The Michael L and Marjory A Bennett Foundation focuses on local Iowa community strengthening with an emphasis on educational opportunity and community-serving institutions. Major gifts fund student-focused programs and higher education, while other sizable grants support regional parks, recreational camps, and family/youth services—showing a mix of place-based civic preservation and youth development. The foundation gives several large, targeted awards rather than many small grants, and frequently supports organizations that anchor community life in the Okoboji/Sioux City region.
A single $250,000 grant to Student Mobilization stands out in the Michael L and Marjory a Bennett Foundation’s recent record and points to a funder that backs education with sizable, targeted awards. The foundation’s grantmaking also connects classrooms and campuses to community life: it supported Morningside College with $76,011 for educational activities, and it made another large award to Historic Arnold's Park for community activities. Those gifts sit alongside support for youth-serving organizations such as Camp High Hopes and Boys and Girls Home & Family Services, showing a pattern that blends student support, higher education, and place-based civic institutions. The foundation’s recent grants suggest a preference for organizations that anchor daily life in Iowa and nearby communities, with recurring attention to institutions in the Sioux City and Okoboji areas. Rather than spreading small awards broadly, it appears to make several substantial grants to a defined set of recipients, including education providers, community organizations, and youth services.
Education is a central thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $25,000 to Briar Cliff University for educational activities and $20,000 to Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools for educational activities; Bishop Heelan received the same amount in 2023 as well. Student-focused support also appears in the $250,000 grant to Student Mobilization for assistance to education. Community life is another visible area. The foundation awarded $75,000 to Historic Arnold's Park for community activities and $50,000 to Okoboji Foundation for assistance to community, linking grant dollars to local gathering places and regional civic activity. Youth and family services also receive support, including $50,000 to Boys and Girls Home & Family Services for assistance to community.
The foundation’s typical grant size centers on mid-sized awards: the 25th percentile is $11,875, the median is $22,500, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. Recent grants show repeat support to several organizations across 2023 and 2024, including Briar Cliff University, Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, Nebraska Greats Foundation, Charitable Foundation of the Islands, United Way, Camp High Hopes, Sioux City Parks & Rec Foundation Inc, and Sioux City Symphony. That indicates some ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is not a donor-advised fund and does not make program-related investments; it operates as a private foundation with project-based and direct-service support.
$227K
$240K
$62K
$234K
Most grants fall between $12K and $50K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of local beneficiaries; mix of one-off large gifts and repeat funding to place-based community institutions and youth-serving organizations.
Notable grantees: STUDENT MOBILIZATION, MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE, HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK, CAMP HIGH HOPES, OKOBOJI FOUNDATION
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Iowa, with 71% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Sioux City appears most often in the recent list, alongside Arnolds Park and Okoboji. Outside Iowa, the foundation has given to recipients in Omaha, Jacksonville, Sanibel, and Conway. By country, all recent grants went to U.S. organizations. Nebraska is the top state by grant count, showing that the foundation’s giving footprint reaches beyond its Sioux City base.
The foundation funds education, community activities, and youth and family services. Recent examples include universities and schools, community organizations tied to local civic life, and camps and family-service groups. Its taxonomy also points to education assistance, community development, and support for community-based organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Briar Cliff University, Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, Nebraska Greats Foundation, Charitable Foundation of the Islands, United Way, Camp High Hopes, Sioux City Parks & Rec Foundation Inc, and Sioux City Symphony.
Recent grant sizes are centered in the mid-range: the 25th percentile is $11,875, the median is $22,500, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. The recent record also includes several larger awards above that range, including a $250,000 grant and multiple $50,000 grants.
Its grantmaking is concentrated in Iowa, with 71% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Sioux City shows up frequently in the recent grants list, and the top state by grant count is Nebraska.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK | ARNOLDS PARK, IA | $78,500 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| CCA FOUNDATION INC | CAPTIVA, FL | $28,750 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS | SANIBEL, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| GIRLS INC | SIOUX CITY, IA | $20,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMNITY |
| BOYS TOWN CENTRAL NEBRASKA | GRAND ISLAND, NE | $12,500 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| UNITED WAY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $12,500 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| SHAYLA BEE FUND | SPENCER, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| DICKINSON COUNTY FREEDOM ROCK | LAKE PARK, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMNITY |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK | ARNOLDS PARK, IA | $64,010 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| CAMP HIGH HOPES | SIOUX CITY, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| STUDENT MOBILIZATION | CONWAY, AR | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATION |
| HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH | SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE | $25,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| CHAPEL BY THE SEA | CHERRY GROVE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| UNITED WAY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $12,500 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS | SANIBEL, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SIOUX CITY PARKS & REC FOUNDATION INC | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SHAYLA BEE FUND | SPENCER, IA | $7,300 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| BOYS AND GIRLS HOME & FAMILY SERVICES | SIOUX CITY, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| OKOBOJI FOUNDATION | ARNOLDS PARK, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMUNNITY |
| BOYS AND GIRLS HOME & FAMILY SERVICES | SIOUX CITY, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| CAMP HIGH HOPES | SIOUX CITY, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | SIOUX CITY, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS | SANIBEL, FL | $15,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $15,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| UNITED WAY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $12,500 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SIOUX CITY PARKS & REC FOUNDATION INC | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| STUDENT MOBILIZATION | CONWAY, AR | $250,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATION |
| MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE | SIOUX CITY, IA | $76,011 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK | ARNOLDS PARK, IA | $75,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| CAMP HIGH HOPES | SIOUX CITY, IA | $50,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SPIRIT OF OKOBOJI | OKOBOJI, IA | $25,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| QUALITY LIFE CENTER | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| UNITED WAY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | SIOUX CITY, IA | $20,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES |
| NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $15,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SIOUX CITY PARKS & REC FOUNDATION INC | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY | SIOUX CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS | SANIBEL, FL | $5,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA MID AMERICA COUNCIL | OMAHA, NE | $4,000 | 2023 | ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY |
HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK
$78,500ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
CCA FOUNDATION INC
$28,750ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY
BOYS TOWN CENTRAL NEBRASKA
$12,500ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY
ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
SHAYLA BEE FUND
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
DICKINSON COUNTY FREEDOM ROCK
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMNITY
SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK
$64,010ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
STUDENT MOBILIZATION
$50,000ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATION
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$25,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
CHAPEL BY THE SEA
$25,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
UNITED WAY
$12,500ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SIOUX CITY PARKS & REC FOUNDATION INC
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SHAYLA BEE FUND
$7,300ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
OKOBOJI FOUNDATION
$50,000ASSISTANCE TO COMUNNITY
BOYS AND GIRLS HOME & FAMILY SERVICES
$50,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY
BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$20,000ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION
$15,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SIOUX CITY PARKS & REC FOUNDATION INC
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
STUDENT MOBILIZATION
$250,000ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATION
MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE
$76,011ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
HISTORIC ARNOLD'S PARK
$75,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SPIRIT OF OKOBOJI
$25,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY
BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY
$25,000ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
QUALITY LIFE CENTER
$25,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY
UNITED WAY
$25,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$20,000ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION
$15,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SIOUX CITY PARKS & REC FOUNDATION INC
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA MID AMERICA COUNCIL
$4,000ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY