Well Told Grants

Foundations / Iowa

John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation

Accepts applications Forest City, Iowa · EIN 421343843

John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation is a private foundation in Forest City, Iowa. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.1 million in 126 grants; the typical grant was $9,000 and the largest $1.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was down from $4.0 million the year before.

100% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2022$3.5 million1$63.2 million
2023$4.0 million1$65.5 million
2024$3.1 million126$66.8 million

How to apply

ContactCraig Braget Foundation Secretary T
PO Box 450, Forest City, IA 50436-0450
Phone or email(641) 582-2825, cbraget@mbtbank.bank
What to submitPlease visit the foundation's website at https://www.hansonfoundation.org/how-to-apply/ for full application details. Applications must include a completed application cover sheet (available on the foundation's website), along with a project budget and a condensed current financial statement.
DeadlinesApplication "received by" deadlines: march 1, june 1, september 1, and december 1.
RestrictionsGrants are awarded only to organizations that are tax-exempt under irc section 501(c)(3) and not classified as private foundations under section 509(a), or to government entities. The foundation primarily serves north central Iowa and south central Minnesota, with most grants supporting organizations in forest city. Preference is given to projects that leverage matching funds or use foundation support to catalyze additional fundraising. Requests outside these areas may be considered if they align with the foundation's mission to strengthen communities.

As written in the foundation's IRS filing for tax year 2024. Details may have changed since.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Iowa.

StateGrantsAmount
Iowa97$2.6 million
Minnesota13$193,000
Florida1$100,000
Colorado3$60,000
Wisconsin1$30,000
Massachusetts1$25,000
Washington2$21,000
Texas2$20,000
Nevada1$15,000
Illinois1$7,000

Grants paid in 2024

The 40 largest of 126 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc
Forest City, IA
General operating support$1.0 million
Forest City Education Foundation
Forest City, IA
Annual funding - senior awards night 2024$200,000
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Decorah, IA
Vesterheim commons, the inspiring community space$200,000
Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Inc
Forest City, IA
Boman fine arts improvements$130,000
United States Sailing Center of Martin County Inc
Jensen Beach, FL
General operating support$100,000
City of Forest City
Forest City, IA
Taxilane upgrades$59,000
Clear Lake Community School Foundation Inc
Clear Lake, IA
Performing arts center$50,000
Clear Lake Development Foundation
Clear Lake, IA
Rooftop patio naming rights$50,000
Hancock County Economic Development Corporation
Garner, IA
Childcare alliance - wage support initiative$50,000
Temple Grandin School
Boulder, CO
General operating support$50,000
Forest City Family YMCA
Forest City, IA
Childcare support$45,000
T L C Broadcasting Corporation
Mason City, IA
Power and equipment upgrade$37,500
City of Forest City
Forest City, IA
Improvement and growth of forest city$32,000
Blue Stars Performing Arts for Youth Inc
La Crosse, WI
Spring training camp at forest city$30,000
City of Blooming Prairie
Blooming Prairie, MN
Central park revitalization project$30,000
Forest City Family YMCA
Forest City, IA
All for a better us$30,000
Garner Community Christian Child Care
Garner, IA
Vision for expansion$30,000
Lake Mills Family Center
Lake Mills, IA
Childcare program$30,000
Winnebago County
Forest City, IA
Union soldier fountain recast$30,000
Austin Area Arts
Austin, MN
Paramount theatre renovation$25,000
City of Buffalo Center
Buffalo Center, IA
Pool replaster project$25,000
City of Clear Lake
Clear Lake, IA
Pickleball shelter$25,000
Groundwire Inc
Chicopee, MA
General operating support$25,000
Neighborhood Food Bank
Forest City, IA
Food purchases$25,000
City of Blooming Prairie
Blooming Prairie, MN
Pickleball court project$20,000
City of Forest City
Forest City, IA
Ragbrai lii entertainment$20,000
City of Hayfield
Hayfield, MN
City playground$20,000
Mantorville Restoration Association
Mantorville, MN
Opera roof$20,000
Seattle Festival Orchestra
Seattle, WA
General operating support$20,000
South Central Minnesota Youth for Christ Inc
Albert Lea, MN
Arts and character building project$20,000
Blooming Prairie Youth Club
Blooming Prairie, MN
Safety and security upgrades$15,000
City of Forest City
Forest City, IA
Puckerbrush days$15,000
Hayfield Community School
Garner, IA
Softball field update/renovation$15,000
Lake Mills Area Ministerial Association
Lake Mills, IA
Food and personal care products$15,000
United to Serve With Passion and Purpose
Clear Lake, IA
Bash at the lake music festival$15,000
Westcare Foundation Inc
Las Vagas, NV
Veteran's food pantry$15,000
Winnebago Historical Society
Forest City, IA
Salary assistance$15,000
City of Riceville
Riceville, IA
Elf shop$13,000
Hancock County Economic Development Corporation
Garner, IA
2025 initiatives$12,500
Lake Mills Firefighters Association
Lake Mills, IA
Sign - department and community$12,500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation accept grant applications?

Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Application "received by" deadlines: march 1, june 1, september 1, and december 1.

How much does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation give?

$3.1 million in tax year 2024, across 126 grants, with a typical grant of $9,000.

Who runs John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists John V Hanson (Director, President), Gregory Boman (Director), Mary Jo Boman (Director) and Janet Coe (Director) among 8 officers and trustees.

What does John K and Luise V Hanson Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and arts and culture.

Similar foundations in Iowa