Burnett Family Foundation
The Burnett Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its 2025 filing reports 13 grants totaling $1,176,994, including support for the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation, Blank Park Zoo, and other organizations.
Key facts about Burnett Family Foundation
In short: Burnett Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $91K), mostly in Iowa. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 42-1482240
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,176,994
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- Average grant
- $90,538
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (4 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $3,130,328
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
-25.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+472.7% YoY
Grant Count
13
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$91K
+428.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Burnett Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $196K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Burnett Family Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 12 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $134K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 800% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 603% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including community philanthropy, parks and conservation, arts and culture, food assistance, shelter services, and health-related causes.
The Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation describes its mission as developing and executing a master plan for Water Works Park that combines recreation, education, and conservation with clean-water production. The Food Bank of Iowa says it receives, warehouses, and distributes salvageable food to nonprofit member agencies serving people in need. Central Iowa Shelter & Services describes its work as providing emergency and transitional shelter, meals, and resource assistance to homeless adults.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $1,176,994. The reported grant amounts ranged from $250 to $650,000, with a median of $10,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $650,000 and $345,544 to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, both for general support; $100,000 to Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation; $25,000 to Blank Park Zoo; and $20,000 to Des Moines Symphony. Other reported grants included $10,000 each to Variety Club of Iowa and Food Bank of Iowa, and $5,000 each to John Stoddard Cancer Center and Central Iowa Shelter Services.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Burnett Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to Iowa recipients and less than 1% to New York recipients. The listed grants include a $1,200 award to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in New York, New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2019) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines ($996K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 49 (84%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Des Moines, IA | General Support | $650,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Des Moines, IA | General Support | $345,544 |
| Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation Des Moines, IA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Blank Park Zoo Des Moines, IA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Des Moines Symphony Des Moines, IA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Variety Club of Iowa Des Moines, IA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Food Bank of Iowa Des Moines, IA | General Support | $10,000 |
| John Stoddard Cancer Center Des Moines, IA | General Support | $5,000 |
| Central Iowa Shelter Services Des Moines, IA | General Support | $5,000 |
| Easter Seals - Iowa Des Moines, IA | General Support | $2,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,130,328 | $152,067 | $1,203,151 | $1,176,994 |
| 2024 | $4,176,132 | $156,236 | $240,852 | $205,500 |
| 2023 | $4,260,744 | $82,795 | $243,351 | $209,500 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,130,328 | $4,176,132 | $4,260,744 |
| Revenue | $152,067 | $156,236 | $82,795 |
| Expenses | $1,203,151 | $240,852 | $243,351 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,180,702 | $215,694 | $220,279 |
| Net Investment Income | $129,617 | $131,078 | $74,176 |
| Distributable Amount | $195,818 | $228,898 | $213,036 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Robert A Burnett Jr, Gregory Van Burnett, Douglas Worth Burnett, Penelope Gloria Burnett, David Mark Burnett, and H Stephen Burnett.
Burnett Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Mark Burnett
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Douglas Worth Burnett
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Gregory Van Burnett
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
H. Stephen Burnett
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Penelope Gloria Burnett
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Robert A. Burnett Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 300 Walnut Street Suite 270, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 244-3069
Frequently asked questions about Burnett Family Foundation
How much does Burnett Family Foundation give each year?
Burnett Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $206K across 12 grants.
What is Burnett Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Burnett Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $90,538, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Burnett Family Foundation that year got $27K on average.
Where does Burnett Family Foundation give grants?
Burnett Family Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (11 grants).
Does Burnett Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Burnett Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Burnett Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Burnett Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines ($995,544 across 2 grants), Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation ($100,000) and Blank Park Zoo ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Burnett Family Foundation?
Burnett Family Foundation reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $196K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Burnett Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including community philanthropy, parks and conservation, arts and culture, food assistance, shelter services, and health-related causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Burnett Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Burnett Family Foundation's EIN?
Burnett Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1482240. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Burnett Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Burnett Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Burnett Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Meredith Corporation Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The foundation funds education, human services for families and children at risk, and arts and culture, with particular interest in arts groups reaching broader audiences. Recent grants were all in Iowa and ranged from $10,000 to $315,000, with a median of $12,500. It accepts written requests during January 15–March 15 and July 15–September 15; telephone requests are not accepted.
Assets
$24.6M
Grants
12
Total Given
$600K
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines F/K/a Greater Des Moines Community Fdn
Des Moines, IA
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines supports projects that improve quality of life in Greater Des Moines, including housing and transportation access, health, economic opportunity, inclusive communities, and nonprofit capacity-building. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $12,900, though awards ranged from roughly $5,000 to $7.34 million.
Assets
$918.7M
Grants
1,259
Total Given
$55.7M
Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino Inc
Altoona, IA
Prairie Meadows supports Iowa nonprofits in arts and culture, education, economic development, human services, and youth sports and recreation; Legacy grants focus on large-scale projects in central Iowa. Its programs offer $100–$1 million for Legacy, $100–$99,999 for Community Betterment, and $1,000–$50,000 for Youth Sports and Recreation. It accepts applications through its online system; the 2026 deadline was February 27, 2026, and has passed.
Assets
$327.6M
Grants
409
Total Given
$33.0M
John Ruan Foundation Trust
Urbandale, IA
The John Ruan Foundation Trust funds a broad range of areas, including health, education, youth activities, sports and recreation, transportation, and arts and culture, with most 2025 funding going to Iowa and some to Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $1 million, with a median of $10,000. It accepts requests without a special form or deadline; contact John Ruan IV.
Assets
$100.2M
Grants
52
Total Given
$4.0M
Ita Group Foundation
West Des Moines, IA
The ITA Group Foundation funds community support, children’s health and services, senior meals, and arts and culture, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Iowa organizations, followed by Georgia and California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $115,315, with a median of $1,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$873K
Grants
114
Total Given
$381K
Gartner Family Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The foundation funds a broad range of work, including youth and family services, education, service dogs, parks, public information, and the arts, primarily in Iowa, with some support in Hawaii and elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $52,500, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) public charities; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
33
Total Given
$624K
Beatrice Renfield Foundation
New York, NY
The Beatrice Renfield Foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including education, environment, animal welfare, health, community, and culture, with most 2024 grant dollars going to New York and Connecticut. Its grants ranged from $100 to $102,500, with a median of $1,500; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$12.1M
Grants
90
Total Given
$733K
The Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation
Ankeny, IA
The foundation supports preselected charities working in areas including health, animal welfare, brain injury rehabilitation, children’s services, dental care, and support for women affected by exploitation; most 2025 grant dollars went to Iowa organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $75,000, with a median of $5,000. It states that it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
72
Total Given
$726K
Helen J and Thomas Nelson Urban Sr Charitable Foundation III
Des Moines, IA
Assets
$712K
Grants
43
Total Given
$68K
Pella Rolscreen Foundation
Pella, IA
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports charitable organizations working in education and community betterment, including civic, cultural, social, and physical-environment programs in communities where Pella Corporation employees live. Large grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 and typically cover no more than 25% of project costs; its 2024 grants had a median of $1,029. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities in communities where Pella has manufacturing plants.
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
433
Total Given
$1.9M
Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
West Des Moines, IA
The Iowa Health Care Association Foundation funds scholarships and career-education resources for employees of member long-term-care organizations and Iowa high school students pursuing long-term-care careers. Its typical giving level varies: it awarded 287 grants totaling about $4.1 million in 2024, and the listed high school scholarship is $2,000. Its programs focus on Iowa; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$329K
Grants
287
Total Given
$4.1M
More Funders in Iowa
Burnett Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?