Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc
The Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Lebanon, Missouri, established in 1983 by entrepreneur Robert W. Plaster, founder of Empire Gas Corporation. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to expanding educational access and promoting free enterprise principles through named capital projects, primarily at colleges and universities across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.8M
-18.6% YoY
Grant Count
14
-6.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$271K
-12.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To expand educational access and promote the virtues of the American free enterprise system through named capital projects.
The foundation's work is built on four core cornerstones:
Promoting Educational Opportunities for Students — Expanding educational opportunities in the Midwest through named capital projects that provide high-quality learning facilities while helping institutions keep tuition accessible.
Empowering Students for Success — Supporting educational facilities at colleges and universities to make higher education more accessible and provide students with a strong educational foundation.
Promoting Free Enterprise — Supporting capital projects that house programs educating students about free enterprise principles, including legal equality, private property rights, competition, profit motive, voluntary exchange, free contract, and open opportunity.
Continuing the Legacy of Robert W. Plaster — Maintaining the philanthropic legacy established during Robert W. Plaster's lifetime.
The foundation primarily provides naming gifts for Free Enterprise Centers and Schools of Business at colleges and universities, often housing entrepreneurship centers, trading labs, business centers, incubators, accelerators, and research centers for liberty. The foundation also provides a limited number of small challenge grants supporting causes consistent with Robert W. Plaster's philosophy of giving in a conservative and Christian environment.
Grantmaking
The foundation prioritizes grant proposals according to five categorical criteria:
Grant Range
$25,000 - $2,000,000+
Average Grant
$370,700
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has traditionally focused on the Midwestern United States but has expanded its geographic reach in recent years. The foundation has partnered with more than 20 colleges and universities across the United States and now funds projects in multiple states including California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Recent expansion includes institutions beyond the traditional Midwest focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2023:
- Total Assets: $73,628,727
- Total Revenue: $5,408,577
- Total Expenses: $5,461,233
- Total Liabilities: $31,900
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1,841,862
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $3,033,382
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $533,333
Historical Context:
The foundation has distributed over $65 million in grants across 50+ capital projects to 40+ unique recipients since its establishment.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedarville University ($1,800,000), Park University (RWP Free Enterprise Center) ($312,000), Concordia University - Wisconsin ($292,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Poplar Bluff Poplar Bluff, MO | General Contribution | $20,000 |
| Bill of Rights Institute Arlington, VA | General Contribution | $25,000 |
| Cedarville University Cedarville, OH | General Contribution | $1,800,000 |
| College of Eastern Idaho Foundation Idaho Falls, ID | General Contribution | $250,000 |
| Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WI | General Contribution | $292,000 |
| Laclede County Hughes Senior Organization Lebanon, MO | General Contribution | $20,000 |
| North Greenville University Tigerville, SC | General Contribution | $218,645 |
| Park University (RWP School of Business) Parkville, MO | General Contribution | $50,000 |
| Park University (RWP Free Enterprise Center) Parkville, MO | General Contribution | $312,000 |
| Prager University Foundation Hollywood, FL | General Contribution | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Stephen R Plaster — President/Director
- Larry Weis — Vice President/Director
- Dolly Clement — Vice President
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has continued its capital project funding with recent grants supporting academic building construction and facility improvements at educational institutions. Notable recent projects include the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at Ranken Technical College and a grant to Campbellsville University for construction of a new academic building. The foundation has also supported student union renovations at other institutions.
Robert W. Plaster Foundation Inc - Grant Information & Application ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** To expand educational access and promote the virtues of the American free enterprise system through named capital projects. The foundation's work is built on four core cornerstones: • **Promoting Educational Opportunities for Students** — Expanding educational opportunities in the Midwest through named capital projects that provide high-quality learning facilities while helping institutions keep tuition accessible. • **Empowering Students for Success** — Supporting educat…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc?
**Grant Categories:** The foundation prioritizes grant proposals according to five categorical criteria: 1. Naming gifts for buildings in the name of "Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center" 2. Naming gifts for buildings at colleges or universities in the name of "Robert W. Plaster" housing a school of business and/or the school of business itself 3. Naming gifts for buildings at colleges or universities in the name of "Robert W. Plaster" serving the foundation's mission and consistent with t…
Where does Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation has traditionally focused on the Midwestern United States but has expanded its geographic reach in recent years. The foundation has partnered with more than 20 colleges and universities across the United States and now funds projects in multiple states including California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Recent expansion includes institutions beyond the traditional Midwest focus.
What size grants does Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Robert W Plaster Foundation Inc awarded 14 grants totaling $3.8M — an average of about $271K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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