The Roy J Carver Charitable Trust concentrates its giving on higher education and biomedical/healthcare investments in Iowa, overwhelmingly channeling support to the University of Iowa for neuroscience and medical purposes while also funding local health facility construction in Muscatine. Its grants emphasize institutional capital and program support for medical research and clinical infrastructure rather than a broad array of social causes.
The Roy J Carver Charitable Trust makes some of its largest recent grants through repeated payouts to the University of Iowa for the Iowa Neuroscience Institute and Carver College of Medicine. That pattern runs across multiple years, with six- and seven-figure support directed to medical research, instructional infrastructure, and related campus needs. Alongside those university commitments, the Trust has also backed local health and community projects in Muscatine, including a new health facility and housing support through a community foundation. The Trust’s grantmaking shows a clear preference for institutional projects rather than small, scattered awards. Recent support includes major funding for biomedical research in respiratory and pulmonary engineering, advanced microscopy and mass spectrometry equipment, and facilities tied to teaching and research. It also supports libraries, museums, and educational spaces when those projects fit its Iowa-centered priorities. A smaller but visible slice of the portfolio goes to scholarships and student support, especially within higher education. Across these grants, the Trust consistently backs organizations that can use capital, equipment, or program dollars to strengthen long-term institutional capacity.
Biomedical and neuroscience research is central to the Trust’s recent giving. It provided $3,450,000 to University of Iowa Foundation for the Carver College of Medicine payout, and $1,000,000 to the University of Iowa to extend a coronavirus research pilot grant program. The Trust also funds scientific instrumentation. It gave $605,981 to the University of Illinois for an advanced microscope, $500,000 for advanced mass spectrometry equipment, and $419,973 for advanced flow cytometry equipment. Higher education infrastructure is another recurring area. Grants include $850,000 to the University of Iowa for Hardin Library renovation and $500,000 to the University of Iowa Foundation to assist with relocation and renovation. Beyond campuses, it supports public-facing education projects, such as $500,000 to the Hoover Presidential Foundation for museum renovation and $450,000 to Living History Farms for a building renovation to create an educational center.
Typical awards cluster in the middle-to-large range: the p25 grant is $16,000, the median is $60,000, and the p75 is $196,771. The Trust also makes occasional much larger commitments, especially to universities and capital projects. Its recent grants show repeated support to the same institutions over several years, particularly the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The Trust is a charitable trust, not a donor-advised fund, and it accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry and proposals for several program areas, including medical and scientific research, higher education, youth programs, and libraries.
Financiamiento actual y próximo de Roy J Carver Charitable Trust al que tu organización sin fines de lucro podría postularse.
¿Quién puede postularse? The Trust offers directed support for community libraries; awards are made to IRS-designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and generally support projects in Iowa.
$17.4M
$241.5M
$25.4M
$21.6M
Most grants fall between $16K and $197K, with a median of $60K.
25th Percentile
$16K
Median
$60K
75th Percentile
$197K
About 86% of grants go to recipients in IA.
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Highly concentrated and in-state: a small number of large grants with heavy reliance on repeat, multi-year support to a single flagship recipient (University of Iowa), plus occasional targeted capital gifts to local health partners.
Notable grantees: University of Iowa (Iowa Neuroscience Institute / Carver College of Medicine), Trinity Muscatine Foundation, Iowa Neuroscience Institute (designated University of Iowa program)
Giving is heavily concentrated in Iowa: 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Iowa is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipients include Iowa City, Muscatine, Ames, West Branch, Davenport, Milford, and Urbandale. The Trust also gives in parts of Illinois, with several grants landing in Urbana. All recorded recipient-country data is in the United States.
Recent grants and active programs point to biomedical and scientific research, higher education, libraries, and youth recreation. The largest awards in the recent list go to University of Iowa medical and engineering work, while the active grant programs also include Iowa public libraries and scholarship support.
Yes. Its active programs state that it accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry and proposals for general competitive grants, medical and scientific research grants, higher education grants, youth recreational programs, and Iowa public library grant awards.
The Trust’s typical award sits between $16,000 at the 25th percentile and $196,771 at the 75th percentile, with a median grant size of $60,000. Recent awards also include several seven-figure gifts to university and health projects.
Iowa receives the overwhelming share of grants, with 86% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Iowa recipients include Iowa City, Muscatine, Ames, Davenport, West Branch, Milford, and Urbandale.
Its recent higher-education giving includes support for the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine, the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, and library and renovation projects, plus equipment purchases at the University of Illinois and Iowa State University. The active scholarship programs also show an interest in undergraduate and graduate support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
¿Quién puede postularse? Awards are made to IRS-designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations; generally for projects in Iowa and portions of Illinois. The Trust does not generally provide annual operating support or endowments.
¿Quién puede postularse? Awards are made to IRS-designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations; generally for projects in Iowa and portions of Illinois. The Trust does not generally provide annual operating support or endowments.
¿Quién puede postularse? Awards are made to IRS-designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations; generally for projects in Iowa and portions of Illinois. The Trust does not generally provide annual operating support or endowments.
¿Quién puede postularse? Awards are made to IRS-designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations; generally for projects in Iowa and portions of Illinois. The Trust does not generally provide annual operating support or endowments.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $3,450,000 | 2026 | CCOM - DIRECT THE 2025 GIFT PAYOUT F |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $1,500,000 | 2026 | CCOM - DIRECT THE 2025 GIFT PAYOUT - |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $855,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FACILITY NEEDS IN HYDRAULIC |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER MUS | MUSCATINE, IA | $850,000 | 2026 | HOUSING FOR IMPOVERISHED FAMILIES |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY | AMES, IA | $750,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE AN ADVANCED DEVICE FOR PROT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $595,957 | 2026 | UPGRADE AN ADVANCED LIGHT MICROSCOPE |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $500,000 | 2026 | ASSIST WITH RELOCATION AND RENOVATIO |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $425,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DESIGNE |
| MUSCATINE CENTER FOR SOCIAL ACTION | MUSCATINE, IA | $400,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCT A FACILITY FOR PERMANENT S |
| YOUTH AND SHELTER SERVICES INC | AMES, IA | $300,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCT A VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACI |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $275,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE SIMULATION EQUIPMENT FOR US |
| MUSCATINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDAT | MUSCATINE, IA | $250,000 | 2026 | EXPAND A BUILDING USED IN INDUSTRIAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | ACQUIRE EQUIPMENT FOR PHYSICAL SCIEN |
| GRINNELL COLLEGE | GRINNELL, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO AN ENVIRONME |
| LUTHER COLLEGE | DECORAH, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT |
| ADAIR COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM | GREENFIELD, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT RECONSTRUCTION AND REOPENING |
| WARTBURG COLLEGE | WAVERLY, IA | $185,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT A CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY IMPRO |
| DRAKE UNIVERSITY | DES MOINES, IA | $175,000 | 2026 | RENOVATE A LABORATORY FOR WATER QUAL |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY | AMES, IA | $150,000 | 2026 | IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EXIS |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $150,000 | 2026 | INVESTIGATE BACTERIA DERIVED SUBSTAN |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $150,000 | 2026 | DEVELOP NEW CONTRAST AGENTS FOR USE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $150,000 | 2026 | UNDERSTAND HOW HUMAN CELLS PRODUCE T |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $150,000 | 2026 | STUDY THE MOLECULAR BASIS FOR WHY CE |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $150,000 | 2026 | STUDY OBESITY-INDUCED INSULIN RESIST |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $149,913 | 2026 | STUDY HOW BLOOD AND IMMUNE CELLS INF |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $146,646 | 2026 | DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN P |
| FAMILY RESOURCES INC | DAVENPORT, IA | $146,400 | 2026 | EXPAND A SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $145,860 | 2026 | INVESTIGATE NEW METHODS OF OVERCOMIN |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $139,858 | 2026 | IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS OF GENE THERAP |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $135,882 | 2026 | MODERNIZE THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES M |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $135,000 | 2026 | STUDY NEURONAL NETWORKS IN THE MANIF |
| SIMPSON COLLEGE | INDIANOLA, IA | $135,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH SCIEN |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $134,500 | 2026 | CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $134,500 | 2026 | CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $134,500 | 2026 | CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $133,980 | 2026 | IDENTIFY POTENTIAL THERAPIES FOR TRE |
| NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE | ORANGE CITY, IA | $130,000 | 2026 | MODERNIZE A LABORATORY FOR NURSING E |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $124,353 | 2026 | EXPAND AN ESTABLISHED TESTING PROGRA |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $122,500 | 2026 | CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $122,500 | 2026 | CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $122,500 | 2026 | CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $121,831 | 2026 | DEVELOP PEDIATRIC FRIENDLY ORAL SOLI |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY | AMES, IA | $121,055 | 2026 | INVESTIGATE HOW IMMUNE CELLS REGULAT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $120,773 | 2026 | STUDY BASIC MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $120,759 | 2026 | DEVELOP A NEW METHOD FOR ISOLATING R |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $119,464 | 2026 | TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL VIR |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $109,050 | 2026 | DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CATALOGUE OF |
| MUSCATINE COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD | MUSCATINE, IA | $100,505 | 2026 | UPDATE EXHIBITS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL |
| FIRST TEE - QUAD CITIES | MOLINE, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCT A CLASSROOM FOR YOUTH INST |
| FOUR OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SER | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | ENHANCE SECURITY AT RESIDENTIAL TREA |
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$3,450,000CCOM - DIRECT THE 2025 GIFT PAYOUT F
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$1,500,000CCOM - DIRECT THE 2025 GIFT PAYOUT -
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$855,000SUPPORT FACILITY NEEDS IN HYDRAULIC
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER MUS
$850,000HOUSING FOR IMPOVERISHED FAMILIES
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
$750,000PURCHASE AN ADVANCED DEVICE FOR PROT
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$595,957UPGRADE AN ADVANCED LIGHT MICROSCOPE
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$500,000ASSIST WITH RELOCATION AND RENOVATIO
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$425,000PURCHASE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DESIGNE
MUSCATINE CENTER FOR SOCIAL ACTION
$400,000CONSTRUCT A FACILITY FOR PERMANENT S
YOUTH AND SHELTER SERVICES INC
$300,000CONSTRUCT A VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACI
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT
$275,000PURCHASE SIMULATION EQUIPMENT FOR US
MUSCATINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDAT
$250,000EXPAND A BUILDING USED IN INDUSTRIAL
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT
$200,000ACQUIRE EQUIPMENT FOR PHYSICAL SCIEN
GRINNELL COLLEGE
$200,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO AN ENVIRONME
LUTHER COLLEGE
$200,000SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT
ADAIR COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM
$200,000SUPPORT RECONSTRUCTION AND REOPENING
WARTBURG COLLEGE
$185,000SUPPORT A CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY IMPRO
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
$175,000RENOVATE A LABORATORY FOR WATER QUAL
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
$150,000IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EXIS
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$150,000INVESTIGATE BACTERIA DERIVED SUBSTAN
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$150,000DEVELOP NEW CONTRAST AGENTS FOR USE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$150,000UNDERSTAND HOW HUMAN CELLS PRODUCE T
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$150,000STUDY THE MOLECULAR BASIS FOR WHY CE
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$150,000STUDY OBESITY-INDUCED INSULIN RESIST
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$149,913STUDY HOW BLOOD AND IMMUNE CELLS INF
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT
$146,646DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN P
FAMILY RESOURCES INC
$146,400EXPAND A SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$145,860INVESTIGATE NEW METHODS OF OVERCOMIN
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$139,858IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS OF GENE THERAP
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$135,882MODERNIZE THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES M
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$135,000STUDY NEURONAL NETWORKS IN THE MANIF
SIMPSON COLLEGE
$135,000PURCHASE TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH SCIEN
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$134,500CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT
$134,500CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$134,500CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$133,980IDENTIFY POTENTIAL THERAPIES FOR TRE
NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE
$130,000MODERNIZE A LABORATORY FOR NURSING E
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$124,353EXPAND AN ESTABLISHED TESTING PROGRA
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA FOUNDAT
$122,500CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$122,500CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$122,500CARVER STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$121,831DEVELOP PEDIATRIC FRIENDLY ORAL SOLI
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
$121,055INVESTIGATE HOW IMMUNE CELLS REGULAT
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$120,773STUDY BASIC MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$120,759DEVELOP A NEW METHOD FOR ISOLATING R
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$119,464TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL VIR
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$109,050DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CATALOGUE OF
MUSCATINE COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD
$100,505UPDATE EXHIBITS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL
FIRST TEE - QUAD CITIES
$100,000CONSTRUCT A CLASSROOM FOR YOUTH INST
FOUR OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SER
$100,000ENHANCE SECURITY AT RESIDENTIAL TREA