Nonprofit spending analysis for Iowa: 85% goes to programs, 11% to administration, 4% to fundraising. Based on 433 organizations.
Among 9,987 nonprofits in Iowa, 433 report detailed spending breakdowns. On average, 85% of expenses go directly to charitable programs, 11% to administrative costs, and 4% to fundraising activities.
Iowa nonprofits demonstrate strong program efficiency, with the average organization directing 85% of spending to programs — above the widely-cited 75% benchmark used by charity watchdog organizations.
The 433 organizations collectively manage $41.6B in revenue and $84.4B in assets, making spending efficiency a critical metric for the charitable sector in Iowa.
| # | Organization | Program % | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naifa New Jersey Inc | 10% | $123K |
| 2 | Change Happens Foundation A Delaware Nonprofit Corporation | 50% | $4.8M |
| 3 | Professional Service Association Inc | 50% | $261K |
| 4 | Rock Island Arsenal Development Group | 60% | $179K |
| 5 | Atalanta Foundation | 60% | $169 |
| 6 | Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association | 70% | $79K |
| 7 | Bedell World Citizenship Fund | 70% | $707 |
| 8 | Fraternal Order Of Eagles | 70% | $176K |
| 9 | Des Moines Poverty Tr | 70% | $25K |
| 10 | Princess Theater Troupe Inc | 70% | $169K |
| 11 | Monte H Greenawalt Foundation Inc | 70% | $65 |
| 12 | Heartland Acres Agribition Center Inc | 70% | $238K |
| 13 | Church State And Industry Foundation Inc | 70% | $385K |
| 14 | Mwa Iii Inc | 70% | $60K |
| 15 | Osceola Public Library Foundation | 70% | $48K |
| 16 | Cedar Valley Tech Works Inc | 70% | $467K |
| 17 | John Paul Ii Medical Research Institute | 70% | $207K |
| 18 | Iowa Innovation Learning Center Inc | 70% | $0 |
| 19 | John Russell Healing House Foundation | 70% | $500 |
| 20 | Central Iowa Expo Inc | 70% | $258K |
On average, Iowa nonprofits spend 85% on programs, 11% on administration, and 4% on fundraising. This is based on IRS 990 data from 433 organizations.
Most charity evaluators consider 75% or higher to be a strong program expense ratio. In Iowa, the average is 85%.
The table above ranks Iowa nonprofits by program spending percentage. You can also use our Rankings page to find the most efficient organizations nationally or by state.