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The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker West Des Moines, IA EIN: 26-3035459 Website

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation is a private foundation based in West Des Moines, Iowa. It supports nonprofit organizations working to improve communities and enrich children’s lives, with its 2025 grants concentrated largely in Iowa.

Key facts about The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation

In short: The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation gave $469K across 186 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Iowa. 59% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
26-3035459
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$468,768
Grants made (2025)
186
Average grant
$2,520
Median grant
$500
New grantees (estimate)
59% first-time grantees (110 of 186, 2025)
Total assets
$1,733,332
Primary geography
Iowa (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.7M

+44.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$469K

+124.1% YoY

Grant Count

186

+39.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

+60.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation reported a distributable amount of $72K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation open to new grantees?

59%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 110 of 186 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count

Medians: $500 first-time, $1K repeat.

  • 26% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 107% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 697% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s stated mission is to support nonprofit organizations that improve communities and enrich the lives of children in the communities it serves. Its Memorial Grant materials identify five pillars of giving: Children & Education, Community Betterment, Arts & Culture, Associate & Agent Partner Priorities, and Medical & Research.

Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of work. Children’s Cancer Connection describes its mission as connecting families affected by childhood cancer and strengthening community; ChildServe Foundation says it partners with families so children with special health care needs can live a great life; and Horizon Science Academy Des Moines describes its work as providing a math-, science-, and technology-rich education to students in grades K–3. Other recipients include organizations focused on conservation, public art, plant education, and financial support for families whose children have cancer.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 186 grants totaling $468,768. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $102,805, with a median of $500. The Foundation’s website separately described its 2025 giving as reaching 188 organizations for the same total.

Review Cycle

in the information available here.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In filing year 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa. Arizona, Minnesota, Texas, and Florida each accounted for 1%. The Foundation says it supports communities where its associates and partners live and work.

Grant Distribution by State

39states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 186 itemized grants.

Cities

Des MoinesWest Des MoinesJohnstonUrbandaleWashingtonClivePhoenixJacksonvilleAnkenyIndianolaLansingAmesGrimesPasadenaPortlandSeattleAustinConroeIowa CityIrvine

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K52 grants2020 67 grants2021 75 grants2022 137 grants2023 133 grants2024 186 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $186K (2020) to $469K (2025). In 2025 it made 186 grants totaling $469K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Children's Cancer Connection: $103KChildren's Cancer Connection$103KGreat Outdoors Foundation: $30KGreat Outdoors Foundation$30KMake-a-Wish Foundation: $30KMake-a-Wish Foundation$30KMercyone Des Moines Foundation: $25KMercyone Des Moines Foundation$25KVariety - the Childrens Charity: $15KVariety - the ChildrensCharity$15KEverystep Foundation: $13KEverystep Foundation$13KGigi's Playhouse Des Moines: $11KGigi's Playhouse Des Moines$11KDorothy's House: $10KDorothy's House$10KBlank Children's Hospital: $10KBlank Children's Hospital$10KChildserve Foundation: $10KChildserve Foundation$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Children's Cancer Connection ($103K). Together the top 10 received $257K.

Grant Size Distribution

598 grants across all recorded years

594<$50K1$50–100K3$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 594 grants of 598 (99%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Children's Cancer Connection Des Moines, IAProgram Support$102,805
Great Outdoors Foundation Des Moines, IAProgram Support$30,000
Make-a-Wish Foundation Urbandale, IAProgram Support$30,000
Mercyone Des Moines Foundation Des Moines, IAProgram Support$25,000
Variety - the Childrens Charity Des Moines, IAProgram Support$15,400
Everystep Foundation Des Moines, IAProgram Support$12,750
Gigi's Playhouse Des Moines Windsor Heights, IAProgram Support$10,750
Dorothy's House Des Moines, IAProgram Support$10,250
Blank Children's Hospital Des Moines, IAProgram Support$10,000
Childserve Foundation Johnston, IAProgram Support$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $1,733,332 $1,043,325 $508,430 $468,768
2024 $1,198,437 $468,306 $284,871 $209,147
2023 $1,015,002 $647,924 $619,881 $461,166
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,733,332$1,198,437$1,015,002
Revenue$1,043,325$468,306$647,924
Expenses$508,430$284,871$619,881
Qualifying Distributions$504,800$234,311$568,530
Net Investment Income$287,971$23,537$27,235
Distributable Amount$72,375$66,252$61,569

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 14, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 16, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation is led by Larry Taylor, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Larry Taylor

    President

    On filings since 2020

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bill Taylor

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Janet Taylor

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Taylor

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Melissa Warner

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • William Warner Jr.

    Director

    Secretary & Treasurer → Senior Vice President & Secretary, 2022

    Senior Vice President & Secretary → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amanda Warner

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Julie Taylor

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Therese Wielage

    Vice President

    On filings since 2022

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elisabeth Sandersfeld

    Treasurer & Secretary

    Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stacey Cale

    Vice President

    On filings since 2024

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Don Blum (2022) — Treasurer
  • Former: Lloyd Taylor (2020–2021) — Director

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.

Contact

Mailing address: 6700 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266-7754
Phone: (515) 243-8171
Website: https://merchantsbonding.com

Frequently asked questions about The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation

How much does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation give each year?

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation gave $469K across 186 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $209K across 133 grants.

What is The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's typical grant size?

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $2,520, across 186 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation that year got $1K on average.

Where does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation give grants?

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (46 grants), West Des Moines, IA (9 grants), Johnston, IA (4 grants) and Washington, DC (4 grants).

Does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 186 grants with a stated purpose on The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (186 grants).

Who are The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's largest grantees?

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Children's Cancer Connection ($102,805), Great Outdoors Foundation ($30,000) and Make-a-Wish Foundation ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation?

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $505K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $72K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation fund?

The Foundation’s stated mission is to support nonprofit organizations that improve communities and enrich the lives of children in the communities it serves. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation?

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's EIN?

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3035459. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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