Samuel B O'brien Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Samuel B O'brien Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 81-4616804

Foundation Overview

Based in Des Moines, IA, Samuel B O'brien Foundation has awarded 91 grants totaling $202,978 to organizations in Iowa, Michigan and 4 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $50 to $35,000, with a median award of $500.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$202,978
Total Assets
$702,153
Median Grant (all grants)
$500

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
11
Median Grant
$150
% Median Grant Decline
-70% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Closed Network: 9%

1 of 11 recipients (9%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains tight relationships with established partners. New applicants rarely succeed without insider connections.

Geographic Focus
Iowa

76% 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 (58%), Indianola (17%), Okoboji (14%).

Funding Trajectory
+16%

Stable funding levels with 16% change over 3 years indicate consistent grant-making capacity and predictable philanthropic resources. This stability suggests reliable ongoing funding opportunities.

Program Areas
Education + General Purposes

Dual focus on education (50%) and general purposes, indicating strategic concentration in complementary program areas.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Samuel B O'brien 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 $150 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2023
Brenton Arboretum $51 Dallas Center, IA, US Charitable 2023
Des Moines Art Center $140 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2023
Des Moines Botanical Center $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2023
Des Moines Metro Opera $1,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitable 2023
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2023
Mill Reef Fund $500 Detroit, MI, US Charitable 2023
Pearson Lakes Art Center $75 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2023
Shattuck St Mary's School $1,050 Faribault, MN, US Charitable 2023
Simpson College - Iowa History Center $1,000 Indianola, IA, US Educational 2023
Historic Arnolds Park $35,000 Arnolds Park, IA, US Charitable 2023
Animal Rescue League $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Blank Park Zoo Foundation $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Brenton Arboretum $5,000 Dallas Center, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Art Center $250 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Botanical Center $1,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Metro Opera $10,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitable 2022
Dickinson County Trails Board $2,000 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2022
Friends Of Iowa Casa $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Heritage Carousel Of Des Moines $150 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $2,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Mill Reef Fund $500 Detroit, MI, US Charitable 2022
Pacific Crest Trail Association $50 Sacramento, CA, US Charitable 2022
Pearson Lakes Art Center $150 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2022
Shattuck St Mary's School $5,300 Faribault, MN, US Charitable 2022
Simpson College - Iowa History Center $2,000 Indianola, IA, US Educational 2022
Ding Darling Wildlife Society $5,000 Sanibel, FL, US Charitable 2022
Lewis And Clark College $200 Portland, OR, US Educational 2022
Animal Rescue League $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Blank Park Zoo Foundation $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Brenton Arboretum $5,000 Dallas Center, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Art Center $250 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Botanical Center $1,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Metro Opera $10,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitable 2022
Dickinson County Trails Board $2,000 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2022
Friends Of Iowa Casa $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Heritage Carousel Of Des Moines $150 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $2,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Mill Reef Fund $500 Detroit, MI, US Charitable 2022
Pacific Crest Trail Association $50 Sacramento, CA, US Charitable 2022
Pearson Lakes Art Center $150 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2022
Shattuck St Mary's School $5,300 Faribault, MN, US Charitable 2022
Simpson College - Iowa History Center $2,000 Indianola, IA, US Educational 2022
Ding Darling Wildlife Society $5,000 Sanibel, FL, US Charitable 2022
Lewis And Clark College $200 Portland, OR, US Educational 2022
Animal Rescue League $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Blank Park Zoo Foundation $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Brenton Arboretum $5,000 Dallas Center, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Art Center $250 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Botanical Center $1,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Des Moines Metro Opera $10,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitable 2022
Dickinson County Trails Board $2,000 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2022
Friends Of Iowa Casa $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Heritage Carousel Of Des Moines $150 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $2,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2022
Mill Reef Fund $500 Detroit, MI, US Charitable 2022
Pacific Crest Trail Association $50 Sacramento, CA, US Charitable 2022
Pearson Lakes Art Center $150 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2022
Shattuck St Mary's School $5,300 Faribault, MN, US Charitable 2022
Simpson College - Iowa History Center $2,000 Indianola, IA, US Educational 2022
Ding Darling Wildlife Society $5,000 Sanibel, FL, US Charitable 2022
Lewis And Clark College $200 Portland, OR, US Educational 2022
Animal Rescue League $250 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2021
Blank Park Zoo Foundation $200 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2021
Brenton Arboretum $756 Dallas Center, IA, US Charitable 2021
Des Moines Art Center $250 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2021
Des Moines Botanical Center $125 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2021
Des Moines Metro Opera $17,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitable 2021
Heritage Carousel Of Des Moines $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2021
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $5,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2021
Mill Reef Fund $500 Detroit, MI, US Charitable 2021
Pearson Lakes Art Center $250 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2021
Shattuck St Mary's School $500 Faribault, MN, US Charitable 2021
Simpson College - Iowa History Center $1,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitableeducational 2021
Pacific Crest Trail Association $75 Sacramento, CA, US Charitable 2021
Animal Rescue League $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Blank Park Zoo Foundation $100 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Brenton Arboretum $256 Dallas Center, IA, US Charitable 2020
Des Moines Botanical Center $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Des Moines Metro Opera $24,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitable 2020
Dickinson County Trails Board $500 Okoboji, IA, US Charitablecharitable 2020
Heritage Carousel Of Des Moines $150 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $1,000 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Mill Reef Fund $500 Detroit, MI, US Charitable 2020
Trhs Foundation - Roosevelt High School $1,000 Des Moines, IA, US Educational 2020
Friends Of Iowa Casa $50 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Shattuck St Mary's School $2,500 Faribault, MN, US Charitable 2020
Simpson College - Iowa History Center $2,000 Indianola, IA, US Charitableeducational 2020
Des Moines Art Center $250 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Food Bank Of Iowa $500 Des Moines, IA, US Charitable 2020
Pearson Lakes Art Center $300 Okoboji, IA, US Charitable 2020

Foundations Similar to Samuel B O'brien Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($634,355-$696,938), 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

EIN: 42-6131300 | 73 grants awarded
$696,938
(≈ Similar)
$900
median grant
Sac City, IA
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-6080222 | 287 grants awarded
$680,494
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$250
median grant
Dubuque, IA
Same state
98%
Excellent match

EIN: 39-1901994 | 348 grants awarded
$650,203
(≈ Similar)
$750
median grant
Ames, IA
Same state
96%
Excellent match

EIN: 26-1613615 | 143 grants awarded
$642,889
(≈ Similar)
$750
median grant
West Des Moines, IA
Same state
96%
Excellent match

EIN: 39-1891969 | 259 grants awarded
$634,355
(≈ Similar)
$250
median grant
Coralville, IA
Same state
95%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for Samuel B O'brien Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 81-4616804
Website N/A
Address 1303 BELL AVE Des Moines, IA 50315-1020

Key People (1)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Samuel B O'brien Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President, Vp, Secretary, Samuel B O'brien

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

This comprehensive foundation profile for Samuel B O'brien Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.