The Seidler Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 42-1209825 · since 1984seidlerfoundation.org·Cedar Rapids·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$4.1M
Annual giving, 2024 tax year
From the Form 990-PF filing
$1,000 to $60,000
Grant range
From grants in the 990-PF filings
$10,000
Typical grant (median)
120 grants in the latest filing
Open to applications
Rolling, no deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

  • The Seidler Foundation states its geographic focus as the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area and its themes as food insecurity, scholarships, and arts and culture, so a small nonprofit should first check that its work sits within those lines.
  • About 8 in 10 of its 309 grants to organisations fall between $1,000 and $60,000, and half are $5,000 or less, so a modest first request is the most realistic; that band is typical rather than a ceiling, as its largest grant was $625,000.
  • Its arts and culture support goes to organisations and projects the Foundation selects itself, so an arts group should expect that route rather than an open call, while hunger-related requests should show a clear focus on nourishing children or equitable access to food assistance.
  • In its most recent filing, 93% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so it looks relationship-led; a new group should not be put off, but should send a written request with a modest, well-aimed ask.
  • The filing gives no deadlines, so it does not say when requests are due.

Overview

The Seidler Foundation is a US private foundation based in Des Moines, IA.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Seidler Foundation describes its work as creating opportunities for a meaningful life through education, arts and culture, and food insecurity programmes. It supports organisations dedicated to alleviating hunger through nourishment for children and equitable access to food assistance; its arts and culture support goes to selected organisations and projects identified by the Foundation that celebrate contributions to communities and society. It also supports students with financial need through scholarships for post-secondary education. Its recorded organisation grants are mainly general support, reaching food banks, educational institutions, arts and cultural organisations, faith communities, community foundations and social-service organisations. The Foundation’s stated approach combines direct support for selected organisations with scholarships for students.

Themes

  • Food insecurity
  • Scholarships
  • Arts and culture

Geographic Focus

Cedar Rapids, Iowa area.

How to apply

Organisations should submit a written request.

Application success factors

  • Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 93% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
  • Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 309 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

  • For hunger-related support, the Foundation favours organisations alleviating hunger by nourishing children and ensuring equitable access to food assistance.
  • For arts and culture, the Foundation selects organisations and projects it identifies that celebrate contributions to communities and society.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Iowa51%
Wyoming26%
Missouri14%
Kansas3%
Arizona2%
Illinois1%

6 other states: 2%

  • The largest single recipient received 11% of grant dollars to organisations.
  • In tax year 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to organisations The Seidler Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
  • No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
  • 14% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

120 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $10,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 120 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k3%
$1k–$2.5k16%
$2.5k–$5k3%
$5k–$10k23%
$10k–$25k33%
$25k–$50k11%
$50k–$100k3%
$100k–$250k5%
$250k–$500k4%

Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

  • University of Iowa Center for Advancement · General support
    $300,0002024 tax year
  • Zack Johnson Foundation · General support
    $300,0002024 tax year
  • Food Bank of Iowa · General support
    $300,0002024 tax year
  • Jewish Federation of Des Moines · General support
    $250,0002024 tax year
  • Grand Teton Music Festival · General support
    $250,0002024 tax year
  • Kansas City Art Institute · General support
    $214,0002024 tax year
  • Food Bank of Wyoming · General support
    $150,0002024 tax year
  • Harvesters Community Food Network · General support
    $150,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

  • Susan Seidler Nerman — Director
  • Carol Seidler Mavrakis — Director
  • Stanley B Seidler — President

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

YearTotal expensesGrants paidAssetsFiling document
2022 tax year$2,143,668$1,992,800$45,130,009Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year$3,090,889$2,882,726$81,023,193Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year$4,412,590$4,094,275$103,852,119Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.

Sources

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