The Krause Gentle Foundation concentrates its giving locally in the Des Moines area, making large, multi-grant investments in a small set of organizations that serve community welfare, faith-based institutions, and ethnic arts. Its grants are often campaign or capital-style gifts and repeat payments to a few core partners, signaling focused long-term relationships rather than one-off, broad-based philanthropy. The foundation’s priorities emphasize community betterment via United Way, support for the Roman Catholic Diocese, and backing for Italian-American cultural programming.
A defining feature of Krause Gentle Foundation’s recent giving is its repeated support for a small circle of Des Moines institutions through campaign-style and community-focused grants. The largest recent award in the data was $360,931 to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines for a campaign gift, followed by a $355,250 campaign gift to United Way of Central Iowa in 2025. Those two organizations, along with the Italian American Cultural Center, appear as core partners across multiple years, suggesting a pattern of sustained institutional support rather than broad, one-time philanthropy. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches beyond the city core into nearby West Des Moines and Iowa City, but the center of gravity remains local and relationship-based. Its portfolio includes community betterment, faith-based institutions, arts and cultural preservation, education, and university athletics, with several grants tied to capital campaigns or program support. That mix shows a funder working through established nonprofit anchors to strengthen civic, religious, and cultural life in Central Iowa.
In community betterment and human services, the foundation gave $287,949 to United Way of Central Iowa for community betterment in 2024 and $251,696 for the same purpose in 2023. Faith-based support is another clear strand: it awarded $287,654 to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines in 2024 for faith and $103,200 in 2023 for faith, alongside later gifts to St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and St Francis of Assisi Church and School in West Des Moines. Arts and culture support includes $202,211 to the Italian American Cultural Center in 2024 for community betterment and $200,437 in 2025 for arts, culture, humanities, plus $34,881 to Ballet Des Moines in 2025. Education appears through annual support to Dowling Catholic High School and grants to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
Typical grants are modest for this foundation’s overall portfolio, with a p25 of $250, a median of $1,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent-grants list also shows a small number of much larger campaign and operating gifts, which pull the average above the median. Several recipients recur across multiple years, including United Way of Central Iowa, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, the Italian American Cultural Center, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Dowling Catholic High School, and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. The foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$6.5M
$0
$118K
$6.5M
Most grants fall between $250 and $5K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$250
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Highly concentrated: few large grants and repeated payments to a small number of grantees (three organizations account for the bulk of funding). Predominantly capital/campaign or program support rather than many small awards; strong local geographic focus and sustained partnerships.
Notable grantees: United Way of Central Iowa, Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Italian American Cultural Center
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Iowa: 81% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. The strongest cluster is Des Moines, where United Way of Central Iowa, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, the Italian American Cultural Center, and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines are all based. West Des Moines also appears repeatedly through St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St Francis of Assisi Church and School, Dowling Catholic High School, and Iowa Catholic Radio. Outside the Des Moines metro, Iowa City appears through the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, and one grant in the data went to New York, NY.
The foundation supports community betterment and human services, faith-based institutions, arts and cultural preservation, education, and university athletics. Recent grants show recurring support for United Way of Central Iowa, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, the Italian American Cultural Center, and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
Typical grant size is small relative to the largest awards in the recent-grants list: p25 is $250, median is $1,000, and p75 is $5,000. The distribution is skewed by larger campaign and operating gifts to a small set of core organizations.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years, including United Way of Central Iowa, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, the Italian American Cultural Center, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Dowling Catholic High School, and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
Most grants go to Iowa, with 81% of grants awarded to recipients in the HQ state. The largest concentration is in Des Moines, with additional recurring grants in West Des Moines and Iowa City.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KYLE J & SHARON KRAUSE FAMILY FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $6,439,148 | 2026 | 507(B)(2) TRANSFER OF ASSETS |
| BALLET DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $34,431 | 2026 | ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| DIOCESE OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $3,600 | 2026 | FAITH |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $355,250 | 2025 | CAMPAIGN GIFT |
| ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $200,437 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $60,000 | 2025 | CAMPAIGN GIFT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT | IOWA CITY, IA | $50,065 | 2025 | CAMPAIGN GIFT FOR U OF I SOCCER |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BALLET DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $34,881 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH AND SCHOOL | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $26,500 | 2025 | FAITH |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $12,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT | IOWA CITY, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| IOWA CATHOLIC RADIO | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | FAITH |
| DIOCESE OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $3,600 | 2025 | FAITH |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | PONTIAC, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | FAITH |
| REGINA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $2,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER | OKOBOJI, IA | $2,500 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $1,100 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT | IOWA CITY, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CLARKE UNIVERSITY | DUBUQUE, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| THE BRIGHTSPRING HOSPICE FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| IOWA ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION | HAMPTON, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ST ANTHONY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| BROOKLYN ITALIAN YOUTH SOCCER CLUB | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| ON WITH LIFE | ANKENY, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| IOWA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $1,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EARLHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY | EARLHAM, IA | $500 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| FOOD BANK OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $500 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER | OKOBOJI, IA | $500 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $500 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| STEPHENS COLLEGE - OKOBOJI SUMMER THEATRE | OKOBOJI, IA | $500 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| VARIETY - THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY | DES MOINES, IA | $500 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| RABBIT RUN COMMUNITY ARTS ASSOCIATION | MADISON, OH | $500 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| BOONE AREA HUMANE SOCIETY | BOONE, IA | $250 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH | DES MOINES, IA | $250 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| FGH FOUNDATION | HATTIESBURG, MS | $250 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH | DES MOINES, IA | $250 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| DRAKE UNIVERSITY - TENNIS | DES MOINES, IA | $250 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| QUAD CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOC | DAVENPORT, IA | $250 | 2025 | MEMORIALS |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $287,949 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BETTERMENT |
| ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $287,654 | 2024 | FAITH |
| ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $202,211 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BETTERMENT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT | IOWA CITY, IA | $48,741 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BETTERMENT |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $26,400 | 2024 | FAITH |
KYLE J & SHARON KRAUSE FAMILY FOUNDATION
$6,439,148507(B)(2) TRANSFER OF ASSETS
BALLET DES MOINES
$34,431ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
DIOCESE OF DES MOINES
$3,600FAITH
ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
$200,437ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
CAMPAIGN GIFT
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT
$50,065CAMPAIGN GIFT FOR U OF I SOCCER
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH AND SCHOOL
$26,500FAITH
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$12,000EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT
$10,000EDUCATION
IOWA CATHOLIC RADIO
$5,000FAITH
DIOCESE OF DES MOINES
$3,600FAITH
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$3,000FAITH
REGINA FOUNDATION
$2,500EDUCATION
PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER
$2,500ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT
$1,000MEMORIALS
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$1,000EDUCATION
THE BRIGHTSPRING HOSPICE FOUNDATION
$1,000MEMORIALS
IOWA ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION
$1,000EDUCATION
ST ANTHONY FOUNDATION
$1,000MEMORIALS
BROOKLYN ITALIAN YOUTH SOCCER CLUB
$1,000MEMORIALS
EARLHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$500MEMORIALS
PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER
$500MEMORIALS
DES MOINES ART CENTER
$500MEMORIALS
STEPHENS COLLEGE - OKOBOJI SUMMER THEATRE
$500ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
VARIETY - THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY
$500MEMORIALS
RABBIT RUN COMMUNITY ARTS ASSOCIATION
$500MEMORIALS
BOONE AREA HUMANE SOCIETY
$250MEMORIALS
ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$250MEMORIALS
FGH FOUNDATION
$250MEMORIALS
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$250MEMORIALS
DRAKE UNIVERSITY - TENNIS
$250MEMORIALS
QUAD CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOC
$250MEMORIALS
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DES MOINES
$287,654FAITH
ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
$202,211COMMUNITY BETTERMENT
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
$26,400FAITH