Harold W Siebens Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,614,699 (2024)
• Foundation Assets: $5,975,357
• Number of Grants: 141 awards (2024)
• Grant Range: $200 - $1,020,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Iowa and Missouri, with some grants in Texas
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Harold W. Siebens Charitable Foundation, Inc.

• Address: 340 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10173-1922
• EIN: 13-3666768
• Branch Office: 120 South Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105
• Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds

Overview

The Harold W. Siebens Charitable Foundation was established to continue the philanthropic legacy of Harold Walter Siebens (1905-1989), a successful petroleum industry entrepreneur who built his fortune in oil and energy interests worldwide before selling to Dome Petroleum in 1978. The foundation was formally incorporated in 2001 in New York, Iowa, and Missouri. With assets of approximately $6 million, the foundation distributed over $10.6 million in grants in 2024, making 141 awards to preselected organizations. The foundation focuses on education (including schools for the deaf), human services, healthcare, community programs, and support for children and youth, primarily in Iowa and Missouri - regions connected to Harold Siebens' personal history. Harold Siebens, born in Storm Lake, Iowa, and later based in St. Louis, was known for his business acumen in transforming his father's company into the American Sporting Goods Company before entering the petroleum industry, and for his generous philanthropic support to institutions including a landmark $18 million gift to Buena Vista University in 1980.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education

• Schools for the deaf and hearing-impaired (historically significant support for Central Institute for the Deaf)
• Business education programs
• General educational institutions

Human Services

• Children and youth services
• Emergency services and shelters (e.g., Youth Emergency Services and Shelter of Iowa)
• Social services organizations

Healthcare

• Hearing and speech centers
• Community health programs
• Medical facilities support

Community Development

• Community programs and centers
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Voluntarism and grantmaking foundations

Grant Range

The foundation makes grants ranging from $200 to over $1,000,000, with typical awards varying significantly based on the organization and project. Historical examples include:

• $500,000 to Central Institute for the Deaf (St. Louis, MO)
• $162,500 to Saint Louis Hearing and Speech Center
• $128,628 to Youth Emergency Services and Shelter of Iowa (Des Moines)
• $100,000 to Saint Patrick Center (St. Louis, MO)
• $30,000 to Iowa Nonprofit Alliance

Geographic Focus

The foundation gives primarily in Iowa and Missouri, with historical presence in Texas (branch was active 2007-2012). This geographic focus reflects Harold Siebens' personal connections to Storm Lake, Iowa (birthplace) and St. Louis, Missouri (business base).

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (no grants to individuals)
• Organizations outside their established geographic focus areas
• Organizations not preselected by trustees

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The foundation is governed by a board of directors including:

• Henry Christensen III, Director
• Heather Rae Johnson, Director
• James G. McKee, Director
• Jay E. Rivlin, Director
• Stewart D. Siebens, Director (Siebens family representative)
• W. Carter Siebens, Director (Siebens family representative)

The presence of family members Stewart D. Siebens and W. Carter Siebens on the board ensures continuity with Harold W. Siebens' philanthropic vision and values.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Harold W. Siebens Charitable Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have identified through their own research and relationships.

Organizations cannot apply for funding through any formal application process, online portal, or written submission.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept applications, organizations working in their priority areas in Iowa and Missouri may benefit from understanding their funding patterns:

Historical Funding Patterns The foundation has shown consistent support for:

• Organizations serving the deaf and hearing-impaired community
• Youth services and emergency shelter programs in Iowa
• Educational institutions in Iowa (particularly Buena Vista University)
• Community health and social service organizations in Missouri and Iowa

Board Connections With board members who maintain connections to both Iowa and Missouri, organizations with established reputations in these communities may be more likely to be considered. The foundation appears to support well-established institutions rather than new or startup organizations.

Relationship Building Since grants are trustee-initiated, organizations might focus on:

• Building strong reputations in the Iowa and Missouri nonprofit sectors
• Participating in regional philanthropy networks (e.g., Philanthropy Southwest, Iowa Nonprofit Alliance)
• Demonstrating measurable impact in areas aligned with Harold Siebens' values: education, business ethics, youth development, and community service

Note: There is no evidence that sending unsolicited letters or materials to the foundation will result in funding consideration.

Decision Timeline

Since there is no application process, there are no published decision timelines. Grants appear to be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year at the discretion of the board of trustees.

The foundation filed 141 grants in 2024, 124 in 2023, and 90 in 2022, showing an increasing volume of grantmaking activity.

Application Success Factors

While organizations cannot apply to this foundation, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations assess alignment:

Alignment with Founder's Values

Harold W. Siebens was known for:

• Business ethics and entrepreneurship
• Supporting education (particularly business education)
• Helping young people develop independence and self-sufficiency
• Supporting institutions in his home regions of Iowa and Missouri

Organizations that embody these values and operate in these geographic areas are more likely to receive consideration.

Established Organizations with Track Records

The foundation's grant history shows support for well-established institutions with proven impact:

• Major medical and educational institutions (Central Institute for the Deaf, Mayo Clinic)
• Established social service providers (Saint Patrick Center)
• Recognized youth services organizations (Youth Emergency Services and Shelter)

Focus Areas Alignment

Organizations should have clear alignment with the foundation's core interests:

• Education (especially for underserved populations)
• Healthcare and hearing services
• Youth development and emergency services
• Community programs in Iowa and Missouri

Long-Term Relationships

The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with recipient organizations, potentially providing recurring support to organizations that demonstrate continued impact and alignment with the foundation's mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: This foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals
• Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Iowa and Missouri organizations, reflecting founder's personal connections
• Special Interest in Hearing Services: Historical pattern of significant support for deaf education and hearing/speech services
• Wide Grant Range: Awards vary dramatically from $200 to over $1 million, suggesting flexibility based on organizational need and project scope
• Family Involvement: Siebens family members serve on the board, maintaining connection to founder's vision
• Growing Grantmaking: Increasing number of grants year-over-year (90 in 2022, 124 in 2023, 141 in 2024)
• Focus on Impact: Organizations should prioritize building strong reputations and demonstrable impact in their communities rather than attempting to solicit this foundation

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Harold W Siebens Charitable Foundation (EIN 13-3666768). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133666768
• Buena Vista University: About Harold Walter Siebens. Available at: https://www.bvu.edu/bv/siebens-den/harold-walter-siebens
• Instrumentl 990 Report: Harold W Siebens Charitable Foundation Inc. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/harold-w-siebens-charitable
• Cause IQ: Harold W Siebens Charitable Foundation. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/harold-w-siebens-charitable,133666768/
• Grantmakers.io: Harold W Siebens Charitable Profile. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/133666768-harold-w-siebens-charitable/
• NPFunds Directory: Harold W. Siebens Charitable Foundation, Inc. Available at: https://npfunds.com/directory/harold-w-siebens-charitable-foundation-inc/
• OpenCorporates: The Harold W. Siebens Charitable Foundation, Inc. (Missouri registration). Available at: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_mo/E00067483

All sources accessed March 2026.