Great Iowa Treasure Hunt Newsletter
Record Returns, Money Match and Back-to-School Savings
See how Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is returning more money than ever.
Issued August 2026
A Note from the Treasurer
One of my greatest responsibilities is returning unclaimed property to its rightful owners. Every dollar we return represents a chance to make a difference, whether it helps pay bills, save for the future or simply reconnect someone with money they didn’t know they had. This past year was a record-breaking one for Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, and that success would not have been possible without the Iowans who searched for their property, shared our message with family and friends and trusted our office to serve them.
Sincerely,
Roby Smith
Iowa State Treasurer
A Record-Breaking Year for Great Iowa Treasure Hunt
Fiscal Year 2026 was the biggest year in Great Iowa Treasure Hunt history. The Iowa State Treasurer’s Office returned more than $38.2 million in unclaimed property to rightful owners. The office also processed 53,194 claims, breaking the previous record by more than 8,300 claims. Every claim represents money returned to an individual, family, business or organization, and we remain committed to helping Iowans reconnect with property that belongs to them.
Great Iowa Treasure Hunt at Iowa State Fair
Our team enjoyed helping fairgoers search for unclaimed property, answer questions and file claims on the spot. The Iowa State Fair was another great opportunity to connect with Iowans from across the state and spread awareness about unclaimed property. During the fair, 2,701 claims were submitted, helping even more Iowans take the first step toward reclaiming what is rightfully theirs. If you missed us, no worries! Click the button below to search for unclaimed property today!
Money Match
Getting your money back just got easier. Money Match is a new initiative that allows the Iowa State Treasurer’s Office to automatically return certain unclaimed property to eligible owners when ownership can be verified though secure records within the Department of Revenue. Eligible Iowans will simply receive a letter in the mail and receive a check within the next 3 weeks of receiving the letter. The initiative was designed to make returning property faster, easier and more convenient while still ensuring funds are delivered to their rightful owners.
Start the School Year Strong
A new school year is the perfect time to think about the future. If you receive money through Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, consider putting it toward a child’s education with an ISave 529™ account. Whether it’s buying school supplies today or saving for post-secondary education tomorrow, your unclaimed property can help create new opportunities for the next generation. Every dollar saved today can help make tomorrow’s education more affordable.
