EMC Insurance Foundation
Accepts applications
EMC Insurance Foundation is a private foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.5 million in 108 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $166,500. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.5 million
- Number of grants108
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$166,500
- Assets$32.3 million
- New grantees12%
Giving in 2025 was down from $1.5 million the year before.
12% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5 million | 126 | $6.4 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million | 106 | $21.7 million |
| 2025 | $1.5 million | 108 | $32.3 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Sarah Buckley PO Box 712, Des Moines, IA 50306-0712 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (515) 345-4588 |
| What to submit | The following information should be provided: 1.Intended use of funds, 2.Verification of IRS 501(c)(3) status, 3.List of major donors |
| Restrictions | Generally only Iowa-based charitable organizations are funded |
What EMC Insurance Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 38 states, the most to Iowa.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 64 | $1.4 million |
| Delaware | 3 | $50,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $35,000 |
| Kansas | 2 | $8,973 |
| Texas | 2 | $7,396 |
| Idaho | 1 | $5,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $4,128 |
| Arizona | 1 | $3,952 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $3,781 |
| Missouri | 1 | $3,305 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Orchard Place | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $166,500 |
| United Way of Central Iowa | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $160,498 |
| Des Moines Performing Arts | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $125,000 |
| Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $66,666 |
| Blank Park Zoo | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| ChildServe Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| Iowa State University Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| On With Life Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $50,000 |
| Homes of Oakridge Human Services | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $40,000 |
| Autism Society of America | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $35,000 |
| Des Moines Area Religious Council | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $30,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $29,933 |
| Ellipsis | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,950 |
| By Degrees Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Des Moines Symphony Association | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Great Outdoors Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Hope Ministries | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Salisbury House Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $25,000 |
| Iowa College Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $22,000 |
| Children and Families of Iowa | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $20,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $18,904 |
| Food Bank of Iowa | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $15,000 |
| Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $15,000 |
| Living History Farms Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $15,000 |
| Above & Beyond Cancer Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| CultureAll Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| Drake University | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| Edmundson Art Foundation Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| James B Morris Scholarship Fund Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| Polk County Housing Trust Fund | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| WesleyLife Community Services Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $10,000 |
| American Lung Association | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $7,500 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $7,500 |
| Iowa Jag Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $7,500 |
| Iowa Legal Aid Foundation | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $7,500 |
| Junior Achievement of Central Iowa Inc | For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization | $7,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Scott Jean
- Sarah Buckley
- Ron Herman
- Nicole Hansman
- Doug Van Zanten
- Jennifer Rhoads
- Sharon Cooper
- David J W Proctor
- Bruce Kelley
Questions people ask
Does EMC Insurance Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does EMC Insurance Foundation give?
$1.5 million in tax year 2025, across 108 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs EMC Insurance Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Scott Jean (Chairman), Sarah Buckley (Executive Director), Ron Herman (Treasurer) and Nicole Hansman (Treasurer) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does EMC Insurance Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly human services, arts and culture and environment and conservation.