Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation is a private foundation, based in Des Moines, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $653K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $79K. Net investment income was $126K.
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation at a glance
In short: Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation gave $79K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $79,000
- +68.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,875
- +68.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $653,188
- +31.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Iowa (87% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden ($45K). Together the top 8 received $79K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 26 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation gives
- Giving grew 163% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 199% of 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2023) to $79K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $79K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Des Moines, IA | To assist in funding culture and botony in the greater des moines area | $45,000 |
| Des Moines Performing Arts Des Moines, IA | To assist in funding culture and fine arts in the greater des moines area | $12,000 |
| Des Moines Art Center Des Moines, IA | To assist in funding culture and fine arts in the greater des moines area | $5,000 |
| Des Moines Community Playhouse Des Moines, IA | To assist in funding culture and fine arts in the greater des moines area | $5,000 |
| Fordham University New York, NY | To support culture and humanities for students of fordham university | $5,000 |
| Marsha P Johnson Institute Richmond, CA | To assist in raising awareness for issues surrounding the lgbqt community | $5,000 |
| Iowa Public Radio Des Moines, IA | To assist in funding culture and fine arts in the greater des moines area | $1,000 |
| Iowa Public Television Johnston, IA | To assist in funding culture and fine arts in the greater des moines area | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $653,188 | $356,621 | $201,243 | $79,000 | 8 | $79,000 | $125,787 | $39,605 |
| 2024 | $497,810 | $84,378 | $65,063 | $47,000 | 8 | $47,000 | $32,478 | $34,870 |
| 2023 | $478,495 | $62,348 | $16,266 | $15,000 | 2 | $15,000 | $2,877 | $27,631 |
| 2022 | $432,413 | $7,781 | $31,254 | $30,000 | 4 | $30,000 | $2,756 | $25,675 |
| 2021 | $455,886 | $201,232 | $34,350 | $33,000 | 4 | $33,000 | $1,766 | $19,152 |
| 2020 | $289,004 | $289,174 | $170 | — | — | — | — | $6,554 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation reported a distributable amount of $40K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation is led by Melinda Ruperto, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Melinda Ruperto
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Ruperto
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Ruperto
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Ruperto
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation
How much does Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation give each year?
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation gave $79K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $47K across 8 grants.
What is Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's typical grant size?
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,875, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation give grants?
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (6%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (5 grants).
Does Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's largest grantees?
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden ($45,000), Des Moines Performing Arts ($12,000) and Des Moines Art Center ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation?
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation reported $653K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $79K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $40K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's EIN?
Melinda and Charles Ruperto Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2670541. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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