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Foundations / Iowa

Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund

Accepts applications Algona, Iowa · EIN 366028029

Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund is a private foundation in Algona, Iowa. In tax year 2025 it gave $359,756 in 25 grants; the typical grant was $5,758 and the largest $78,116. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $299,680 the year before.

40% of its 2025 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
2023$291,64116$6.9 million
2024$299,68022$7.8 million
2025$359,75625$7.8 million

How to apply

ContactThompson Scholarship Selection Comm
600 South Hale, Algona, IA 50511
Phone or email(515) 295-7207, jcarter@algona.k12.ia.us
What to submitResume or biographical sheet, two recommendations, a transcript of high school work, and a student aid report
DeadlinesFirst week in april each year
RestrictionsScholarship money only to algona high school graduates working to obtain a higher education at colleges or universities in Iowa.

As written in the foundation's IRS filing for tax year 2025. Details may have changed since.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund funds

Where it gives

All of its grants went to recipients in Iowa.

StateGrantsAmount
Iowa25$360,014

Grants paid in 2025

All 25 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Iowa Lakes Community College
Esterville, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$78,116
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$64,316
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$33,904
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$28,468
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$24,660
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$24,144
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Davenport, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$11,516
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$10,936
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$10,098
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$7,896
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$6,988
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$6,666
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,758
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,758
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,758
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,758
Luther College
Decorah, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,758
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,178
Universal Kutz Barbershop
Des Moines, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$5,178
Pci Academy
Ames, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$3,948
Allen College
Waterloo, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$2,718
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$2,718
Northwestern College
Orange City, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$2,718
Vickie Steenhoek - Algona Comm Scho
Algona, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$800
The Original La'james College
Mason City, IA
Scholarships for algona community school district graduates$258

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund accept grant applications?

Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: First week in april each year.

How much does Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund give?

$359,756 in tax year 2025, across 25 grants, with a typical grant of $5,758.

Who runs Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund?

Its 2025 filing lists Iowa State Bank (Trustee) and Joe Carter (Trustee).

What does Willard E and Ella P Thompson Educational Fund fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education.

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