Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation
The Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2015 by Bob Pulver, founder and CEO of All-State Industries, and his wife Deb. The foundation is based in West Des Moines, Iowa, and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designated for philanthropic, charitable, and educational purposes. Bob Pulver built All-State Industries from a conveyor belt distribution company founded in 1974 into a multi-state manufacturing business serving Fortune 100 companies across six states. Following Bob's passing in 2021, Deb Pulver continues to lead the foundation's philanthropic work.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.2M
+4.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$760K
+45.3% YoY
Grant Count
27
+17.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
+23.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation reported a distributable amount of $975K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's philanthropic focus reflects the Pulvers' lifelong commitment to children's healthcare, education, and community development. Based on documented grantmaking patterns, priority areas include:
- Children's Healthcare & Medical Research: Support for pediatric medical facilities and developmental services
- Education: Grants to educational institutions and academic research programs
- Arts & Culture: Support for community cultural programming and festivals
- Community Development: Initiatives benefiting Iowa communities and beyond
Grantmaking
The foundation operates a trustee-discretion grant-making program with no formal grant cycles or public application process.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $200,000
Review Cycle
or public application process.
How to Apply
.
Ready to take the next step with Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has primary geographic focus in Iowa, with some out-of-state grants. Funding extends to multiple states including Arizona, California, Missouri, and New York. Specific communities supported include Ames, Bronx, Clive, Davenport, Des Moines, Glendale, Iowa City, Phoenix, Redlands, Riverdale, San Tan Valley, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Urbandale, and West Des Moines.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $19.2 million
- Annual Revenue: $1.81 million
- Annual Expenses: $984,552
- Net Income: $825,344
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $18.3 million
- Total Revenue: $17.7 million
- Total Expenses: $671,999
- Annual Grants Distributed: $522,709–$525,000
The foundation has grown substantially from $37,041 in assets at inception in 2015 to over $19 million in current assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,194,441 | $18,329,343 | $1,269,406 |
| Revenue | $1,809,896 | $17,731,936 | $480,181 |
| Expenses | $984,552 | $671,999 | $484,874 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $772,520 | $525,234 | $465,529 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,301,208 | $242,745 | $23,236 |
| Distributable Amount | $974,695 | $467,458 | $41,422 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation ($250,000), Manhattan College ($200,000), Blank Park Zoo Foundation ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABOVE & BEYOND CANCER DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $10,500 |
| ARIZONA ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $1,000 |
| ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $5,000 |
| ARIZONA MUSICFEST SCOTTSDALE, AZ | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $2,500 |
| BLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $150,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $3,000 |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION - IOWA CHAPT WEST DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $2,500 |
| ELLIPSIS JOHNSTON, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $1,000 |
| FREEDOM FOR YOUTH DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $500 |
| GENESIS YOUTH FOUNDATION DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Debra L. Pulver: President/Director (serves without compensation)
- Sherry Wilkinson: Secretary/Treasurer/Director (serves without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBRA L PULVER | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHERRY WILKINSON | SEC/TREAS/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Blank Children's Hospital Recognition (May 2025):**
Blank Children's Hospital announced the naming of the Deb & Bob Pulver Center located at 4055 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The center houses the STAR & Developmental Center, a trauma-sensitive child and adolescent-friendly space offering wraparound services, and a developmental center providing evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for children with developmental needs. Bob Pulver served on the hospital's board of directors and played a pivotal role in the capital campaign for the new Blank Children's Hospital in 2000. He championed the creation of the developmental center and personally worked to identify best-in-class programs nationally.
Blank Children\u2019s Hospital names building in honor of Deb and Bob Pulver\**Iowa State University Recognition:**
The ISU College of Design honored Deb and Bob Pulver with the Christian Petersen Design Award.
ISU College of Design honors Deb and Bob Pulver with Christian Petersen Design**Educational Support:**
The foundation has supported student research initiatives, including funding for Colby College students' research programs.
Pulver funds will support 40 Colby students\u2019 research each yearSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation fund?
The foundation's philanthropic focus reflects the Pulvers' lifelong commitment to children's healthcare, education, and community development. Based on documented grantmaking patterns, priority areas include: • **Children's Healthcare & Medical Research**: Support for pediatric medical facilities and developmental services • **Education**: Grants to educational institutions and academic research programs • **Arts & Culture**: Support for community cultural programming and festivals • **Communit…
How do I apply for a grant from Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation?
The foundation operates a trustee-discretion grant-making program with no formal grant cycles or public application process. **Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $522,000–$525,000 • Number of grants: 20–23 awards annually • Grant range: $5,000 to $200,000 • Median grant size: $2,500 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Marymount Manhattan College: $200,000 • Iowa State University Foundation: $107,409 • Great Outdoors Foundation: $25,000 The foundation makes discretionary grants without p…
Where does Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation make grants?
The foundation has primary geographic focus in Iowa, with some out-of-state grants. Funding extends to multiple states including Arizona, California, Missouri, and New York. Specific communities supported include Ames, Bronx, Clive, Davenport, Des Moines, Glendale, Iowa City, Phoenix, Redlands, Riverdale, San Tan Valley, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Urbandale, and West Des Moines.
What size grants does Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation award?
In 2024, Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $760K — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation reported a distributable amount of $975K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation's EIN?
Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3734956. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Main Street Fort Dodge Inc
FORT DODGE, IA
Assets
$315K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
John & Beverly Anderson Charitable Trust
VINTON, IA
Assets
—
Grants
18
Total Given
$22K
Daniel J & Ann L Krumm Charitable Trus
AMES, IA
Assets
—
Grants
21
Total Given
$228K
Barbara Jean Couturier Charitable T
DAVENPORT, IA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Change Happens Foundation
URBANDALE, IA
Assets
$17.8M
Grants
12
Total Given
$255K
The Joseph Andres Family Foundation
OKOBOJI, IA
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$7K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation to a real strategy.