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Samuel B O'Brien Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Samuel B O'Brien Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$41k
Granted FY2025still arriving
14
Grants FY2025still arriving
4
States reached
$30k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Recreation & Sports$111kArts & Culture$76kEnvironment$25kEducation$20kAnimals$9kInternational$4kFood & Nutrition$500Human Services$150
02FY2025 · 14 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k13 grants · $11k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $30k
$300
Median grant
4
States reached
$465k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK$30,000
IOWA GREAT LAKES FOUNDATION$6,000
SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL$1,050
HERITAGE CAROUSEL OF DES MOINES$1,000
DES MOINES METRO OPERA$1,000
MILL REEF FUND$500
U OF OKOBOJI JUNIOR TENNIS$300
BRENTON ARBORETUM$256
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE$225
DES MOINES ART CENTER$140
DES MOINES BOTANICAL CENTER$125
IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION$100
PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER$75
LEWIS AND CLARK COLLEGE$50
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY19–25) land where the poverty rate runs at 8%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 21% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $5k → 11%DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY: $5k → 11%BRENTON ARBORETUM: $5k → 5%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $24k → 6%HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK: $37k → 7%UNIVERISTY OF IOWA: $5k → 15%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $3k → 11%BRENTON ARBORETUM: $756 → 5%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $17k → 6%HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK: $35k → 7%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $3k → 11%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $10k → 6%HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK: $30k → 7%IOWA GREAT LAKES FOUNDATION: $6k → 10%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $1k → 11%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $9k → 6%DICKINSON COUNTY TRAILS BOARD: $4k → 7%IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $5k → 10%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $1k → 11%SIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $2k → 6%THE PARK FOUNDATION - ARNOLDS PARK IA: $2k → 7%IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $2k → 10%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $1k → 11%SIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $2k → 6%DICKINSON COUNTY TRAILS BOARD: $2k → 7%IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $1k → 10%SHATTUCK ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $500 → 11%SIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $2k → 6%DICKINSON COUNTY TRAILS BOARD: $500 → 7%DES MOINES BOTANICAL CENTER: $1k → 10%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $1k → 6%U OF OKOBOJI JUNIOR TENNIS: $300 → 7%IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $1k → 10%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $1k → 6%PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER: $300 → 7%DES MOINES BOTANICAL CENTER: $500 → 10%SIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $1k → 6%DES MOINES BOTANICAL CENTER: $500 → 10%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $1k → 6%SIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $1k → 6%SIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $1k → 6%FRIENDS OF THE DES MOINES PARKS: $500 → 10%ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE: $500 → 10%ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE: $500 → 10%BLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION: $550 → 10%BLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION: $500 → 10%FOOD BANK OF IOWA: $500 → 10%TRHS FOUNDATION - ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL: $1k → 10%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

94%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$230k · 18 repeat orgs$16k to everyone else

18 repeat relationships: 12 still active in FY2025, 6 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

18
5

Total granted

$230k
$9k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+31%
+42%

Still filing today

67%
20%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 85% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $6k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationEnvironmentAnimalsPhilanthropyFood & NutritionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • DM
    DES MOINES METRO OPERA INC
    7× · 2019–2025 · $63k · revenue +83%
  • SM
    SHATTUCK-ST MARY'S SCHOOL
    7× · 2019–2025 · $14k · revenue +13%
  • IN
    IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION
    7× · 2019–2025 · $9k · revenue +80%

Funded once

  • SU
    State University of Iowa
    one grant, 2019 · $5k
  • TP
    THE PARK FOUNDATION - ARNOLDS PARK IA
    one grant, 2019 · $2k
  • TF
    TRHS FOUNDATION - ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL
    one grant, 2020 · $1k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Inc

Organization's mission statement true to the ambitious vision of its founder and her spirit of creative risk-taking, the mission of the isabella stewart gardner museum is: - to bring to life and preserve the rich historic collection; - to…

Arts & Culture
2
Iowa Parks Foundation

Cultivate stewardship through environmental education and research, advocate for adequate funding of park programs and infrasturcture improvements, increase park users and improve the quality of vistor experiences in iowa parks.

—
3
Iowa Parks and Recreation Assoc

To assist members in the development of their careers and to support lasting parks and recreation systems.

—
4
Bartlett Arboretum Association Inc

To cultivate and develop an expansive collection of trees, gardens, and plants for all to explore, enjoy and study; and to provide through education and stewardship, a greener, healthier, more beautiful environment.

Environment
5
Idaho Conservation League Inc

Icl's mission is to create a conservation community and pragmatic, enduring solutions that protect and restore the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the land and wildlife you love.

—
6
The Trustees of Grinnell College

To educate students in the liberal arts through free inquiry and the open exchange of ideas.when grinnell college framed its charter in the iowa territory of the united states in 1846, it set forth a mission to educate its students "for…

Education
7
Iowa State University Foundation

Aligning donor passion and generosity to advance iowa state university's land grant ideals.

Education
8
Dubuque Arboretum Association Inc

To become a cherished destination for all, where vibrant gardens create transformative experiences that connect people, inspire learning, and deepen appreciation for nature.

Environment
9
Denver Zoological Foundation

Inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations.

Animals
10
Oregon Agricultural Trust

Oregon agricultural trust partners with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of oregons economy, communities, and landscapes.

Environment
11
The Izaak Walton League of America

To conserve, restore and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, water and wildlife.

Environment
12
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Inc

We harness the power of plants for humankind and share the joy and beauty of tropical gardening with everyone. fairchild tropical botanic garden is a museum of tropical plants within a world famous, 83-acre designed landscape. it was…

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Lewis & Clark College. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

14 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 14 of the 25 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
14/14
Grantees still filing
12/14
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK INC: $101,750 · Arts & CultureHISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK INCDES MOINES METRO OPERA INC: $63,301 · Arts & CultureDES MOINES METRO OPERA INCBRENTON ARBORETUM INC: $6,825 · Arts & Culture+2 more: $2,095 · Arts & CultureSIMPSON COLLEGE - IOWA HISTORY CENTER: $9,000 · OtherSIMPSON COLLEG…DICKINSON COUNTY TRAILS BOARD: $6,250 · OtherDICKINSON COUN…State University of Iowa: $5,000 · OtherState Universi…DES MOINES BOTANICAL CENTER: $2,475 · OtherDES MOINES BOT…THE PARK FOUNDATION - ARNOLDS PARK IA: $2,400 · OtherTHE PARK FOUND…ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE: $1,975 · OtherANIMAL RESCUE …HERITAGE CAROUSEL OF DES MOINES: $1,769 · OtherHERITAGE CAROU…+5 more: $2,075 · Other+5 moreIOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $9,340 · EnvironmentIOWA GREAT LAKES FOUNDATION: $6,000 · EnvironmentSHATTUCK-ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $13,950 · Education+1 more: $300 · EducationDING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY INC: $5,250 · AnimalsBLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION INC: $1,600 · AnimalsMILL REEF FUND: $3,500 · PhilanthropyFOOD BANK OF IOWA: $500 · Food & Nutrition
Arts & Culture$173,971Other$30,944Environment$15,340Education$14,250Animals$6,850Philanthropy$3,500Food & Nutrition$500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetHISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK INC: $101,750 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetDES MOINES METRO OPERA INC: $63,301 over 7y, 0.8% of budgetSHATTUCK-ST MARY'S SCHOOL: $13,950 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetIOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $9,340 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetBRENTON ARBORETUM INC: $6,825 over 7y, 0.4% of budgetDING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY INC: $5,250 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMILL REEF FUND: $3,500 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetBLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION INC: $1,600 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetEdmundson Art Foundation Inc: $1,170 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetPEARSON LAKES ART CENTER: $925 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetFOOD BANK OF IOWA: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE: $300 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPACIFIC CREST TRAIL ASSOCIATION: $125 over 2y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds HISTORIC ARNOLDS PARK INC ↗
  • Who funds DES MOINES METRO OPERA INC ↗
  • Who funds SHATTUCK-ST MARY'S SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds BRENTON ARBORETUM INC ↗
  • Who funds IOWA GREAT LAKES FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY INC ↗
  • Who funds MILL REEF FUND ↗
  • Who funds BLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds Edmundson Art Foundation Inc ↗
  • Who funds PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER ↗
  • Who funds FOOD BANK OF IOWA ↗
  • Who funds LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE ↗
  • Who funds PACIFIC CREST TRAIL ASSOCIATION ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Windsor Charitable Fo…Brenton FoundationKrause Gentle Foundat…Meredith Corporation …The Blackbaud Giving …National Philanthropi…Donor Advised Charita…The Bank of America C…American Online Givin…Vanguard Charitable E…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Windsor Charitable FoundationIA13.6× affinity4 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Windsor Charitable Foundation · Brenton Foundation · Krause Gentle Foundation · Meredith Corporation Foundation · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · National Philanthropic Trust · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Samuel B O'Brien Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Samuel B O'Brien Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →median 2%
  • Lewis & Clark College: 2% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
2report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 25 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Samuel B O'Brien’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home