The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation

WEST DES MOINES, IA EIN: 26-3035459 Website

The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation is a private corporate foundation established in 2009 and based in West Des Moines, Iowa. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving that supports nonprofit and charitable organizations across the United States.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.2M

+18.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$209K

-54.6% YoY

Grant Count

133

-2.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$2K

-53.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

Vision: Improving the human experience for all children in our communities.

Mission: To provide support to nonprofit organizations to improve our communities and enrich the lives of children in the communities we serve.

Core Values:

Excellence, integrity, and transparency in organizational practices and partnerships
Positive and collaborative partnerships built on trust and respect
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Responsiveness to the concerns of Merchants associates and agent partners
Service to those less fortunate, especially children lacking health, wealth, safety, or education
Support for arts and culture in society as catalysts for innovative ideas and social responsibility

Primary Funding Areas:

Performing arts
Higher education
Health
Leukemia and cancer research
Youth development
Human services
Program support

Grantmaking

Grant Range

of $1,438 and an average grant amount of approximately $3,000-$15,000 depending on program area.

Average Grant

amount of approximately $3,000-$15,000 depending on program area.

Ready to take the next step with The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with a broad geographic scope including:

Primary focus in Iowa
Additional funding in California, Michigan, Texas, Florida, New York, and numerous other states
Support extends to both major urban centers and smaller communities

Grant Distribution by State

Iowa $615K (78%)

Virginia $60K (8%)

District of Columbia $34K (4%)

Texas $15K (2%)

Oregon $10K (1%)

California $10K (1%)

Washington $8K (1%)

Minnesota $5K (1%)

+29 more states

Cities

AlbuquerqueAltoonaAmesAnkenyArlingtonAtkinsonAubrunAustinBeavertonBettendorfBirminghamBooneBostonBrandonBrooklynBufordCarmelCarol StreamCaryCasey

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):

Total Assets: $1,015,002 (2023); $1,198,437 (2024)
Total Giving: $461,166 (2023); $568,530 (reported)
Total Revenue: $647,924 (2023); $468,306 (2024)
Total Expenses: $619,881 (2023); $284,871 (2024)
Giving Rate: 56.8%
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,198,437	$1,015,002	$986,959
Revenue	$468,306	$647,924	$291,934
Expenses	$284,871	$619,881	$232,954
Qualifying Distributions	$234,311	$568,530	$231,464
Net Investment Income	$23,537	$27,235	$25,821
Distributable Amount	$66,252	$61,569	$57,770

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

250 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines ($7,500), Blank Park Zoo ($5,000), Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa ($4,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
1969 FOUNDATION BUFORD, GA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$400
29TH STATE FOUNDATION URBANDALE, IA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$500
Above Beyond Cancer WEST DES MOINES, IA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$2,500
AGAPE NASHVILLE, TN	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$1,000
Aheinz 57 Pet Rescue DESOTO, IA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$52
Alzheimer's Assocation CHICAO, IL	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$1,000
American Heart Association DES MOINES, IA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$620
American Red Cross BOONE, IA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$250
ANKENY JAGUARS SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION ANKENY, IA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$500
Auburn University Foundation AUBRUN, AL	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$250

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Larry Taylor – President
William Warner Jr. – Senior Vice President & Secretary
Therese Wielage – Vice President
Elisabeth Sandersfeld – Treasurer
Melissa Warner – Director
Janet Taylor – Director
Bill Taylor – Director
Jeff Taylor – Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

No officer/director data available.

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2025

In 2025, the foundation demonstrated significant philanthropic impact by distributing $468,768 across 188 organizations. The establishment of the Memorial Grant program represents an expansion of the foundation's commitment to sustained community support. The foundation's giving is guided by five funding priorities that align with its mission to support causes that matter to its associates and agent partners.

Merchants Bonding Company Foundation's 2025 Impact

The foundation has been recognized for outstanding philanthropy and continues to strengthen communities through structured grant programs and strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

Supporting Communities Through the Grant Program

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation fund?

**Vision:** Improving the human experience for all children in our communities. **Mission:** To provide support to nonprofit organizations to improve our communities and enrich the lives of children in the communities we serve. **Core Values:** • Excellence, integrity, and transparency in organizational practices and partnerships • Positive and collaborative partnerships built on trust and respect • Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion • Responsiveness to the concerns of Merchants a…

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

**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $35 to $187,050, with a median grant size of $1,438 and an average grant amount of approximately $3,000-$15,000 depending on program area. **Application Schedule:** The foundation operates on a structured funding schedule, awarding grants twice annually—in April and September. **Recent Grant Activity:** • In 2025, the foundation supported 188 organizations through $468,768 in charitable giving • Notable 2025 grants included: • $25,000 to Make-a-Wish …

Where does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation make grants?

The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with a broad geographic scope including: • Primary focus in Iowa • Additional funding in California, Michigan, Texas, Florida, New York, and numerous other states • Support extends to both major urban centers and smaller communities

What size grants does The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation award?

In 2024, The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation awarded 133 grants totaling $209K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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 2020–2024.