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The Coons Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Coons 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.

$387k
Granted FY2025still arriving
29
Grants FY2025still arriving
5
States reached
$80k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$672kHealth$657kHuman Services$634kEducation$407kReligion$141kCommunity Improvement$57kPublic Benefit$27kAnimals$22kOther$0
02FY2025 · 29 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k18 grants · $70k
  • $10k–50k8 grants · $132k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $185k
$5,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$3.7M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Wesleylife$80,000
Blank's Children's Hospital$55,000
Des Moines Metro Opera$50,000
LeBonheur Children's Hospital$30,000
Living History Farms Foundation$27,000
Individual grant recipient$25,000
St George's Independent School$10,000
Mid-South Soaring Foundation$10,000
Mind & Spirit Counseling Center$10,000
Iowa Public Television Foundation$10,000
Mayo Clinic$10,000
Chariton High School$7,000
Des Moines Playhouse$5,000
Food Bank of Iowa$5,000
UCM Foundation$5,000
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 (FY17–25) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 79% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%Des Moines Metro Opera: $50k → 6%Joshua Christian Academy: $65k → 10%Russell Fire Department: $25k → 16%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $50k → 6%JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: $60k → 10%CITY OF RUSSELL: $17k → 16%St George's Independent School: $15k → 17%THE VILLAGE GOOD SHEPHERD FD: $50k → 6%Joshua Christian Academy: $15k → 10%RUSSELL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT: $15k → 16%Des Moines Metro Opera: $50k → 6%JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: $15k → 10%Des Moines Metro Opera: $50k → 6%Blank's Children's Hospital: $55k → 10%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $50k → 6%BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $55k → 10%LeBonheur Children's Hospital: $30k → 17%Des Moines Metro Opera: $50k → 6%Blank's Children's Hospital: $55k → 10%Des Moines Metro Opera: $50k → 6%Blank'S Children'S Hospital: $55k → 10%DES MOINES METRO OPERA: $27k → 6%BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $55k → 10%Blank's Children's Hospital: $55k → 10%Blank's Children's Hospital: $50k → 10%BLANK'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $45k → 10%BLANK'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $45k → 10%LUCAS COUNTY HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION: $32k → 16%Lucas County Fair Association: $30k → 16%CHARITON SCHOOLS: $28k → 16%CHARITON HIGH SCHOOL: $25k → 16%LUCAS COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION: $25k → 16%CHARITON SCHOOLS: $17k → 16%FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: $13k → 16%FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: $12k → 16%FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: $12k → 16%FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: $12k → 16%HOPE LEARNING (4TH OF JULY COMMITTEE): $12k → 16%WesleyLife: $105k → 10%Wesleylife: $90k → 10%Wesleylife: $80k → 10%Wesleylife: $80k → 10%Wesleylife: $80k → 10%WESLEYLIFE: $76k → 10%WESLEYLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES: $56k → 10%IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION FOUNDATION: $20k → 10%Living History Farms Foundation: $27k → 10%Living History Farms Foundation: $27k → 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.

Which US states its grants reach

MN
IL
IA
PA
NJ
MO
TN
TX
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.

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.4M · 38 repeat orgs$239k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +46% since the first grant, against -5% for those funded once.

38 repeat relationships: 20 still active in FY2025, 18 since wound down; 8 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

38
16

Total granted

$2.4M
$171k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+46%
-5%

Still filing today

42%
25%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 82% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $68k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
EducationArts & CultureHealthCommunity ImprovementFood & NutritionAnimalsOther
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

  • W
    WESLEYLIFE
    6× · 2020–2025 · $511k · revenue +20%
  • DM
    DES MOINES METRO OPERA INC
    9× · 2017–2025 · $379k · revenue +23%
  • JC
    JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INC
    4× · 2018–2022 · $155k · revenue +141%

Funded once

  • TV
    THE VILLAGE GOOD SHEPHERD FD
    one grant, 2017 · $50k
  • LC
    LUCAS COUNTY HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2019 · $32k
  • RV
    RUSSELL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
    one grant, 2017 · $15k
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
Iowa College Foundation

The foundation is organized to further the growth and development of private colleges and universities of higher education in iowa.

—
2
The Foundation for the Iowa City Community School District

The foundation for the iowa city community school district connects the community with our schools to ensure every student has extraordinary learning experiences. together we empower teachers and district staff and inspire students to…

—
3
Iowa Medical Society

Our mission is to advance the practice of medicine through advocacy, education, and engagement with physicians throughout iowa to ensure the highest quality of care for the patients they serve.

—
4
Central Iowa Christian School

Provision of christ centered education with scholastic excellence.

Education
5
Common Good Iowa

Common good iowa engages iowans to create and advocate for research-based public policy that makes life better and more equitable for all who make iowa home.

—
6
Iowa City Hospice Inc

To provide high-quality and compassionate care to community members approaching the end of life.

Human Services
7
University of Iowa Facilities Corporation

The university of iowa facilities corporation acquires and holds property for the benefit and use of the university of iowa.

—
8
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center

To improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

Education
9
Iowa Hospital Association

The iowa hospital association reimagines health care in iowa for life changing outcomes. as the voice and principal advocate for iowa's hospitals, iha provides strategic leadership, resources, and support to ensure its members can…

—
10
Grand View University

Engages, equips and empowers learners to explore their vocations, fulfill their potential and serve the world.

Education
11
State University of Iowa Alumni Association

Our mission is to strengthen the university of iowa through alumni engagement. we do this through our communications, alumni programs, and events.

—
12
Iowa State University Alumni Association

To facilitate the lifetime connection of alumni, students, and friends with iowa state university and each other.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is University of Northern Iowa Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Almost Home Animal Rescue. 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

27 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. 27 of the 63 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)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
26/27
Grantees still filing
18/27
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Blank'S Children'S Hospital: $360,000 · OtherBlank'S Children'S HospitalBLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $110,000 · OtherBLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITALIOWA PBS FOUNDATION: $94,000 · OtherIOWA PBS FOUNDATIONWESLEYLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES: $66,000 · OtherCHARITON SCHOOLS: $57,600 · OtherTHE VILLAGE GOOD SHEPHERD FD: $50,000 · OtherFIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: $50,000 · Other+33 more: $488,330 · Other+33 moreWESLEYLIFE: $511,000 · HealthWESLEYLIFEMAYO CLINIC: $60,000 · HealthMAYO CLINICHELPHOPELIVE INC: $30,000 · Health+2 more: $8,000 · HealthDES MOINES METRO OPERA INC: $379,000 · Arts & CultureDES MOINES METRO OPE…LIVING HISTORY FARMS FOUNDATION: $68,000 · Arts & CultureLIVING HISTORY FARMS…DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION: $27,000 · Arts & CultureDES MOINES SYMPHONY …+2 more: $16,000 · Arts & CultureJOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INC: $155,000 · EducationJOSHUA CH…ST GEORGE'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL: $30,000 · EducationST GEORGE…CORAM DEO ACADEMY: $15,000 · EducationCORAM DEO…WILLIAM WOODS UNIVERSITY: $12,000 · Education+3 more: $15,000 · Education+3 moreLucas County Fair Association: $56,500 · Community ImprovementDES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS: $34,000 · Community ImprovementALMOST HOME ANIMAL RESCUE: $22,000 · AnimalsFOOD BANK OF IOWA: $5,000 · Food & NutritionNUTRITIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC: $3,000 · Food & NutritionDOROTHY DAY HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY: $5,000 · Housing & Shelter
Other$1,275,930Health$609,000Arts & Culture$490,000Education$227,000Community Improvement$90,500Animals$22,000Food & Nutrition$8,000Housing & Shelter$5,000

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetWESLEYLIFE: $511,000 over 6y, 1.0% of budgetDES MOINES METRO OPERA INC: $379,000 over 9y, 1.6% of budgetJOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INC: $155,000 over 4y, 6.4% of budgetIOWA PBS FOUNDATION: $94,000 over 9y, 0.2% of budgetLIVING HISTORY FARMS FOUNDATION: $68,000 over 9y, 0.8% of budgetMAYO CLINIC: $60,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetLucas County Fair Association: $56,500 over 3y, 15% of budgetDES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS: $34,000 over 9y, 0.1% of budgetST GEORGE'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL: $30,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetHELPHOPELIVE INC: $30,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetDES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION: $27,000 over 9y, 0.1% of budgetALMOST HOME ANIMAL RESCUE: $22,000 over 8y, 8.8% of budgetINTERCHURCH COUNCIL OF LUCAS COUNTY IOWA INC: $18,000 over 6y, 4.4% of budgetCORAM DEO ACADEMY: $15,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetWILLIAM WOODS UNIVERSITY: $12,000 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetLUCAS COUNTY PRESERVATION ALLIANCE: $10,000 over 1y, 21% of budgetSCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA: $6,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetChildrens Oncology Services Inc: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetIOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFOOD BANK OF IOWA: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNUTRITIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC: $3,000 over 3y, 0.6% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $3,000 over 1y, 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 WESLEYLIFE ↗
  • Who funds DES MOINES METRO OPERA INC ↗
  • Who funds JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INC ↗
  • Who funds IOWA PBS FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds LIVING HISTORY FARMS FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds MAYO CLINIC ↗
  • Who funds Lucas County Fair Association ↗
  • Who funds DES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS ↗
  • Who funds ST GEORGE'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds HELPHOPELIVE INC ↗
  • Who funds DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION ↗
  • Who funds ALMOST HOME ANIMAL RESCUE ↗
  • Who funds INTERCHURCH COUNCIL OF LUCAS COUNTY IOWA INC ↗
  • Who funds CORAM DEO ACADEMY ↗
  • Who funds WILLIAM WOODS UNIVERSITY ↗
  • Who funds MIND AND SPIRIT COUNSELING CENTER ↗
  • Who funds LUCAS COUNTY PRESERVATION ALLIANCE ↗

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.

Community Fdn of Grea…The Vredenburg Founda…Meredith Corporation …Fred Maytag Family Fo…Bookey Family Foundat…EMC Insurance Foundat…Prairie Meadows Race …Helen J and Thomas Ne…William C Knapp Chari…Mary K and Daniel M K…The Merchants Bonding…Henry G & Norma Peter…
Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/A Greater Des Moines Community FdnIA27.1× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/A Greater Des Moines Community Fdn · The Vredenburg Foundation · Meredith Corporation Foundation · Fred Maytag Family Foundation · Bookey Family Foundation · EMC Insurance Foundation · Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino Inc · Helen J and Thomas Nelson Urban Sr Charitable Foundation III · William C Knapp Charitable Fdn · Mary K and Daniel M Kelly Family Foundation C/O Dan Kelly · The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation · Henry G & Norma Peterson Charitable Tr

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 The Coons Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Coons Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%4%8%11%15%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–15%
    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 63 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 Coons’ 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