Farrer Endowment Foundation
Mason City, IA · EIN 42-1214699. Reported 194 grants totalling $1,613,550 to 90 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Farrer Endowment Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $3,000 and $10,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $40,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth and Shelter Services | Mason City, IA | $184,900 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| North Iowa Community Action | Mason City, IA | $155,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Niacc Foundation | Mason City, IA | $150,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Mercy One North Iowa Foundation | Mason City, IA | $84,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| 43 North Iowa | Mason City, IA | $61,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Caring Pregnancy Center Inc | Mason City, IA | $45,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa | Mason City, IA | $41,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| One Vision | Clear Lake, IA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| West Fork Community School District | Sheffield, IA | $35,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Niad Center for Human Dev | Mason City, IA | $34,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Clear Lake Development Foundation | Clear Lake, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mercy Medical Center Fdn | Mason City, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Community Kitchen N I | Mason City, IA | $26,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Elderbridge Agency on Aging | Mason City, IA | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Iowa Legal Aid | Mason City, IA | $25,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Lutheran Services in Iowa Inc | Des Moines, IA | $25,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Apple Daycare Inc | Sheffield, IA | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mason City Family YMCA | Mason City, IA | $21,900 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Central Gardens of North Iowa Inc | Clear Lake, IA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mercy Medical Center Foundation North Iowa | Mason City, IA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa | Mason City, IA | $19,700 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Meals on Wheels | Mason City, IA | $19,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mason City Foundation | Mason City, IA | $16,800 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Cedar Valley Seminary Fdn | Osage, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| North Central Ia Ag in the Class Program | Garner, IA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Tlc Broadcasting Corporation | Mason City, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| North Iowa Youth for Christ Inc | Mason City, IA | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Winnebago Historical Society | Forest City, IA | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| City of Rockwell | Rockwell, IA | $13,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| City of Garner | Garner, IA | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City of Swaledale | Sawledale, IA | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Mason City Community School District | Mason City, IA | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northern Lights Alliance for the Homeless Inc | Mason City, IA | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| River City Society for Historic Preservation | Mason City, IA | $10,550 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| City of Rudd Library | Rudd, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Colts Daycare Ctr | Sheffield, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Community Health Center of Fort Dodge Inc | Fort Dodge, IA | $10,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Garner Community Christian Child Care | Garner, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mason City Community S D | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Newman Catholic School System | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northern Lights | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rockwell Swaledale Emt Team | Rockwell, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rockwell-Swaledale Emt Inc | Rockwell, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tlc Broadcasting Corrporation | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United Way of North Cental Iowa | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wright on the Park Inc | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mason City Public Library Fdn | Mason City, IA | $8,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Community Kitchen of North Iowa | Mason City, IA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hancock County Agricultural Museum | Britt, IA | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| North Iowa Christian School Inc | Mason City, IA | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| North Iowa Band Festival Foundation | Mason City, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| United Way of North Central Iowa | Mason City, IA | $7,300 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Charlie Brown Preschool | Mason City, IA | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mason City Chamber of Commerce Fdn | Mason City, IA | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Niad Center for Human Development | Mason City, IA | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Floyd County Historical Society | Charles City, IA | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Rockwell Community Fire Service | Rockwell, IA | $6,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mohawk Archery Club | Mason City, IA | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Build a Better Belmond | Belmond, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Charlie Brown Community Daycare Center | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Christmas Cheer Fund Inc | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| City of Swaledale Fire Dept | Sawledale, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Freedom Inn His Grace Ministry | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Iowa Ag in the Classroom | Garner, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Meals on Wheels of Mason City Inc | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mrom Inc | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom | Garner, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| North Iowa Band Festival Fd | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| North Iowa Southern Minnesota Veteran Stand Down | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| River City Sculptures on Parade Inc | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Rockwell Comm Fire Services | Rockwell, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Stebens Children's Theatre | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Stebens Childrens Theatre | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars 0733 | Rockwell, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Winnebago Council Boy Scouts | Waterloo, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Winnebago County Conservation Fdn | Forest City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Newman Catholic Schools | Mason City, IA | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cedar Valley Friends of the Family | Waterloo, IA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| City of Mason City | Mason City, IA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Clear Lake Arts Council | Clear Lake, IA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Four Oaks Family Services | Cedar Rapids, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mollies Mission | Nora Springs, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| City of Sheffield Library | Sheffield, IA | $2,800 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| City of Clarksville | Clarksville, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Central Springs Community School District | Manly, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| City of Corwith | Corwith, IA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Forest City Enhancement Comm | Forest City, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mohawk Archery | Mason City, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Quilts of Valor | Clear Lake, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City of Sheffield | Sheffield, IA | $1,600 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
41 of 90 (46%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 60%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Youth and Shelter Services
CONTINUING EDUCATIONSTAFF DEVELOPMENT - Niacc Foundation
NURSINGADVANCEMENTSFARRER SCHOLARSHIP - North Iowa Community Action
SUPPORT SELFSUFFICIENCY PROGRAM - Mercy Medical Center Fdn
UPGRADE RADIATIONTREATMENT DEVICES - 43 North Iowa
PELLET AUTOMATIONAND BLDG UPGRADES - Caring Pregnancy Center Inc
PURCHASE ULTRASOUNDMACHINE
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 70 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41 | $354,450 | $5,000 |
| 2022 | 37 | $288,200 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 40 | $323,000 | $5,000 |
| 2024 | 37 | $305,900 | $5,000 |
| 2025 | 39 | $342,000 | $5,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Iowa.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Farrer Endowment Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: P O Box 1567, Mason City, IA, 50402. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 42-1214699 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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