The Golf Charitable Foundation of Greater Des Moines is a locally focused, general‑support funder that repeatedly underwrites arts and cultural institutions, faith‑based and private K–12 education, and core social services across the Des Moines region. Grants are routinely directed to operating support for performing arts organizations, community nonprofits that serve youth and basic needs, and a handful of religiously affiliated programs, signaling a preference for sustaining established local institutions rather than seed projects or national initiatives.
A striking feature of the Golf Charitable Foundation of Greater Des Moines is how consistently it uses general operating support to sustain established local institutions. In the recent grant list, that pattern shows up across arts, education, health, and human services, with large awards to organizations such as Clive Community Services for general operations and Quakerdale Family Services for general operations. The foundation also backs major cultural anchors in the Des Moines area, including Des Moines Metro Opera and Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, both funded for operating support. Those gifts sit alongside support for community-based nonprofits such as Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Childserve Foundation, and Mercyone House of Mercy. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on core organizational capacity rather than project-specific or one-time initiatives. Within that frame, the foundation repeatedly funds private and faith-linked schools, youth-serving programs, and basic-needs providers, suggesting a preference for maintaining the operating strength of institutions already serving Greater Des Moines residents. Its giving is local in scope and concentrated within Iowa.
Arts and culture are a clear part of the portfolio. The foundation gave $175,000 in 2023 and $105,000 in 2024 to Des Moines Metro Opera for general operations, and it also supported Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation with $106,000 in 2023 and $105,000 in 2024. Ballet Des Moines received $101,000 in 2024, while Iowa Stage Theatre Company also appears in the recent grants list. Education and youth development are another repeated theme. Cultureall Inc received $100,062 in 2023 and $100,032 in 2024 for general operations, and Genesis Youth Foundation received $100,000 in 2024. The foundation also funded Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Mid Iowa Council Boys for general operations, reinforcing its support for youth-facing organizations.
Grant sizes cluster tightly around the $100,000 mark: the 25th percentile is $96,239, and both the median and 75th percentile are $100,000. That distribution points to a steady, standardized approach to operating support rather than a wide spread of award sizes. The recent grants list also shows repeat support across years for several recipients, including Des Moines Metro Opera, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Childserve Foundation, Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Cultureall Inc, and Quakerdale Family Services. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its giving pattern is local and institutional, with recurring general support to established nonprofits.
$9.9M
$2.8M
$16.4M
$16.7M
Most grants fall between $96K and $100K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$96K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$100K
KEN MCCULLUM
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Tends to make large, repeat operating grants (many around $200k and often in two disbursements) to established local organizations; giving is geographically concentrated in the Des Moines metro with a distributed portfolio across arts, education, and basic‑needs service providers rather than many small exploratory grants.
Notable grantees: Des Moines Metro Opera, Ballet Des Moines, Food Bank of Iowa, Dowling Catholic High School, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Grantmaking is concentrated entirely in Iowa, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. The recipient list reaches across Greater Des Moines and nearby communities, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Clive, Ankeny, Indianola, St Charles, Marshalltown, and Dallas County-adjacent service areas. Named recipients such as Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation in Des Moines, Ballet Des Moines in West Des Moines, and Clive Community Services in Clive show the local footprint. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with no international grants in the recent data.
Its recent grants center on arts and culture, education and youth development, and core social services. Examples include Des Moines Metro Opera, Ballet Des Moines, Cultureall Inc, Genesis Youth Foundation, Oakridge Neighborhood Services, and Clive Community Services, all funded for general operations.
The recent grants list shows general operations as the dominant funding purpose across recipients. Awards such as the $213,749 grant to Clive Community Services and the repeated support for organizations like Quakerdale Family Services and Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation were all designated for general operations.
Yes. All recent grants in the data went to recipients in Iowa, and the recipient country distribution is 100% U.S. The list includes organizations in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Clive, Ankeny, Indianola, St Charles, and Marshalltown.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Des Moines Metro Opera, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Childserve Foundation, Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Cultureall Inc, and Quakerdale Family Services. The repeated awards are all general-operating grants.
Typical awards cluster very close to $100,000. The 25th percentile is $96,239, the median is $100,000, and the 75th percentile is also $100,000, which indicates a narrow and consistent giving range.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DES MOINES METRO OPERA | INDIANOLA, IA | $187,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $138,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | DES MOINES, IA | $137,600 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE ACTUARIAL FOUNDATION | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $137,600 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNECTION | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES VALLEY GOLF CLUB | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CAN PLAY | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GENESIS YOUTH FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER IOWA | URBANDALE, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MIRACLE TRAVEL WORKS | ANKENY, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE BUILD LINCOLN HIGHER BOOSTER CLUB | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION | EDINAS, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| YMCA OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN | CHICAGO, IL | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA HEALTHIEST STATE INITIATIVE | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CRADLING NEW LIFE | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MENTOR IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | IOWA CITY, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA STAGE THEATER COMPANY | AMES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HOMES OF OAKRIDGE HUMAN SERVICES | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MERCYONE HOUSE OF MERCY | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AVENUE SCHOLARS DES MOINES | COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VAREITY - THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA MEDIATION SERVICES | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WILDWOOD HILLS RANCH | ST CHARLES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HEARTLAND YOUTH CHOIR | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ETHNIC MINORITIES OF BURMA ADVOCACY RESOURCE CENTER OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HOYT SHERMAN PLACE FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES PARKS & REC FOUNDATION (FRIENDS OF DSM PARKS) | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ON WITH LIFE FOUNDATION | ANKENY, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREATER DES MOINES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BROADLAWNS MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MEALS FROM THE HEARTLAND | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA FFA FOUNDATION | ANKENY, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ASAP AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAM | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BALLET DES MOINES | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EASTERSEALS IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MERCYONE DES MOINES FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREATER DES MOINES PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA JOBS FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES (IJAG) | DES MOINES, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TORI'S ANGELS FOUNDATION | PANORA, IA | $137,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART | DUBUQUE, IA | $137,498 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JOSIAH WHITE QUAKERDALE | NEW PROVIDENCE, IA | $135,735 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOOD BANK OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $135,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FREESTORE INC | DES MOINES, IA | $135,315 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
DES MOINES METRO OPERA
$187,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
GENERAL OPERATIONS
DES MOINES VALLEY GOLF CLUB
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MIRACLE TRAVEL WORKS
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE BUILD LINCOLN HIGHER BOOSTER CLUB
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
CRADLING NEW LIFE
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MENTOR IOWA
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
IOWA STAGE THEATER COMPANY
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
AVENUE SCHOLARS DES MOINES
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
IOWA MEDIATION SERVICES
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
HEARTLAND YOUTH CHOIR
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
GENERAL OPERATIONS
GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREATER DES MOINES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
BROADLAWNS MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREATER DES MOINES PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
TORI'S ANGELS FOUNDATION
$137,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
JOSIAH WHITE QUAKERDALE
$135,735GENERAL OPERATIONS