William C Knapp Charitable Fdn

Private foundation · Grantmaker West Des Moines, IA EIN: 42-1234012

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn is a private foundation based in West Des Moines, Iowa. Its 2024 filing lists grants to charitable organizations, primarily in Iowa, including support for general operating budgets, community services, education, arts, and programs serving children and people with disabilities.

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn at a glance

In short: William C Knapp Charitable Fdn gave $293K across 31 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Iowa. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$292,809
+0.0% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
31
-11.4% vs 2023
Average grant
$9,445
+12.9% vs 2023
Median grant
$2,500
Total assets
$4,042
-84.0% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
26% first-time grantees (8 of 31, 2024)
Primary geography
Iowa (98% 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 William C Knapp Charitable Fdn

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Contact

Mailing address: 5000 Westown Pkwy Ste 400, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515) 223-4000

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who William C Knapp Charitable Fdn funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

United Way of Central Iowa: $112KUnited Way of Central Iowa$112KDrake University: $59KDrake University$59KFriends of Des Moines Parks: $20KFriends of Des Moines Parks$20KVariety - the Children's Charity: $15KVariety - the Children'sCharity$15KCommunity Foundation of Greater Des Moines: $13KCommunity Foundation ofGreater Des Moines$13KEaster Seals Iowa: $11KEaster Seals Iowa$11KLink Associates: $9KLink Associates$9KBoys & Girls Clubs of Central IA: $5KBoys & Girls Clubs of CentralIA$5KChildserve Foundation: $5KChildserve Foundation$5KCitizens for Community Betterment: $5KCitizens for CommunityBetterment$5K

The largest 2024 recipient was United Way of Central Iowa ($112K). Together the top 10 received $253K.

Grant Size Distribution

201 grants across all recorded years

192<$50K4$50–100K5$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 201 (96%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa and 2% to recipients in Maryland. Listed Iowa recipients include organizations in Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Johnston.

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.

Cities

Des MoinesWest Des MoinesUrbandaleAnkenyJohnstonIowa CityPolk CityWaukeeCliveDallas CenterOmahaAltoonaCedar RapidsEarlhamHagerstownManhattan BeachSt CharlesWinterset

Is William C Knapp Charitable Fdn open to new grantees?

26%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 8 of 31 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $11K. How we count

Medians: $1K first-time, $4K repeat.

  • 52% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−13%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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

$0$200K$400K$600K51 grants2020 43 grants2021 41 grants2022 35 grants2023 31 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $293K (2023) to $428K (2022). In 2024 it made 31 grants totaling $293K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
United Way of Central Iowa Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$111,514
Drake University Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$59,000
Friends of Des Moines Parks Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$20,000
Variety - the Children's Charity Des Moines, IAVariety Telethon$15,000
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$13,333
Easter Seals Iowa Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$10,924
Link Associates West Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$8,500
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central IA Des Moines, IAAnnual Tallent Show$5,000
Childserve Foundation Johnston, IAGeneral Operating Budget$5,000
Citizens for Community Betterment Des Moines, IAGeneral Operating Budget$5,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$4,042$275,212$296,433$292,80931$294,559—$808
2023$25,263$285,144$296,397$292,70035$294,527—$1,263
2022$36,516$380,428$430,204$428,20041$429,200—$2,519
2021$86,292$200,958$338,791$336,20043$337,375—$4,532
2020$224,125$253,045$422,812$419,11251—$225,530$15,192

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William C Knapp Charitable Fdn reported a distributable amount of $808 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. United Way of Central Iowa describes its mission as improving lives by uniting the caring power of the community. Drake University says it provides an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship.

Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions involve children and people with disabilities: Variety – the Children’s Charity says it empowers children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disabilities; LINK Associates says it promotes the welfare of people with intellectual disabilities and provides related services; and ChildServe Foundation says it partners with families to help children with special health care needs live a great life. The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation says it places art in public spaces through public and private collaborations.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 31 grants totaling $292,809. Grant amounts ranged from $159 to $111,514, with a median of $2,500. The largest awards included $111,514 to United Way of Central Iowa and $59,000 to Drake University, both for general operating budgets; $20,000 to Friends of Des Moines Parks for its general operating budget; and $15,000 to Variety – the Children’s Charity for its Variety Telethon. Other listed awards included $13,333 to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and $10,924 to Easter Seals Iowa, both for general operating budgets.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists William C Knapp as president/director, Gerard D Neugent as secretary/treasurer/director, and William C Knapp II as vice president/director.

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn is led by William C. Knapp, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • William C. Knapp

    President & Director

    On filings since 2020

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gerard D. Neugent

    Secretary, Treasurer & Director

    On filings since 2020

    2.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • William C. Knapp II

    Vice President & Director

    On filings since 2020

    2.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

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.

Frequently asked questions about William C Knapp Charitable Fdn

How much does William C Knapp Charitable Fdn give each year?

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn gave $293K across 31 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $293K across 35 grants.

What is William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's typical grant size?

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $9,445, across 31 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William C Knapp Charitable Fdn that year got $4K on average.

Where does William C Knapp Charitable Fdn give grants?

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn gives mostly in Iowa: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (17 grants), West Des Moines, IA (5 grants), Johnston, IA (2 grants) and Polk City, IA (2 grants).

Does William C Knapp Charitable Fdn give general operating support?

Yes: 90% of William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's largest grantees?

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's largest 2024 grantees include United Way of Central Iowa ($111,514), Drake University ($59,000) and Friends of Des Moines Parks ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is William C Knapp Charitable Fdn?

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn reported $4K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $295K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $808 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does William C Knapp Charitable Fdn fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. United Way of Central Iowa describes its mission as improving lives by uniting the caring power of the community. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from William C Knapp Charitable Fdn?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and 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 William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's EIN?

William C Knapp Charitable Fdn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1234012. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does William C Knapp Charitable Fdn 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.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 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 May 14, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 10, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). William C Knapp Charitable Fdn funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/william-c-knapp-charitable-fdn-morg_cce0cfa3c42b4ec8a255e00d64e46b18

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421234012_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{William C Knapp Charitable Fdn funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/william-c-knapp-charitable-fdn-morg_cce0cfa3c42b4ec8a255e00d64e46b18},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 William C Knapp Charitable Fdn'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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