Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr is a private foundation, based in Cedar Rapids, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 8 grants totaling $4.6M. Net investment income was $922K.
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr at a glance
In short: Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr gave $4.6M across 8 grants in 2021 (avg $569K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $4,551,771
- +2934.5% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 8
- +166.7% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $568,971
- +1037.9% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $630,253
- Primary geography
- Iowa (86% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation ($1.3M). Together the top 8 received $4.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 5 grants of 11 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2020) to $4.6M (2021). In 2021 it made 8 grants totaling $4.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Cedar Rapids, IA | To assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charities achieve their charitable mission, with equal designations for united way of east central Iowa and the ymca of the cedar rapids metropolitan area | $1,260,506 |
| Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA | $100,000 center for health & society facility, and $630,253 to assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charity achieve their charitable mission | $730,253 |
| Cedar Rapids Museum of Art Cedar Rapids, IA | To assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charity achieve their charitable mission | $630,253 |
| Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA | To assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charity achieve their charitable mission | $630,253 |
| Global Ministries United Methodist Church Atlanta, GA | To assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charity achieve their charitable mission | $630,253 |
| St Paul's United Methodist Church Cedar Rapids, IA | To assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charity achieve their charitable mission | $630,253 |
| United Way of East Central Iowa Inc Cedar Rapids, IA | To assist qualified 501(c)(3) public charity achieve their charitable mission | $25,000 |
| Linn County Historical Society DBA the History Center Cedar Rapids, IA | West gallery temporary exhibit to feature armstrong entrepreneurial contribution in Linn county history | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $935,295 | $4,591,309 | $4,551,771 | 8 | $4,566,445 | $922,445 | $172,121 |
| 2020 | $4,479,996 | $39,996 | $197,143 | $150,000 | 3 | — | $38,040 | $202,770 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr reported a distributable amount of $172K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr is led by Ron Olson, Trustee & Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Ron Olson
Trustee & Chair
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betty J. Good
Trustee & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles W. Gardner
Trustee & Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James E. Wasta
Trustee & Secretary
Secretary → Trustee & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Allsop
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan McDermott
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr
How much does Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr give each year?
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr gave $4.6M across 8 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $150K across 3 grants.
What is Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's typical grant size?
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's median grant in 2021 was $630,253, and its average grant was $568,971, across 8 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr give grants?
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr gives mostly in Iowa: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cedar Rapids, IA (6 grants).
Does Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's largest grantees?
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's largest 2021 grantees include Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation ($1,260,506), Coe College ($730,253) and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art ($630,253), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How much is Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr reported a distributable amount of $172K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's EIN?
Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-6503703. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 4, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work Esther & Robert Armstrong Charitable Tr funds
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