The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation
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
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.
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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
States
Cities
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)
| 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
No grants recorded for .
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
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 ImpactThe 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 ProgramSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
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