Private foundation · EIN 39-1891960 · Urbandale, Iowa · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Carlson Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 35 grants paid, $1.5M total, median $40K. 71% of grants stayed in Iowa.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
35
$1.5M
Median grant
$40K
Stays in IA
71%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$5.5M

Grants paid in 2025

35 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
YssDes Moines, IAYouth services$250K
Meals From the HeartlandClive, IAMeals for the poor$60K
DmarcDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$60K
Cystic Fibrosis FoundationBethesda, MDGeneral fund$60K
Iowa Homeless Youth CentersAmes, IAGeneral fund$60K
Food Bank of IowaDes Moines, IAFood$50K
Love IncLiberty, MOYouth services$50K
Habitat for HumanityDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$50K
Hope MinistriesDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$50K
EllipsisJohnston, IAYouth services$50K
Mind and SpiritUrbandale, IACounseling$50K
EverystepDes Moines, IAGrief services$50K
FCADes Moines, IAGeneral fund$50K
Lsi in IowaDes Moines, IAYouth services$50K
Colts Youth OrganizationDubuque, IAGeneral fund$45K
Civic Center of Greater Des MoinesDes Moines, IAYouth services$40K
Urbandale Food PantryUrbandale, IAFood pantry$40K
Wesley LifeJohnston, IAGeneral fund$40K
Child CancerDes Moines, IAYouth services$40K
Iowa Public RadioDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$35K
Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$30K
RehopeHarrison, MOGeneral fund$30K
The Connection CafeDes Moines, IAMeals for the poor$25K
American Red CrossDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$25K
NewhouseKansas City, MOGeneral fund$25K
Boysgirls ClubDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$25K
Dental Connection of IowaDes Moines, IAGen fund$25K
Sunflower House IncShawnee, KSYouth services$20K
Operation BreakthroughKansas City, MOYouth services$20K
Rose BrooksKansas City, MOYouth services$15K
Hillside Opening PossibilitiesKansas City, MOYouth services$10K
NAMI IowaDes Moines, IAGen fund$10K
Greater Kc Community FoundationKansas City, MOYouth services$5,000
Catholic Charities of Ne KsOverland Park, KSGen fund$5,000
Gigi'sWindsor Heights, IAGeneral fund$5,000

By state: Iowa 25 · Missouri 7 · Maryland 1 · Kansas 2

About this foundation

Carlson Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Urbandale, Iowa, administered in care of C Dean Carlson, tax-exempt since 2002. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Carlson Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Carlson Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.5M across 35 grants, a median of $40K.

Where does Carlson Family Foundation give?

Iowa (25 grants), Missouri (7 grants), Maryland (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Urbandale that accept applications

All in Iowa
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
John Ruan Foundation Trustsince 1955 Urbandale, IA $4.0M52 grants · 2024 $10KYes $100M
Kleckner Foundationsince 2020 Urbandale, IA $59K16 grants · 2025 $2,313Preselected only $5.2M
K2 Charitable Foundationsince 2013 Urbandale, IA $2.1M16 grants · 2025 $30KYes $4.4M
Richard Morton & Ruth Bailey Root Charitable Tr Fdsince 2004 Urbandale, IA $344K4 grants · 2025 $86KPreselected only $4.1M
Boyd Midwest Family Private Foundationsince 2019 Urbandale, IA $123K51 grants · 2025 $2,000Preselected only $2.1M
Perrin Foundationsince 1994 Urbandale, IA $154K40 grants · 2025 $1,050Preselected only $2.0M
Broderick Charitable Foundation Trsince 2020 Urbandale, IA $115K12 grants · 2025 $11KPreselected only $1.8M
Helen Holt Charitable Trsince 2009 Urbandale, IA $94K2 grants · 2025 $47KPreselected only $1.8M
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