Merchant Foundation of Iowa
Merchant Foundation of Iowa is a private foundation, based in West Des Moines, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $36K.
Merchant Foundation of Iowa at a glance
In short: Merchant Foundation of Iowa gave $36K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $35,500
- -37.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -36.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,071
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $1,001
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Iowa (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Merchant Foundation of Iowa funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dmacc Foundation ($10K). Together the top 7 received $36K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Merchant Foundation of Iowa gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−17%). Method
- In 2023 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $34K (2020) to $67K (2022). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $36K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dmacc Foundation Ankeny, IA | Education | $10,000 |
| The World Food Prize Foundation Des Moines, IA | Research | $10,000 |
| Des Moines University Des Moines, IA | Education | $10,000 |
| Seghal Foundation Des Moines, IA | Education Andhuman Dev | $2,000 |
| United Pakistan Parade Des Moines, IA | Art & Education | $1,500 |
| Human Development Foundation Oak Brook, IL | Human Development | $1,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Committee Des Moines, IA | Art and Education | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Merchant Foundation of Iowa?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,001 | $35,000 | $35,500 | $35,500 | 7 | $35,500 | — |
| 2023 | $1,501 | $35,000 | $56,700 | $56,700 | 11 | $56,700 | $1,568 |
| 2022 | $23,201 | $40,000 | $66,820 | $66,820 | 11 | $66,820 | $2,593 |
| 2021 | — | $65,000 | $42,781 | $42,750 | 6 | $42,750 | $803 |
| 2020 | $27,802 | $61,000 | $34,198 | $34,000 | 8 | — | $722 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Merchant Foundation of Iowa's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kashaan S. Merchant
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shahbaz A. Merchant
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Merchant Foundation of Iowa
How much does Merchant Foundation of Iowa give each year?
Merchant Foundation of Iowa gave $36K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $57K across 11 grants.
What is Merchant Foundation of Iowa's typical grant size?
Merchant Foundation of Iowa's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $5,071, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Merchant Foundation of Iowa give grants?
Merchant Foundation of Iowa gives mostly in Iowa: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (5 grants).
Does Merchant Foundation of Iowa give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Merchant Foundation of Iowa's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Merchant Foundation of Iowa's largest grantees?
Merchant Foundation of Iowa's largest 2024 grantees include Dmacc Foundation ($10,000), The World Food Prize Foundation ($10,000) and Des Moines University ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Merchant Foundation of Iowa?
Merchant Foundation of Iowa reported $1K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $35K.
What is Merchant Foundation of Iowa's EIN?
Merchant Foundation of Iowa's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3509282. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merchant Foundation of Iowa's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The annual festival and related events are held to educate citizens about quality wines, local culinary offerings, and to showcase developing areas in the des moines area while raising funds for local charities.
Assets
$247K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
Simon Estes Foundation
Ankeny, IA
Assets
$965K
Grants
1
Total Given
$5K
Herman C Kilpper Charitable Foundation Inc
Lincoln, CA
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Kinzler Foundation
Ankeny, IA
Assets
$91K
Grants
2
Total Given
$33K
Dallas Clark Foundation
Indianpolis, IN
The primary purposes of the organization are to 1. Raise money for charitable organizations exempt under code section 501(c)3 of the internal revenue code that aid sick and disadvantaged children such as, but not limited to, the make a wish foundation, and 2. To award college scholarships to sutdents with sincere and earnest academic aspirations who might not otherwise receive the assistance they need to obtain a postsecondary education.
Assets
$62K
Grants
2
Total Given
$40K
Shive-Hattery Group Charitable
Cedar Rapids, IA
Assets
$598K
Grants
2
Total Given
$10K
More similar funders
More Funders in Iowa
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Merchant Foundation of Iowa'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.
Merchant Foundation of Iowa down — hundreds of funders to go?