Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Lebanon, Missouri. Established in 1983, it supports educational access and the American free enterprise system through named capital projects, primarily at colleges and universities.
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $271K), top state Ohio. 57% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,799,645
- -18.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $271,403
- -12.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $234,323
- Total assets
- $73,573,445
- -0.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 57% first-time grantees (8 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (47% 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 Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists no deadline (N/A).
- Deadline
- The filing lists no deadline (N/A).
- Contact
Application contact: Jason Hannasch
Mailing address: 2100 Evergreen Parkway, Lebanon, MO 65536
Phone: (417) 533-3007
Email: info@robertwplasterfoundation.org
Website: https://robertwplasterfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cedarville University ($1.8M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 23 grants of 64 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its geographic focus as primarily the Midwest, Heartland, and South, with a broader region spanning from the Rocky to the Appalachian Mountains and from the northern to the southern border. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Ohio (47%), Missouri (18%), Wisconsin (8%), Kentucky (7%), and Idaho (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
57%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 14 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $118K; repeat grants $475K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $259K repeat.
- 43% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% 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 $3.4M (2021) to $4.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cedarville University Cedarville, OH | General Contribution | $1,800,000 |
| Park University (RWP Free Enterprise Center) Parkville, MO | General Contribution | $312,000 |
| Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WI | General Contribution | $292,000 |
| Thomas More University Inc Crestview Hills, KY | General Contribution | $267,000 |
| College of Eastern Idaho Foundation Idaho Falls, ID | General Contribution | $250,000 |
| Prager University Foundation Hollywood, FL | General Contribution | $250,000 |
| Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO | General Contribution | $250,000 |
| North Greenville University Tigerville, SC | General Contribution | $218,645 |
| Park University (RWP School of Business) Parkville, MO | General Contribution | $50,000 |
| Bill of Rights Institute Arlington, VA | General Contribution | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $73,573,445 | $4,534,596 | $4,606,917 | $3,799,645 | 14 | $4,102,064 | $3,336,800 | $4,498,413 |
| 2023 | $73,628,727 | $5,408,577 | $5,461,233 | $4,668,645 | 15 | $4,845,312 | $4,206,634 | $4,155,295 |
| 2022 | $73,672,147 | $5,491,474 | $5,164,842 | $4,448,142 | 12 | $4,593,058 | $4,315,371 | $4,409,930 |
| 2021 | $73,364,343 | $6,255,465 | $4,116,701 | $3,407,000 | 11 | — | $4,973,833 | $4,639,194 |
| 2020 | $71,228,911 | $9,968,592 | $4,065,318 | $3,462,000 | 12 | — | $3,114,546 | $3,783,125 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to expand educational access and promote the virtues of the American Free Enterprise System through named capital projects. Its website says it prioritizes gifts for buildings named as Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Centers or housing Robert W. Plaster Schools of Business, as well as other buildings reflecting the founder’s commitment to Americanism and free enterprise. It also awards a limited number of grants each year for initiatives aligned with his philosophy of giving.
The supported organizations listed for 2024 include colleges and universities, a civic education organization, a Christian school, and a senior-serving organization. The grantees describe their own work in varied terms: Cedarville University says it provides education and intentional discipleship under biblical authority; the Bill of Rights Institute says it teaches history and civics; River Oak Christian Academy says it provides Christian elementary and middle school education; and Laclede County Hughes Senior Organization says it serves meals and provides activities for people aged 60 and over.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $3,799,645. The grants ranged from $20,000 to $1,800,000, with a median of $234,322. The largest awards included $1,800,000 to Cedarville University, $312,000 to Park University for its RWP Free Enterprise Center, $292,000 to Concordia University - Wisconsin, $267,000 to Thomas More University Inc, and $250,000 each to the College of Eastern Idaho Foundation, Prager University Foundation, and Southwest Baptist University. The filing lists each of these grants as a general contribution.
The foundation’s website describes a staged application process. Organizations seeking consideration begin by creating an account and completing a Grant Interest Form. Organizations selected for further consideration are asked to submit a Letter of Inquiry covering their history, mission, need, proposed project, costs, fundraising progress, timeline, and people served. If the inquiry merits further review, the foundation may issue a Request for Proposal. The requested proposal materials include project and budget details, other funding sources, sustainability plans, measures of effectiveness, site and campus information, leadership information, and financial documents. A campus site visit may occur at any point in the process.
The foundation does not fund endowments, operating budgets, or scholarships. Its website says it focuses on capital projects; the filing also urges prospective applicants to review the foundation’s funding focus before submitting a Letter of Intent.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dolly Clement as president; Nicholas Weis as treasurer; Michael Sears as secretary; Peter DeSilva and Stephen R Plaster as directors; and Larry Weis as vice president/director.
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc is led by Dolly Clement, President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dolly Clement
President
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024)
Larry Weis
Vice President & Director
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Desilva
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen R. Plaster
Director
President & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Sears
Secretary
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Weis
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Molly Kerr (2020–2023) — Director
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 $112K, to Dolly Clement (President).
Frequently asked questions about Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc
How much does Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc give each year?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.7M across 15 grants.
What is Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $234,323, and its average grant was $271,403, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc that year got $118K on average.
Where does Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc give grants?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's top state is Ohio, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Missouri (18%) and Wisconsin (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Parkville, MO (2 grants).
Does Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Cedarville University ($1,800,000), Park University (RWP Free Enterprise Center) ($312,000) and Concordia University - Wisconsin ($292,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc reported $73.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (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 Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to expand educational access and promote the virtues of the American Free Enterprise System through named capital projects. Its website says it prioritizes gifts for buildings named as Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Centers or housing Robert W. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check robertwplasterfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's EIN?
Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1369856. 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 October 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 April 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-w-plaster-foundation-inc-morg_1dc91ae9ca5c471e9bb597855d36e02c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431369856_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-w-plaster-foundation-inc-morg_1dc91ae9ca5c471e9bb597855d36e02c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc'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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