Edwin T Meredith Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,329,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $22.7 million (2024)
• Grant Range: $4,000 - $400,000
• Number of Grants: 14 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Iowa (Polk, Johnson, Warren counties), with select grants in Wyoming, Missouri, and Kansas
• Application Process: No public application process - grants to preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: 3106 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

Phone: 515-284-2096

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications.

Overview

The Edwin T Meredith Foundation was established in 1946 as a private family foundation honoring Edwin Thomas Meredith (1876-1928), founder of Successful Farming magazine and the Meredith Corporation, and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1920-1921). With total assets of $22.7 million as of 2024, the foundation has grown significantly from $6.6 million in 2011. The foundation distributed $1,329,000 in grants in 2023 across 14 awards, focusing primarily on youth agencies, higher education, cultural programs, and historic preservation in central Iowa. The Meredith family's philanthropic legacy continues through this foundation, maintaining the founder's commitment to youth development, education, and community enrichment. Edwin T. Meredith was instrumental in establishing 4-H programs in Iowa, and the foundation continues to support youth-serving organizations as a core priority.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed giving rather than formal grant programs. All funding decisions are made by the board of trustees, who select beneficiary organizations based on the foundation's mission and the family's philanthropic interests.

Grant Size Range: $4,000 - $400,000

• Major institutional grants: $100,000 - $400,000
• Mid-range grants: $10,000 - $50,000
• Smaller grants: $4,000 - $10,000

Priority Areas

Youth Development: Major focus on youth-serving organizations, particularly Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. The Meredith family has historical ties to youth programs, with E.T. Meredith Jr. co-founding the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa chapter in 1963.

Higher Education: Substantial support for Iowa colleges and universities, including Drake University, University of Iowa, and Simpson College.

Cultural Programs: Support for arts organizations, museums, performing arts centers, and science centers. Recent grants include Des Moines Performing Arts, Science Center of Iowa, and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Historic Preservation: Funding for historic preservation projects, particularly in Wyoming (Bradford Brinton Museum, Sheridan Heritage Center) and Iowa.

Community Libraries: Support for public library systems and foundations.

Health and Conservation: Secondary areas of support including hospitals, health agencies, and conservation organizations.

Geographic Priorities

Primary Focus: Central Iowa, particularly Polk County (Des Moines), Johnson County (Iowa City), and Warren County

Secondary Interests: Select grants in Wyoming and Missouri, reflecting family connections and interests in western historic preservation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, which effectively means they do not fund organizations that are not already known to the trustees. There is no indication of specific exclusions, but the foundation's giving pattern shows a clear focus on established institutions in Iowa with some exceptions for historic preservation projects in Wyoming.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

D Mell Meredith Frazier, President: Direct descendant of Edwin T. Meredith, continuing the family's philanthropic legacy.

ET Meredith IV, Vice President: Fourth-generation member of the Meredith family, maintaining family involvement in the foundation's direction.

Cheri A Cipperley, Secretary/Treasurer: Administrative leader managing foundation operations and grant distributions.

Compensation: No officer compensation reported, indicating all leadership serves in a volunteer capacity.

Family Legacy

The Meredith family has maintained continuous involvement with the foundation since its 1946 inception. The family's commitment to youth development traces back to Edwin T. Meredith's establishment of the "Junior Soldiers of the Soil" section in Successful Farming magazine (1916) and his creation of a $250,000 loan fund for 4-H in 1917. The Iowa Conference Room at the National 4-H Center was established in memory of Edwin T. Meredith through a major gift from the Meredith Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Edwin T Meredith Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion, making grants only to preselected charitable organizations. This means:

• No application forms or guidelines are available
• The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Grant decisions are made internally by the board of trustees
• Organizations cannot apply directly for funding

This invitation-only approach is common among family foundations that prefer to proactively identify and support organizations aligned with their mission rather than managing an open application process.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept applications, organizations seeking to be considered for future funding might consider the following foundation-specific strategies:

Leverage Existing Relationships: The foundation has demonstrated multi-year support for certain organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Drake University, Science Center of Iowa). Organizations with connections to current grantees may benefit from relationship-building through those networks.

Focus on Youth and Education: The foundation's strongest giving pattern centers on youth development and higher education in Iowa. Organizations working in these sectors and demonstrating measurable impact on Iowa youth have the best alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Demonstrate Institutional Stability: The foundation's grants favor well-established institutions with strong track records. Recent recipients are primarily major organizations with substantial operations and proven impact.

Geographic Alignment: Organizations based in Polk, Johnson, or Warren counties in Iowa have the strongest geographic alignment. Wyoming historic preservation organizations represent a secondary interest area.

Board and Community Connections: Given the foundation's roots in Des Moines and the Meredith family's long history in Iowa business and civic leadership, connections through Des Moines business, civic, and philanthropic networks may provide the best pathway to visibility with trustees.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a trustee-determined schedule rather than application cycles or deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot submit applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Edwin T Meredith Foundation does not accept applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of the foundation's giving patterns reveals what attracts trustee support:

Institutional Strength and Longevity: Grant recipients are predominantly well-established organizations with long track records. The Science Center of Iowa received $275,000, Drake University received $400,000, and the Public Library of Des Moines Foundation received $100,000 - all major institutions with decades of community service.

Youth Impact: Organizations demonstrating clear, measurable impact on youth development receive the largest grants. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa received $275,000, reflecting the foundation's core commitment to youth programs stemming from Edwin T. Meredith's original 4-H advocacy.

Multi-Year Relationships: The foundation shows a pattern of sustained support for organizations over time rather than one-time grants to many different organizations. Grant history shows 14-18 awards annually to a relatively consistent portfolio of beneficiaries.

Mission Alignment with Founder's Legacy: Organizations that align with Edwin T. Meredith's original interests - agriculture, youth development, education, and community improvement - receive consistent support.

Cultural and Educational Excellence: Major cultural institutions like museums, performing arts centers, and science education organizations receive significant support, reflecting the family's commitment to enriching Iowa's cultural landscape.

Geographic Proximity: Des Moines-based organizations receive the highest number and largest grants, though the foundation also supports University of Iowa (Johnson County) and select organizations in Wyoming connected to family interests in western history and art.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: This foundation does not accept proposals or applications - all grants are trustee-initiated to preselected organizations
• Youth Development Priority: The foundation's strongest commitment is to youth-serving organizations, particularly in central Iowa, stemming from Edwin T. Meredith's pioneering support for 4-H
• Substantial Grant Sizes: When the foundation commits to an organization, grants can be very significant ($100,000-$400,000 for major institutions)
• Family Foundation Character: Four generations of Meredith family leadership means decisions reflect family values, legacy considerations, and personal connections
• Long-Term Relationships: The foundation prefers ongoing relationships with established institutions over one-time grants to new organizations
• Central Iowa Focus: While the foundation makes some out-of-state grants, the vast majority of funding supports organizations in Polk, Johnson, and Warren counties
• Networking Matters: Given the invitation-only model, visibility within Des Moines philanthropic, business, and civic networks is essential for organizations hoping to be considered for future support

References

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Edwin T Meredith Foundation. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/426059818-edwin-t-meredith-foundation/

• Edwin T. Meredith Foundation, The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, University of Iowa. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://inrc.law.uiowa.edu/grants/edwin-t-meredith-foundation

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Edwin T Meredith Foundation (EIN 42-6059818). Form 990 filings and financial data. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/426059818

• Instrumentl 990 Report - Edwin T Meredith Foundation. Grant activity and recipient data. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/edwin-t-meredith-foundation

• Cause IQ Profile - Edwin T Meredith Foundation. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/edwin-t-meredith-foundation,426059818/

• "Edwin T. Meredith," Iowa 4-H Foundation. Historical information about the founder. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/index.cfm/31887/2052/edwin_t_meredith

• "Edwin T. Meredith," Wikipedia. Biographical information. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_T._Meredith

• "Our History," Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. Information about Meredith family support. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://www.bgcci.org/our-history