The Thomas & Linda Koehn Foundation concentrates major grants in the Des Moines metro, prioritizing local cultural, recreational and youth-serving institutions. Their giving heavily favors capital campaigns and facility improvements for science, botanical and park spaces while also providing sizable general operating support to youth sheltering and performing arts organizations. Grants are large and targeted, often funding visible community infrastructure and visitor-serving organizations that benefit the city’s quality of life.
A defining pattern of the Thomas & Linda Koehn Foundation is its repeated support for Des Moines civic assets through large capital gifts and operating grants. In 2025, the foundation committed $1 million to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens for infrastructure improvements and another $1 million to Friends of Des Moines Parks for the Gray’s Lake capital campaign and new playground construction. Those grants sit alongside major support for cultural institutions, youth services, and public amenities across the metro. The foundation’s recent giving shows a strong preference for organizations that shape daily life in the city: science education, parks, public art, arts performance, and sheltering services. Science Center of Iowa received both operating support in 2023 and a 2025 capital grant for new and refreshed exhibits, while Youth and Shelter Services received six-figure operating grants in consecutive years. Other major recipients include the Des Moines Symphony Association Foundation, Des Moines Public Art Foundation, and Des Moines Art Center Edmundson Art Foundation. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on visible community infrastructure and institutions that serve residents and visitors alike.
Capital projects are central to this foundation’s giving. It gave $1 million to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens for infrastructure improvements, and $750,000 to Science Center of Iowa for a capital campaign for new and refreshed exhibits. Parks and recreation also receive project support: Friends of Des Moines Parks was awarded $1 million for the Gray’s Lake capital campaign and new playground construction, plus $200,000 for McCrea Park. The foundation also funds arts and cultural access. Des Moines Public Art Foundation received $250,000 for acquisition of public art for the Des Moines airport terminal, while Des Moines Art Center Edmundson Art Foundation received $311,411 to support acquisition of artwork. In youth-serving work, it provided $100,000 to Bravo for transportation for school field trips to cultural institutions, linking students to museums and arts venues.
Typical grants are sizable: the p25 is $10,000, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $115,000, with several awards far above that range. The pattern includes repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, such as Science Center of Iowa, Youth and Shelter Services, Friends of Des Moines Parks, and the Des Moines Symphony Association Foundation. The foundation is a private foundation, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recent awards are mostly unrestricted operating support, but capital campaign and infrastructure grants are a recurring feature.
$5.4M
$63.1M
$6.4M
$5.6M
Most grants fall between $10K and $115K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$115K
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Highly concentrated local giving: few but very large grants focused on capital projects and facilities, with occasional operating support. The foundation prefers sizable, visible investments in local institutions, makes repeat or multi-installment funding to key projects, and limits breadth in favor of depth within the Des Moines area.
Notable grantees: Science Center of Iowa, Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, Friends of Des Moines Parks, Youth and Shelter Services, Des Moines Metro Opera Foundation
The foundation gives primarily in Iowa, with 74% of grants going to recipients in its HQ state. Des Moines is the main center of activity, with grants to organizations such as Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, Friends of Des Moines Parks, Iowa Public Radio, and the Des Moines Art Center Edmundson Art Foundation. Outside Des Moines, recent grants also reached Ames, Johnston, Indianola, and Ankeny. All recent grants in the provided data went to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants go mainly to cultural, recreational, youth-serving, and civic institutions in the Des Moines area. Examples in the data include botanical gardens, parks groups, science education, performing arts, public art, and youth sheltering services.
It supports both. Recent grants include capital campaign and infrastructure funding for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, Friends of Des Moines Parks, and Science Center of Iowa, alongside many general operating grants to arts, youth, and community organizations.
The grant-size distribution shows a p25 of $10,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $115,000. Recent awards also include several larger commitments of $250,000 to $1,000,000.
It gives most often in Iowa, and 74% of its grants go to recipients in its HQ state. Recent Iowa recipients include organizations in Des Moines, Ames, Johnston, Indianola, and Ankeny.
Yes. The data shows multi-year support for several recipients, including Science Center of Iowa, Youth and Shelter Services, Friends of Des Moines Parks, and the Des Moines Symphony Association Foundation, with awards appearing in more than one year.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $1,400,000 | 2026 | NEW HORIZONS FUND. COMMUNITY BETTERMENT PROJECT GRANTS |
| VANGUARD CHARTIABLE | WARWICK, RI | $1,150,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $602,000 | 2026 | LEADERSHIP GRANT FUND, OPPORTUNITY ACTIVATION FUND, AVENUE SCHOLARS |
| DENTAL CONNECTIONS | DES MOINES, IA | $575,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BY DEGREES FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $400,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $278,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NAPLES CHILDREN & EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NAPLES, FL | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| PRIMARY HEALTHCARE | DES MOINES, IA | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DRAKE UNIVERSITY | DES MOINES, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | JOHANSEN STUDENT CENTER |
| DES MOINES METRO OPERA FOUNDATION | INDIANOLA, IA | $84,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WESLEY LIFE MEALS ON WHEELS | JOHNSTON, IA | $78,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| VARIETY CHILDRENS CHARITY OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| HERITAGE CAROUSEL OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION | PALMETTO BAY, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CITIZENS FOR COMMUNITY BETTERMENT | DES MOINES, IA | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WHITNEY MUSEUM NATIONAL COMMIT | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| FEEDING DREAMS | NAPLES, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WOMEN' FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY | NAPLES, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| IOWA POETRY FOUNDATION | EARLHAM, IA | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| HEALTH NETWORK FOUNDATION | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDENS | DES MOINES, IA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS |
| FRIENDS OF DES MOINES PARKS | DES MOINES, IA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GRAY'S LAKE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - NEW PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION |
| SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $750,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR NEW AND REFRESHED EXHIBITS |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER EDMUNDSON ART FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $311,411 | 2025 | SUPPORT ACQUISITION OF ARTWORK |
| NAPLES CHILDREN & EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NAPLES, FL | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $250,000 | 2025 | CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT ACQUISITION OF PUBLIC ART FOR DES MOINES AIRPORT TERMINAL |
| DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| AVENUE SCHOLARS | DES MOINES, IA | $147,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| PRIMARY HEALTHCARE | DES MOINES, IA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BRAVO | DES MOINES, IA | $100,000 | 2025 | TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS |
| ELLIPSIS | DES MOINES, IA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DENTAL CONNECTIONS | DES MOINES, IA | $67,278 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| VARIETY CHILDRENS CHARITY OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES METRO OPERA FOUNDATION | INDIANOLA, IA | $51,250 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA | NAPLES, FL | $51,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CORNELL COLLEGE | MOUNT VERNON, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WHITNEY MUSEUM NATIONAL COMMIT | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BALLET DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN | NAPLES, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ARTIS - NAPLES | NAPLES, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| SIMPSON COLLEGE | INDIANOLA, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| IOWA POETRY FOUNDATION | EARLHAM, IA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| BAKER SENIOR CENTER | NAPLES, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
NEW HORIZONS FUND. COMMUNITY BETTERMENT PROJECT GRANTS
VANGUARD CHARTIABLE
$1,150,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
LEADERSHIP GRANT FUND, OPPORTUNITY ACTIVATION FUND, AVENUE SCHOLARS
NAPLES CHILDREN & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
$100,000JOHANSEN STUDENT CENTER
DES MOINES METRO OPERA FOUNDATION
$84,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
HERITAGE CAROUSEL OF DES MOINES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CITIZENS FOR COMMUNITY BETTERMENT
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
WHITNEY MUSEUM NATIONAL COMMIT
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
DES MOINES ART CENTER
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
WOMEN' FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
IOWA POETRY FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDENS
$1,000,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
FRIENDS OF DES MOINES PARKS
$1,000,000GRAY'S LAKE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - NEW PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION
DES MOINES ART CENTER EDMUNDSON ART FOUNDATION
$311,411SUPPORT ACQUISITION OF ARTWORK
DES MOINES PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION
$250,000CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT ACQUISITION OF PUBLIC ART FOR DES MOINES AIRPORT TERMINAL
AVENUE SCHOLARS
$147,100GENERAL OPERATING FUND
BRAVO
$100,000TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
DES MOINES METRO OPERA FOUNDATION
$51,250GENERAL OPERATING FUND
CORNELL COLLEGE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
DES MOINES ART CENTER
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
WHITNEY MUSEUM NATIONAL COMMIT
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
ARTIS - NAPLES
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
IOWA POETRY FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND