Gartner Family Foundation
The Gartner Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including service dogs, youth and family services, education, public information, parks, and the arts.
Gartner Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Gartner Family Foundation gave $624K across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Iowa. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $624,000
- +9.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,909
- +9.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $7,356,132
- -4.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (5 of 29, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (78% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Gartner Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says applications should include all necessary information about the grant’s purpose, applicant contact information, and proof of 501(c)(3) public charity status. Grants are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations that are not private foundations.
- Contact
Application contact: Gartner Family Foundation
Mailing address: 100 Market Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 279-6155
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gartner Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Assistance Dogs of Hawaii ($103K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $463K.
Grant Size Distribution
169 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 150 grants of 169 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to Iowa recipients (78%) and Hawaii recipients (16%). Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and New York each accounted for 2%, 2%, and 1%, respectively.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Gartner Family Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 29 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $437K (2020) to $624K (2024). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $624K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Assistance Dogs of Hawaii Makawao, HI | Development of Service Dogs | $52,500 |
| Assistance Dogs of Hawaii Makawao, HI | Development of Service Dogs | $50,000 |
| Central Presbyterian Church Des Moines, IA | General Fund Pledge | $50,000 |
| Gray's Lake Park Playground and Sprayground Fund Des Moines, IA | Fund to replace playground equipment and addition of new sprayground at gray's lake park | $50,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Des Moines, IA | Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Youth and Shelter Services Des Moines, IA | Fund to provide support for youth and their families | $50,000 |
| Alliance for a Better Iowa Education Fund Des Moines, IA | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Blank Park Zoo Des Moines, IA | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Des Moines University Des Moines, IA | Support Education of Medical Students | $25,000 |
| Iowa Freedom of Information Council Des Moines, IA | Support of Open Records and Information | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gartner Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,356,132 | $503,127 | $662,482 | $624,000 | 33 | $651,250 | $491,902 | $663,976 |
| 2023 | $7,701,088 | $864,391 | $624,858 | $568,800 | 33 | $596,420 | $390,164 | $576,908 |
| 2022 | $7,429,440 | $831,436 | $668,373 | $620,520 | 41 | $647,581 | $820,664 | $592,976 |
| 2021 | $7,212,377 | $1,051,840 | $544,015 | $501,690 | 32 | $501,690 | $540,475 | $589,726 |
| 2020 | $6,894,334 | $1,516,493 | $465,968 | $436,750 | 30 | — | $279,764 | $447,230 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gartner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $664K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Assistance Dogs of Hawaii says it helps people with disabilities gain independence through partnerships with trained dogs. Youth and Shelter Services describes its work as providing prevention, education, treatment, and residential services to youth and families. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden says its mission is “exploring, explaining and celebrating the world of plants.” Drake University describes its mission as preparing students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship; Des Moines Metro Opera says it creates theatrical experiences and learning opportunities for artists and audiences.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 33 grants totaling $624,000 in 2024, compared with 33 grants totaling $568,800 in 2023 and 41 grants totaling $620,520 in 2022. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $52,500, with a median of $10,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were two awards to Assistance Dogs of Hawaii for development of service dogs ($52,500 and $50,000); $50,000 each to Central Presbyterian Church for a general fund pledge, the Gray’s Lake Park Playground and Sprayground Fund for playground equipment and a new sprayground, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for a capital campaign, and Youth and Shelter Services for support for youth and their families. Other listed awards included $25,000 each to the Alliance for a Better Iowa Education Fund, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines University, Iowa Freedom of Information Council (two grants), and Scattergood Friends School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael C. Gartner as president, Michael G. Gartner as treasurer, and Barbara M. Gartner as secretary. River M. Gartner and Michelle Gartner are listed as directors.
Gartner Family Foundation is led by Michael C. Gartner, Treasurer & President on every filing since 2020; 3 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael C. Gartner
Treasurer & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Michelle Gartner
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$10K (2021) → $10K (2024)
River M. Gartner
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$10K (2021) → $10K (2024)
Barbara M. Gartner
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Melissa M. Gartner (2020) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $10K, to Michael C Gartner (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gartner Family Foundation
How much does Gartner Family Foundation give each year?
Gartner Family Foundation gave $624K across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $569K across 33 grants.
What is Gartner Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Gartner Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $18,909, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gartner Family Foundation that year got $26K on average.
Where does Gartner Family Foundation give grants?
Gartner Family Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Hawaii (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (19 grants), Makawao, HI (2 grants), West Branch, IA (2 grants) and Indianola, IA (2 grants).
Does Gartner Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Gartner Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 33) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gartner Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Gartner Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Assistance Dogs of Hawaii ($102,500 across 2 grants), Central Presbyterian Church ($50,000) and Gray's Lake Park Playground and Sprayground Fund ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gartner Family Foundation?
Gartner Family Foundation reported $7.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $651K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $664K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Gartner Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Assistance Dogs of Hawaii says it helps people with disabilities gain independence through partnerships with trained dogs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gartner Family Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says applications should include all necessary information about the grant’s purpose, applicant contact information, and proof of 501(c)(3) public charity status. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gartner Family Foundation's EIN?
Gartner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1422699. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gartner Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gartner-family-foundation-morg_81945082d3fe4120aa33ef93a60c72ae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421422699_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gartner Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gartner-family-foundation-morg_81945082d3fe4120aa33ef93a60c72ae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Gartner Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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