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Seidler Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.6M

Seidler Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,200,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $88,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $200 - $625,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Iowa, Wyoming, and Missouri

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1297, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 244-0300
Email: info@seidlerfoundation.org
Website: https://seidlerfoundation.org

Overview

The Seidler Foundation was founded by the Seidler family in 1984 and is based in Des Moines, Iowa. As a private foundation with assets of $88 million and charitable disbursements of $4.2 million in 2024 (representing 95.1% of total expenses), the foundation creates opportunities for meaningful lives through its strategic focus areas. The foundation's scholarship program was inspired by Evelyn Seidler, who was an English teacher at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in the 1970s and recognized talent in her students. The family is dedicated to public education and to the Cedar Rapids community. The foundation supports educational opportunity, arts and culture, and programs that address food insecurity, with particular emphasis on serving Iowa communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Seidler Foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than open grant competitions. In 2023, the foundation made 138 grants totaling approximately $2.9 million. Typical organizational grants range from $200 to $625,000.

11th Grade Scholarship Program

  • Award: $11,000/year for 4-year campuses; $5,500/year for 2-year institutions
  • Duration: Up to 4 years
  • Includes laptop provision
  • Application opens November 1; deadline early February
  • Exclusive to Jefferson High School students in Cedar Rapids

12th Grade Kirkwood Scholarship

  • Award: $5,500/year for exclusive enrollment at Kirkwood Community College
  • Duration: Up to 2 years
  • Includes laptop provision
  • Application opens March 1; deadline April 15
  • Open to Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High School students in Cedar Rapids

Cornell College Partnership

  • Established in 2023 with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa
  • Known as the Cornell College Opportunity

Kirkwood Community College Partnership

  • Established in 2025
  • Known as the Kirkwood Community College Opportunity

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation prioritizes educational opportunity, with focus on postsecondary scholarships for students with financial need who will develop and use their talents in a meaningful way. Support extends to higher education institutions, education services, and programs serving children.

Food Insecurity: The foundation supports organizations that alleviate childhood hunger by providing nourishment to children and provide equitable access to food support for people in need.

Arts & Culture: The foundation funds selected organizations and projects that celebrate contributions to communities and society through art and culture.

Other Areas: The foundation also supports organizations involved with philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, human services, and Judaism.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation operating primarily through trustee discretion, funding decisions are made based on alignment with the foundation's strategic priorities in education, food insecurity, and arts and culture.

Governance and Leadership

The Seidler Foundation is governed by three family members who serve without compensation:

  • Stanley B. Seidler, President
  • Carol Seidler Mavrakis, Director
  • Susan Seidler Nerman, Director

Harvey Kadlec is listed as an administrator associated with the foundation.

The foundation's leadership maintains a commitment to public education and the Cedar Rapids community, continuing the legacy of Evelyn Seidler's dedication to recognizing and supporting student talent and potential.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply - Organizational Grants

The Seidler Foundation does not have a public application process for organizational grants. The foundation operates as a private foundation where grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than open competitions. The foundation made 138 grants in 2023, supporting organizations primarily in Iowa, Wyoming, and Missouri.

Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly at info@seidlerfoundation.org or (515) 244-0300 to inquire about potential funding opportunities.

How to Apply - Scholarships

The foundation administers two distinct scholarship programs for Cedar Rapids public school students with clearly defined application processes:

11th Grade Scholarship:

  • Application opens November 1
  • Deadline: Early February
  • Awards announced: Late March
  • Requires 3.0 unweighted GPA, significant financial need (≤$12,000 SAI), lawful U.S. presence, community involvement

12th Grade Kirkwood Scholarship:

  • Application opens March 1
  • Deadline: April 15
  • Awards announced: Early May
  • Requires 2.0 unweighted GPA, significant financial need (≤$12,000 SAI), lawful U.S. presence

Decision Timeline

For scholarships, the foundation follows a structured timeline with awards announced in late March (11th grade) and early May (12th grade). For organizational grants awarded through trustee discretion, decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Scholarship success rates and organizational grant success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 138 organizational grants and continues to award scholarships to multiple students annually.

Reapplication Policy

Scholarship recipients must submit annual renewal forms and maintain eligibility requirements (minimum 12 college credits per semester, 3.0 college GPA for 11th grade scholars, continuing enrollment for Kirkwood scholars). Organizational reapplication policies are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private grantmaking structure, the following factors appear most relevant for potential organizational grantees:

Alignment with Core Mission: The foundation has clearly articulated priorities in educational opportunity, arts and culture, and food insecurity. Organizations working in these areas, particularly those serving Iowa communities, align with the foundation's mission.

Cedar Rapids Connection: The foundation has deep roots in Cedar Rapids, with scholarship programs focused exclusively on Cedar Rapids public school students and partnerships with local institutions like Kirkwood Community College. Organizations with Cedar Rapids ties may have stronger alignment.

Focus on Children and Youth: Multiple programs target young people, from alleviating childhood hunger to supporting students with financial need. Programs serving children and youth appear to be priorities.

Educational Access and Equity: The foundation's scholarship programs emphasize supporting students with significant financial need ($12,000 or less SAI) who will "develop and use their talents in a meaningful way," suggesting a focus on removing barriers to opportunity.

Demonstrated Impact: As the foundation directs 95.1% of expenses to charitable disbursements, they appear focused on efficient, effective grantmaking. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate measurable impact.

Geographic Priorities: While the foundation supports organizations in Iowa, Wyoming, and Missouri, Iowa—and particularly Cedar Rapids—appears to be the primary geographic focus.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: The Seidler Foundation awards organizational grants through trustee discretion, not open competitions. Direct contact with the foundation is necessary to explore funding opportunities.

  • Strong Cedar Rapids focus: With deep roots in Cedar Rapids dating to Evelyn Seidler's teaching career, the foundation maintains strong commitment to this community through scholarships, college partnerships, and likely organizational grants.

  • Three clear priority areas: Educational opportunity, food insecurity (especially childhood hunger), and arts and culture are the foundation's strategic focus areas.

  • Significant assets, focused giving: With $88 million in assets and $4.2 million in annual giving, the foundation is a substantial funder that directs 95% of expenses to charitable purposes.

  • Family legacy drives mission: The foundation's work honors Evelyn Seidler's dedication to education and continues through leadership by Stanley Seidler, Carol Seidler Mavrakis, and Susan Seidler Nerman.

  • Wide grant range: Organizational grants range from $200 to $625,000, suggesting the foundation supports both small community organizations and major institutions.

  • Multi-state reach: While Iowa-focused, the foundation also supports organizations in Wyoming and Missouri, expanding its regional impact.

References

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