The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation
Invitation OnlyWest Des Moines, Iowa · EIN 26-3035459 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$469K
Organizations funded186
Typical grant$500
Total assets$1.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $250 and $1,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
56% of grants went outside Iowa.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Cancer Connection | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $102,805 |
| Great Outdoors Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $30,000 |
| Make-A-Wish Foundation | Urbandale, IA | Program support | $30,000 |
| Mercyone Des Moines Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $25,000 |
| Variety - the Childrens Charity | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $15,400 |
| Everystep Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $12,750 |
| Gigi's Playhouse Des Moines | Windsor Heights, IA | Program support | $10,750 |
| Dorothy's House | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,250 |
| Blank Children's Hospital | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Childserve Foundation | Johnston, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Des Moines Carousel Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Genesis Youth Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| United Way of Central Iowa | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Foundation | West Des Moines, IA | Program support | $7,500 |
| Moberg Gallery | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $6,707 |
| Hoyt Sherman Place | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $5,900 |
| Blank Park Zoo | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Dsm | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Des Moines Performing Arts | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Horizon Science Academy Des Moines | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Pinky Swear Foundation | Edina, MN | Program support | $5,000 |
| Wesley Life | Johnston, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Iowa College Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $4,500 |
| Above Beyond Cancer | West Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| American Heart Association | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Arlington, MA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Des Moines Metro Opera | Indianola, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Des Moines University | West Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Dmps Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Easter Seals Iowa | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | West Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Orchard Place | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Surety Foundation the | Washington, DC | Program support | $2,500 |
| Children's Cancer Association | Portland, OR | Program support | $2,476 |
| Heritage Ranch | Eastsound, WA | Program support | $2,000 |
| St Jude's Children Hospital | Memphis, TN | Program support | $1,630 |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children | Tampa, FL | Program support | $1,500 |
| Hope Ministries | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $1,450 |
| First Tee - Central Iowa | Clive, IA | Program support | $1,250 |
| West Des Moines Human Services Friends Foundation | West Des Moines, IA | Program support | $1,200 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Seminole Co & Greater Apopka Florida Inc | Casselberry, FL | Program support | $1,100 |
| New Mexico Special Olympics | Albuquerque, NM | Program support | $1,100 |
| Best Buddies Iowa | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $1,050 |
| After School Arts Program | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $1,000 |
| Agape | Nashville, TN | Program support | $1,000 |
| Arizon Center for Youth | Phoenix, AZ | Program support | $1,000 |
| Building Bridges Across the River | Washington, DC | Program support | $1,000 |
| Cato Institute | Washington, DC | Program support | $1,000 |
| Central Florida Council | Apopka, FL | Program support | $1,000 |
| Chase Richards Foundation | Encino, CA | Program support | $1,000 |
| Construction Workforce Foundation of Colorado | Centennial, CO | Program support | $1,000 |
| Des Moines Childrens Museum | West Des Moines, IA | Program support | $1,000 |
| Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network | Stillwater, MN | Program support | $1,000 |
| Elli's House | West Bloomfield, MI | Program support | $1,000 |
| Families Forward | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $1,000 |
| Family Promise of Montgomery County | Conroe, TX | Program support | $1,000 |
| Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate | Fort Worth, TX | Program support | $1,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 186 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $468,768 | 186 |
| 2024 | $209,147 | 133 |
| 2023 | $461,166 | 137 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 6, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621269349103317
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 26-3035459
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.