The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In tax year 2025 it gave $437,972 in 27 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $75,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$437,972
- Number of grants27
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$75,000
- Assets$9.4 million
- New grantees35%
Giving in 2025 was up from $375,971 the year before.
35% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $405,379 | 26 | $8.2 million |
| 2024 | $375,971 | 23 | $8.9 million |
| 2025 | $437,972 | 27 | $9.4 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Maureen Merrill PO Box 1557, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (515) 573-2154 |
| What to submit | Initial contact by telephone requesting a grant application form to be completed. Must request a specific dollar amount. Further information may be required if directors wish to consider the request in detail. |
| Restrictions | At this time, the directors make grants which carry out the grantor's gifting programs established during her lifeime. Grants are limited to recognized charitable groups in webster county Iowa which carry out scientific, educational, and charitable activities. |
What The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Iowa.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 26 | $407,972 |
| California | 1 | $30,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Dodge | Oakland cemetery improvement project | $75,000 |
| Hawkeye Community Theatre | 2025 season and resurfacing the parking lot | $39,000 |
| United Way Community Foundation | 2025-2026 campaign | $35,000 |
| FD Senior High Band Boosters | New band instruments; drumline replacement | $30,000 |
| Cinematography for Actors Institute | "a country dog" short film | $30,000 |
| Comedia Musica Players | "something rotten" production | $25,000 |
| Fort Dodge Public Library Foundation | Collection development project | $25,000 |
| FD CSD Senior High Choir Boosters | Middle school auditorium projection; lighting control & fdms auditorium | $20,150 |
| Fort Dodge Historical Society | Frontier days | $20,000 |
| Blanden Charitable Foundation | Blanden art festival; blanden programming; lifeworks art therapy | $19,000 |
| Dayton Public Library | Collection development | $14,600 |
| Preserve Fort Dodge Inc | Sacred heart drainage mitigation project | $13,248 |
| FD Community Foundation | Lost grove community center project; book call spotflight | $12,250 |
| Afes | Afes summer & after school program | $10,000 |
| Fort Dodge Choral Society | "beauty of the earth" concert; march 2026 concert | $9,076 |
| Badger Lake Dragon Boat Association | Badger lake dragon boat bash | $9,000 |
| Iowa Central Community College | Afro-latino festival; native american heritage month celebration | $8,500 |
| Harcourt Public Library | Collection development | $8,200 |
| Southeast Valley Community Schools | Purchase a yamaha tuba | $8,099 |
| Badger Public Library | Replace office equipment and patron electronics | $7,247 |
| Individual | 2025-2026 season | $6,500 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa | Community troop programs for fd girl scouts | $3,550 |
| FDSH Speech and Drama Boosters | Fall play | $3,000 |
| Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association | Annual avey grouws bank w/ronley king blues band concert | $3,000 |
| Community Early Childhood Center | Updating classrooms | $2,000 |
| Clare Public Library | Summer reading program | $1,100 |
| Saint Edmond Catholic School | North central conference art show and workshop | $452 |
Officers and trustees
- Peg Trevino
- Maureen Merrill
- Rhonda Chambers
- Kyle Sande
- Jennifer Condon
- Megan Secor
- Carissa Harvey
Questions people ask
Does The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation give?
$437,972 in tax year 2025, across 27 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Peg Trevino (Director), Maureen Merrill (Secretary), Rhonda Chambers (Director) and Kyle Sande (President) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and seniors.