The Donald F & Charlene K Lamberti Foundation concentrates its giving on faith-based Catholic ministries, K–12 Christian education, and a handful of community and cultural institutions in Iowa, with occasional national religious nonprofits. Giving is both locally focused (Des Moines/Ankeny area) and mission-driven toward Catholic formation, campus ministry, pregnancy/parenting support and faith outreach. The portfolio also includes a very large, outlier cultural gift and some civic/food-security support, indicating occasional one-off strategic or legacy donations.
Concentrated, mission-focused giving with many repeat, mid-size grants to the same faith-based grantees and local schools, plus a very large one-time/major contribution (Italian American Cultural Center). The foundation favors contributions and program support over many small, dispersed grants and shows a strong preference for repeat partners.
A single $6 million grant to the Italian American Cultural Center of Des Moines stands out in the Donald F &charlene K Lamberti Foundation’s recent record. That outlier sits alongside a much broader pattern of support for Catholic ministries, Christian education, and select community institutions, mostly in Iowa. The foundation’s 2024 and 2025 grants show repeated backing for the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Net Ministries Inc, the Fellowship of Cath University Students, and several Des Moines-area schools and ministries. Their giving is not limited to explicitly religious organizations. Recent awards also reached On With Life in Ankeny, Mercy Foundation of Des Moines Iowa, Hope Ministries, Child Serve, and World Food Prize. The portfolio combines faith formation, parish and diocesan support, campus ministry, K–12 Christian schooling, and a few civic or cultural gifts. Recurring grants to the same organizations across multiple years suggest a steady institutional pattern rather than isolated one-time awards in much of the portfolio, even as the largest cultural grant remains unusual in scale.
Catholic and Christian education is a clear thread. In 2024, the foundation gave $50,000 to Grandview Christian School in Des Moines and $30,000 to Joshua Christian Academy Inc in Des Moines, while also supporting Ankeny Christian Academy with $20,000 in 2024. Church and diocesan work is another major area. The Catholic Diocese of Des Moines received $63,500 in 2024 and $63,200 in 2025, and St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Chu in Ankeny received $20,000 in 2024. Campus and youth ministry also appears repeatedly. Net Ministries Inc received $50,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and the Fellowship of Cath University Students received $30,000 in both years. The foundation also supported family and social-service work, including $90,000 to Forge Coalition for Family Flourish in Des Moines and $25,000 to Ruth Harbor Foundation in Des Moines.
Typical grant size clusters in the $10,000 to $25,000 range, with a median of $17,500 and a p75 of $25,000. The recent record also includes a few much larger awards, including a $6 million grant that sits far outside the rest of the portfolio. Several recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Net Ministries Inc, the Fellowship of Cath University Students, Mercy Foundation of Des Moines Iowa, Hope Ministries, Blessman International, and James Arthur Albert Foundation. The foundation is a private foundation and does not make program-related investments. It does not fund individuals.
$6.7M
$9M
$5.2M
$6.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: Italian American Cultural Center of (large one-time gift), Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, NET Ministries Inc, Dynamic Catholic Institute, Ankeny Christian Academy
Most grants land in Iowa, and 63% of grants went to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Des Moines is the most common city in the recent grants list, with multiple awards to organizations there, including the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Grandview Christian School, World Food Prize, Mercy Foundation of Des Moines Iowa, and Hope Ministries. Ankeny, Johnston, and West Des Moines also appear often. Outside Iowa, recent grants reached West St Paul, Minnesota; Golden, Colorado; and Kent, Washington. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Most grants are in a relatively tight band: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $17,500, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The recent list also includes a few larger exceptions, including awards of $50,000, $63,500, $80,000, $90,000, and one $6 million grant.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on Catholic ministries, Christian schools, campus ministry, and faith-based outreach. The foundation also funds some community organizations and cultural institutions in Iowa, alongside a few social-service recipients such as On With Life, Hope Ministries, and Child Serve.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Net Ministries Inc, the Fellowship of Cath University Students, Mercy Foundation of Des Moines Iowa, Hope Ministries, Blessman International, and James Arthur Albert Foundation. That pattern suggests recurring support for part of the portfolio.
The foundation gives most often in Iowa, which accounts for 63% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Des Moines is the most frequent city in the recent grants list, followed by other central Iowa locations such as Ankeny, Johnston, and West Des Moines.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER OF | DES MOINES, IA | $6,000,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| FORGE COALITION FOR FAMILY FLOURISH | DES MOINES, IA | $90,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $63,200 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| NET MINISTRIES INC | WEST ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| WORLD FOOD PRIZE | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MERCY FOUNDATION OF DES MOINES IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $40,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CATH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS | GOLDEN, CO | $30,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| CHILD SERVE | JOHNSTON, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| RUTH HARBOR FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| HOPE MINISTRIES | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| IOWANS SUPPORTING ISRAEL | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BLESSMAN INTERNATIONAL | URBANDALE, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| JAMES ARTHUR ALBERT FOUNDATION | URBANDALES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DYNAMIC CATHOLIC INSTITUTE | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| CATHOLICS COME HOME INC | ROSWELL, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | ANKENY, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| BENEDICTINE COLLEGE | ATCHISON, KS | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHU | ANKENY, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK | IRONDALE, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MARCH FOR LIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE GATHERING PLACE | GREENFIELD, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BIKING FOR BABIES | ST CHARLES, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| YOUR CHOICE FOUNDATION | YORK, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHURCH | DES MOINES, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| CENTRAL IOWA FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIA | DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| MONKS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN | CODY, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PULSE LIFE ADVOCATES | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | LENOIR CITY, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| MID IOWA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMER | DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| PUPPY JAKE FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEWMAN CENTER TRUST ACCOUNT | IOWA CITY, IA | $3,000 | 2026 | CONTRIBUTION |
| ON WITH LIFE | ANKENY, IA | $80,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | ANKENY, IA | $70,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $63,600 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $63,500 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| IOWA CATHOLIC RADIO | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| XAVIER MISSION FUND | LITTLETON, CO | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| NET MINISTRIES INC | WEST ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK | IRONDALE, AL | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| GRANDVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| GRANDVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| IOWA CATHOLIC RADIO | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| NET MINISTRIES INC | WEST ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| BLESSMAN INTERNATIONAL | URBANDALE, IA | $40,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| MERCY FOUNDATION OF DES MOINES IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $40,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| DES MOINES COUNCIL SOCIETY ST VINCENT | DES MOINES, IA | $40,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
| MERCY FOUNDATION OF DES MOINES IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $40,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION |
ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER OF
$6,000,000CONTRIBUTION
FORGE COALITION FOR FAMILY FLOURISH
$90,000CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES
$63,200CONTRIBUTION
NET MINISTRIES INC
$50,000CONTRIBUTION
WORLD FOOD PRIZE
$50,000CHARITABLE
FELLOWSHIP OF CATH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
$30,000CONTRIBUTION
CHILD SERVE
$25,000CONTRIBUTION
RUTH HARBOR FOUNDATION
$25,000CHARITABLE
IOWANS SUPPORTING ISRAEL
$25,000CHARITABLE
BLESSMAN INTERNATIONAL
$25,000CONTRIBUTION
JAMES ARTHUR ALBERT FOUNDATION
$25,000CHARITABLE
CATHOLICS COME HOME INC
$20,000CONTRIBUTION
ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$15,000CONTRIBUTION
ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHU
$15,000CONTRIBUTION
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$15,000CONTRIBUTION
MARCH FOR LIFE
$15,000CHARITABLE
THE GATHERING PLACE
$15,000CHARITABLE
BIKING FOR BABIES
$15,000CONTRIBUTION
YOUR CHOICE FOUNDATION
$15,000CHARITABLE
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHURCH
$15,000CONTRIBUTION
CENTRAL IOWA FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIA
$10,000CONTRIBUTION
MONKS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
$10,000CHARITABLE
PULSE LIFE ADVOCATES
$10,000CHARITABLE
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$10,000CONTRIBUTION
MID IOWA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMER
$10,000CONTRIBUTION
PUPPY JAKE FOUNDATION
$5,000CONTRIBUTION
NEWMAN CENTER TRUST ACCOUNT
$3,000CONTRIBUTION
ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$70,000CONTRIBUTION
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES
$63,600CONTRIBUTION
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES
$63,500CONTRIBUTION
IOWA CATHOLIC RADIO
$50,000CHARITABLE
XAVIER MISSION FUND
$50,000CHARITABLE
NET MINISTRIES INC
$50,000CONTRIBUTION
GRANDVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$50,000CHARITABLE
GRANDVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$50,000CHARITABLE
IOWA CATHOLIC RADIO
$50,000CHARITABLE
NET MINISTRIES INC
$50,000CONTRIBUTION
BLESSMAN INTERNATIONAL
$40,000CONTRIBUTION
DES MOINES COUNCIL SOCIETY ST VINCENT
$40,000CONTRIBUTION