelligence
Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies
New Applicant Friendliness
4 of 16 recipients (25%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.
Geographic Focus
73% of all grants are concentrated in Iowa, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Iowa, funding concentrates in Des Moines (62%), Urbandale (9%), Johnston (9%).
Funding Trajectory
Declining funding trend with 15% decrease over 5 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.
Program Areas
Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (37%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.
Where is The Money Going?
Grants & Funding
Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Benson Family Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.
| Name | Amount | Location | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Rescue League | $700 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2025 |
| Child Serve | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Children Care | 2025 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $500 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2025 |
| Heifer International | $100 | Albert Lea, MN, US | Family Poverty | 2025 |
| Hope Ministries | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2025 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $600 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2025 |
| Mind & Spirit Counseling Center | $250 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling Services | 2025 |
| Perry Lutheran Home | $200 | Perry, IA, US | Grief Counseling | 2025 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $100 | Urbandale, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2025 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $100 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2025 |
| Wesley Life | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Provide Meals | 2025 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $200 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2025 |
| First Unitarian Church Of Des Moines | $1,000 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2025 |
| The Salvation Army | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food, Shelter Etc | 2025 |
| Special Olympics Iowa | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Disabled Athletes | 2025 |
| Vfw Auxiliary | $200 | Kansas City, MO, US | Veterans | 2025 |
| Animal Rescue League | $900 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2024 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $600 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2024 |
| Guide Dog Foundation | $100 | Smithtown, NY, US | Guide Dogs | 2024 |
| Hope Ministries | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2024 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2024 |
| Mind & Spirit Counseling Center | $450 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling Services | 2024 |
| Perry Lutheran Home | $200 | Perry, IA, US | Grief Counseling | 2024 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $100 | Urbandale, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2024 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $200 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2024 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $100 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2024 |
| Street Collective | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2024 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $100 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2024 |
| Granger Emt Auxilary | $100 | Granger, IA, US | Public Safety | 2024 |
| 1000 Friends Of Iowa | $500 | Des Moines, IA, US | Tree Replacement | 2024 |
| Pocahontis Catholic Church | $200 | Pocahontas, IA, US | Church | 2024 |
| Child Serve | $200 | Johnston, IA, US | Children Care | 2024 |
| Macular Degeneration Research | $200 | Clarksburg, MD, US | Medical Research | 2024 |
| Tunnel To Towers | $100 | Philadelphia, PA, US | Wounded Warriors | 2024 |
| Variety The Childrens Charity | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Children Care | 2024 |
| Wesley Life | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Provide Meals | 2024 |
| Heifer International | $100 | Albert Lea, MN, US | Family Poverty | 2024 |
| Stead Family Hospital | $100 | Iowa City, IA, US | Children Care | 2024 |
| Guide Dog Foundation | $100 | Smithtown, NY, US | Guide Dogs | 2023 |
| Animal Rescue League | $1,100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2023 |
| Bread For The World | $100 | Washington, DC, US | World Hunger | 2023 |
| Des Moines Public Library Foundation | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Library | 2023 |
| Wreaths Across America | $100 | Columbia Falls, ME, US | Honor Veterans | 2023 |
| First Unitarian Church | $784 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2023 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $700 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2023 |
| Iowa Public Radio | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Radio | 2023 |
| National Audubon Society | $100 | Washington, DC, US | Protecting Birds | 2023 |
| Hope Ministries | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2023 |
| I Can Education Foundation | $200 | Coralville, IA, US | Education | 2023 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2023 |
| American Lung Association | $100 | Chicago, IL, US | Healthy Lungs | 2023 |
| On With Life | $100 | Ankeny, IA, US | Brain Injury Rehabilitation | 2023 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $100 | Urbandale, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2023 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $100 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2023 |
| Dmacc Foundation | $200 | Ankeny, IA, US | Education | 2023 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $125 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2023 |
| Street Collective | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2023 |
| Mind & Spirit Counseling Center | $350 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling Services | 2023 |
| Perry Lutheran Home | $100 | Perry, IA, US | Grief Counseling | 2023 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $150 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2023 |
| Guide Dog Foundation | $100 | Smithtown, NY, US | Guide Dogs | 2023 |
| Animal Rescue League | $1,100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2023 |
| Bread For The World | $100 | Washington, DC, US | World Hunger | 2023 |
| Des Moines Public Library Foundation | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Library | 2023 |
| Wreaths Across America | $100 | Columbia Falls, ME, US | Honor Veterans | 2023 |
| First Unitarian Church | $784 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2023 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $700 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2023 |
| Iowa Public Radio | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Radio | 2023 |
| National Audubon Society | $100 | Washington, DC, US | Protecting Birds | 2023 |
| Hope Ministries | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2023 |
| I Can Education Foundation | $200 | Coralville, IA, US | Education | 2023 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2023 |
| American Lung Association | $100 | Chicago, IL, US | Healthy Lungs | 2023 |
| On With Life | $100 | Ankeny, IA, US | Brain Injury Rehabilitation | 2023 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $100 | Urbandale, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2023 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $100 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2023 |
| Dmacc Foundation | $200 | Ankeny, IA, US | Education | 2023 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $125 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2023 |
| Street Collective | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2023 |
| Mind & Spirit Counseling Center | $350 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling Services | 2023 |
| Perry Lutheran Home | $100 | Perry, IA, US | Grief Counseling | 2023 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $150 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2023 |
| Alzeimers Association | $100 | Washington, DC, US | Alzheimers Disease Research | 2022 |
| Animal Rescue League | $1,100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2022 |
| Des Moines Public Library Foundation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Library | 2022 |
| Dm Pastoral Center | $200 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling For Women | 2022 |
| First Unitarian Church | $983 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2022 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $700 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2022 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $150 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Plant Gardens | 2022 |
| Hope Ministries | $400 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2022 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2022 |
| Macular Degeneration Research | $100 | Clarksburg, MD, US | Macular Degeneration Research | 2022 |
| On With Life | $200 | Ankeny, IA, US | Brain Injury Rehabilitation | 2022 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2022 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $100 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2022 |
| Salvation Army | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Assistance To The Indigent | 2022 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $100 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2022 |
| Street Collective | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2022 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $200 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2022 |
| I Can Education Foundation | $200 | Coralville, IA, US | Education | 2022 |
| Caring Bridge | $100 | Albert Lea, MN, US | Health | 2022 |
| Friends Of Iowa Pbs | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Educational Programming | 2022 |
| Waveland Trolley Loop | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Historical | 2022 |
| Wesley Life Meals On Wheels | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Food Service For Elderly | 2022 |
| Alzeimers Association | $100 | Washington, DC, US | Alzheimers Disease Research | 2022 |
| Animal Rescue League | $1,100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2022 |
| Des Moines Public Library Foundation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Library | 2022 |
| Dm Pastoral Center | $200 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling For Women | 2022 |
| First Unitarian Church | $983 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2022 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $700 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2022 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $150 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Plant Gardens | 2022 |
| Hope Ministries | $400 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2022 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2022 |
| Macular Degeneration Research | $100 | Clarksburg, MD, US | Macular Degeneration Research | 2022 |
| On With Life | $200 | Ankeny, IA, US | Brain Injury Rehabilitation | 2022 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2022 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $100 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2022 |
| Salvation Army | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Assistance To The Indigent | 2022 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $100 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2022 |
| Street Collective | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2022 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $200 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2022 |
| I Can Education Foundation | $200 | Coralville, IA, US | Education | 2022 |
| Caring Bridge | $100 | Albert Lea, MN, US | Health | 2022 |
| Friends Of Iowa Pbs | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Educational Programming | 2022 |
| Waveland Trolley Loop | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Historical | 2022 |
| Wesley Life Meals On Wheels | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Food Service For Elderly | 2022 |
| Animal Rescue League | $700 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2021 |
| Dm Pastoral Center | $450 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling For Women | 2021 |
| First Unitarian Church | $500 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2021 |
| Food Bank Of Iowa | $800 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2021 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Plant Gardens | 2021 |
| Guide Dog Foundation | $100 | Smithtown, NY, US | Guide Dogs | 2021 |
| Hope Ministries | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2021 |
| Iowa Public Radio | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Education Radio | 2021 |
| Iowa Public Television | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Education Television | 2021 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2021 |
| National Park Foundation | $100 | Baltimore, MD, US | National Parks | 2021 |
| On With Life | $100 | Ankeny, IA, US | Brain Injury Rehabilitation | 2021 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $400 | Des Moines, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2021 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $200 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2021 |
| Salvation Army | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Assistance To The Indigent | 2021 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $100 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2021 |
| Street Collective | $225 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2021 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $150 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2021 |
| Wreaths Across America | $200 | Columbia Falls, ME, US | Wreaths Across America | 2021 |
| Youth Homes Of Mid America | $200 | Johnston, IA, US | Youth Education | 2021 |
| Holy Trinity School Endowment Fund | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Catholic Education | 2021 |
| Des Moines Public Library Foundation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Library | 2021 |
| Beaverdale Fall Festival | $250 | Des Moines, IA, US | Community Improvement | 2021 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | $300 | Memphis, TN, US | Childrens Research Hospital | 2021 |
| Heifer International | $275 | Albert Lea, MN, US | Hunger And Poverty | 2021 |
| Macular Degeneration Research | $200 | Clarksburg, MD, US | Macular Degeneration Research | 2021 |
| Alzeimers Disease Research | $100 | Clarksburg, MD, US | Alzheimers Disease Research | 2021 |
| Adult & Teen Challance Of The Midlands | $200 | Colfax, IA, US | Rehabilitation Recovery Programs | 2020 |
| Animal Rescue League | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2020 |
| Animal Rescue League | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2020 |
| Animal Rescue League | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2020 |
| Animal Rescue League | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2020 |
| Animal Rescue League | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2020 |
| Animal Rescue League | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Shelter For Homeless Animals | 2020 |
| Beacon Of Life | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Transitional Center For Women | 2020 |
| Beacon Of Life | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Transitional Center For Women | 2020 |
| Child Serve | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Childrens Serviceschild Health Welfare | 2020 |
| Dm Pastoral Center | $250 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling For Women | 2020 |
| Dm Pastoral Center | $100 | Urbandale, IA, US | Counseling For Women | 2020 |
| Environmental Defense Fund | $100 | Washington, DC, US | Environment | 2020 |
| First Unitarian Church | $500 | Des Moines, IA, US | Church | 2020 |
| Food Bank | $300 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2020 |
| Food Bank | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2020 |
| Food Bank | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food Assistance | 2020 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Public Plant Gardens | 2020 |
| Guide Dog Foundation | $100 | Smithtown, NY, US | Guide Dogs | 2020 |
| Hope Ministries | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2020 |
| Hope Ministries | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2020 |
| Hope Ministries | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Food & Shelter For Indigent | 2020 |
| Iowa Public Radio | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Education Radio | 2020 |
| Iowa Public Television | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Education Television | 2020 |
| Iowa Wild Bird Rehabilitation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Iowa Bird Rehab | 2020 |
| On With Life | $100 | Ankeny, IA, US | Brain Injury Rehabilitation | 2020 |
| Puppy Jake Foundation | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Home For Disabled Animals | 2020 |
| Rolling Dog Farm | $100 | Lancaster, NH, US | Rescues Disabled Dogsrescuing Disabled Dogs | 2020 |
| Salvation Army | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Assistance To The Indigent | 2020 |
| Seed Savers Exchange | $100 | Decorah, IA, US | Preservation Of Heirloom Seeds | 2020 |
| Street Collective | $200 | Des Moines, IA, US | Safe Transportation | 2020 |
| Wesley Life | $100 | Johnston, IA, US | Meals For Elderly | 2020 |
| Wing Haven Foundation | $200 | Charlotte, NC, US | Bird Sanctuarysupport For Women & Children | 2020 |
| Wreaths Across America | $100 | Columbia Falls, ME, US | Wreaths Across America | 2020 |
| Tunnels To Towers Foundation | $200 | Staten Island, NY, US | Veterans And First Respondersyouth Homeschild Welfare | 2020 |
| Salvation Army | $100 | Des Moines, IA, US | Assistance To The Indigent | 2020 |
| Bread For The Wolrd | $100 | Washington, DC, US | World Hunger | 2020 |
| National Park Foundation | $100 | Baltimore, MD, US | National Parks | 2020 |
| National Park Foundation | $100 | Baltimore, MD, US | National Parks | 2020 |
Foundations Similar to Benson Family Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($77,109-$108,983), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IA that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.
| Foundation Name | Total Assets | Typical Grant Size | Service Area | Similarity Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Milton And Joanne Brown Foundation
EIN: 42-1212541 | 25 grants awarded |
$108,983
(≈ Similar) |
$200
median grant |
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Same state |
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|
Iowa Association Of Family And Consumer Sciences
EIN: 23-7087683 | 19 grants awarded |
$77,109
(↓ Smaller) |
$199
median grant |
Webster City, IA
Same state |
|
|
Goldenberg Family Charitable Foundation
EIN: 13-3249397 | 227 grants awarded |
$96,898
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$180
median grant |
New Rochelle, NY |
|
|
Donata Young Foundation
EIN: 20-0479356 | 23 grants awarded |
$96,850
(≈ Similar) |
$166
median grant |
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|
Red Knights Motorcycle Club Louisiana 1 Jefferson Inc
EIN: 72-1483139 | 43 grants awarded |
$97,100
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Related Foundation Resources in IA:
Contact Information
Official contact details for Benson Family Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 20-6077479 |
| Website | N/A |
| Address | 4042 OVID AVE Des Moines, IA 50310-4148 |
Key People (1)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Benson Family Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| President | Sandy B Johnson |
|---|
Forms 990-PF
IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.
Form 990-PF Research Tips
- Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
- Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
- Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
- Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns
About This Foundation Profile
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