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Lauridsen Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $3.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2.4 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
  • Decision Time: N/A - Pre-selected organizations
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Iowa (Des Moines area), with some national reach

Contact Details

  • Website: Not available
  • Phone: Not publicly listed
  • Email: Not publicly listed
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Lauridsen Family Foundation (EIN: 47-2871002) is a private independent foundation established by Nixon E. Lauridsen, founder and retired CEO of the Lauridsen Group, Inc. With assets of $20.8 million as of 2024, the foundation has dramatically increased its giving in recent years, distributing $2.4 million in 2024 compared to $90,000 in 2020. The foundation operates as an invitation-only funder, supporting pre-selected organizations primarily in Iowa's Des Moines metro area. Nixon Lauridsen's philanthropic philosophy centers on giving back to the community that supported his business success, with a particular emphasis on elevating Des Moines as a world-class destination for arts and culture.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through invitation-only grants with no public application process. Recent grants have ranged from:

  • Transformational gifts: $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 (major capital campaigns and endowments)
  • Major support: $100,000 - $500,000 (program and operational support)
  • General support: $5,000 - $50,000 (smaller organizational grants)

Priority Areas

  • Arts and Culture (primary focus) - Particularly performing arts organizations
  • Education - With emphasis on arts education and college programs
  • Social Services - Focus on homelessness among mothers and children
  • Community Development - Projects that enhance community quality of life

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only foundation, they do not fund:

  • Unsolicited requests
  • Organizations outside their pre-selected network
  • Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

Nixon E. Lauridsen - Director Founder and retired CEO of Lauridsen Group, Inc., which spans six companies with over 3,000 employees across 60+ global locations. Holds degrees from University of Wisconsin (Finance) and University of Iowa (JD). Nixon has stated: "Des Moines has been very good to me and it's important to me to give back and support local artists that are helping to put Des Moines on the map as a world-class art city."

Virginia Lauridsen An accomplished classical vocalist and assistant professor of music at Simpson College, Virginia has performed with major orchestras globally and is actively involved in the foundation's arts-focused giving.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations they have identified and invited to receive support.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership involvement, organizations may increase visibility through:

  • Arts community engagement: Nixon and Virginia Lauridsen are deeply involved in Des Moines' arts scene, particularly through organizations like Ballet Des Moines and Des Moines Metro Opera where they serve in leadership roles
  • Simpson College connections: Virginia Lauridsen's position at Simpson College creates natural pathways for arts and education organizations connected to the institution
  • Excellence in arts programming: Nixon specifically seeks organizations with "a clear vision and a steadfast commitment to raising the bar for arts within our community"
  • Community impact demonstrations: The foundation favors transformational projects that elevate Des Moines' cultural landscape

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are initiated by the foundation

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

  • Excellence in arts and culture: Recipients like Ballet Des Moines and Des Moines Metro Opera are recognized leaders in their fields
  • Clear vision for community impact: Nixon Lauridsen specifically mentions supporting organizations with "clear vision and steadfast commitment"
  • Transformational potential: Many grants support projects that fundamentally change organizations' capacity or reach
  • Des Moines area focus: While some national grants are made, the strongest support goes to organizations enhancing the Des Moines cultural landscape
  • Established track record: All known recipients are established organizations with proven leadership and operational capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Lauridsen Family Foundation is strictly invitation-only - do not submit unsolicited proposals
  • Focus areas strongly favor arts and culture organizations, particularly performing arts
  • The foundation makes both transformational multi-million dollar gifts and smaller operational grants
  • Geographic preference is strongly toward Des Moines area organizations
  • Nixon Lauridsen's business background (CEO of major corporation) suggests appreciation for clear strategic planning and measurable impact
  • Building relationships within Des Moines' arts community may create indirect pathways to foundation awareness
  • The foundation's giving has grown dramatically (from $90K to $2.4M between 2020-2024), suggesting expanding philanthropic ambitions

References

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