John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation
Forest City, IA · EIN 42-1343843. Reported 130 grants totalling $17.0M to 102 recipients across tax years 2020-2024. 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. John K and Luise V Hanson 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 $9,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $20,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $4,045,070. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| See Attached Statement 3 | Various, IA | $13.9M | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc | Forest City, IA | $1,155,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Forest City Education Foundation | Forest City, IA | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum | Decorah, IA | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Forest City | Forest City, IA | $130,000 | 6 | 1 | 2024 |
| United States Sailing Center of Martin County Inc | Jensen Beach, FL | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Forest City Family YMCA | Forest City, IA | $75,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hancock County Economic Development Corporation | Garner, IA | $62,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Blooming Prairie | Blooming Prairie, MN | $50,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clear Lake Community School Foundation Inc | Clear Lake, IA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clear Lake Development Foundation | Clear Lake, IA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Temple Grandin School | Boulder, CO | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| T L C Broadcasting Corporation | Mason City, IA | $47,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Family Center | Lake Mills, IA | $41,500 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Clear Lake | Clear Lake, IA | $34,000 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| Blue Stars Performing Arts for Youth Inc | La Crosse, WI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Hayfield | Hayfield, MN | $30,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Garner Community Christian Child Care | Garner, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Winnebago County | Forest City, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Winnebago Historical Society | Forest City, IA | $30,000 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| Austin Area Arts | Austin, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Buffalo Center | Buffalo Center, IA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Groundwire Inc | Chicopee, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Neighborhood Food Bank | Forest City, IA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| South Central Minnesota Youth for Christ Inc | Albert Lea, MN | $25,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hayfield Community School | Garner, IA | $24,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mantorville Restoration Association | Mantorville, MN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Seattle Festival Orchestra | Seattle, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| North Iowa Area Community College Foundation | Mason City, IA | $17,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Blooming Prairie Youth Club | Blooming Prairie, MN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Area Ministerial Association | Lake Mills, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Community School | Lake Mills, IA | $15,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| United to Serve With Passion and Purpose | Clear Lake, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Westcare Foundation Inc | Las Vagas, NV | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Riceville | Riceville, IA | $13,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Foundation for Community Improvements Inc | Lake Mills, IA | $13,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Firefighters Association | Lake Mills, IA | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kum Along Citizens Club Inc | Forest City, IA | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Build a Better Belmond | Belmond, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Central Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue | Ankeny, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clear Lake United Methodist Church Foundation | Houston, TX | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Friends of Bear Creek Inc | Houston, TX | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Garner Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Garner, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa | Urbandale, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hope 4 Women International | Forest City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Area Historical Society | Lake Mills, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mason City Family YMCA | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mercy Medical Center Foundation North Iowa | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mower County Agricultural Society | Austin, MN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sheffield Betterment Foundation Corporation | Sheffield, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Stebens Childrens Theatre | Mason City, IA | $10,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Swea City Improvement League | Swea City, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Winnebago County Fair Association | Thompson, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Youth and Shelter Services Foundation Inc | Ames, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Dodge Center | Dodge Center, MN | $9,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Garner Hayfield Community School | Garner, IA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Greater Iowa Youth for Christ | Mason City, IA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Charles City Arts Council | Charles City, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Belmond Area Arts Council | Belmond, IA | $7,400 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Crystal Lake | Crystal Lake, IL | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mason City Community School District | Mason City, IA | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Childrens Cancer Connection | Johnston, IA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Colts Corner Daycare Center | Belmond, IA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Ventura | Ventura, IA | $5,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Alano Society of Clear Lake Inc | Clear Lake, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Brickstreet Theatre Inc | Forest City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Confluence Ministries | Denver, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Crazy Love Africa | Denver, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Disabled American Veterans | Erlanger, KY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Duncan Heights Inc | Garner, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Eagle Projects International | Sangerville, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Infaith-for Riding Light Infaith Buffalo Center Ia | Rake, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Entertainment Inc | Lake Mills, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mrom | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| N-Compass Inc | Marion, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom | Garner, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| North Iowa Band Festival Foundation | Mason City, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| One Vision | Clear Lake, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Afs Intercultural Programs Inc | New York, NY | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clear Lake Arts Council | Clear Lake, IA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gopher Hawkeye Power Assn Inc | Kiester, MN | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mollies Mission | Nora Springs, IA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Community Kitchen of North Iowa | Mason City, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fertile Public Library | Fertile, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Forest City Rotary Club Charitable Trust | Forest City, IA | $3,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Garner Community Center Inc | Garner, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lake Mills Scholarship Foundation | Lake Mills, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Macnider Art Museum Foundation | Mason City, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Winnebago County Attorney's Office | Forest City, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Belmond Historical Society | Belmond, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grace Church | Des Moines, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Inc | Waterloo, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kids and Families in Need | Clear Lake, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Living History Farms Foundation | Des Moines, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| North Iowa Transition & Employment Services | Mason City, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Floyd County Historical Society Museum | Floyd, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Thompson Fire Department | Thompson, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lakota Public Library | Lakota, IA | $1,800 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | $1,700 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Caring Pregnancy Center | Mason City, IA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mukilteo Community Chamber Orchestra | Everett, WA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
1 of 102 (1%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
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.
- Forest City Education Foundation
ANNUAL FUNDING - SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT 2024 - Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
VESTERHEIM COMMONS, THE INSPIRING COMMUNITY SPACE - Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc
BOMAN FINE ARTS IMPROVEMENTS - Clear Lake Development Foundation
ROOFTOP PATIO NAMING RIGHTS - Hancock County Economic Development Corporation
CHILDCARE ALLIANCE - WAGE SUPPORT INITIATIVE - T L C Broadcasting Corporation
POWER AND EQUIPMENT UPGRADE
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 66 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | $3,014,800 | $3,014,800 |
| 2021 | 1 | $3,398,050 | $3,398,050 |
| 2022 | 1 | $3,469,800 | $3,469,800 |
| 2023 | 1 | $4,045,070 | $4,045,070 |
| 2024 | 126 | $3,095,900 | $9,000 |
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.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation has 7 of them, worth $17.8M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| See Attached Statement 4 | Various, IA | $5,633,500 |
| See Attached Statement 4 | Various, IA | $4,400,000 |
| See Attached Statement 4 | Various, IA | $3,295,000 |
| Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc | Forest City, IA | $2,200,000 |
| See Attached Statement 4 | Various, IA | $1,480,000 |
| Forest City Education Foundation | Forest City, IA | $400,000 |
| Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum | Decorah, IA | $400,000 |
Where its money goes
97% of its giving went to organizations in Iowa. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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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 $9,500. 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 John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). 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: Po Box 450, Forest City, IA, 50436. 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 42-1343843 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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