How to apply
No special form Contact: John Ruan IV, 11207 Nw Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, Ia, 5152452575 Deadlines: None Restrictions: None
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
52 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mercy One FoundationDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $1.0M |
| University of Iowa FoundationIowa City, IA | General Operations | $1.0M |
| Mercy One FoundationDes Moines, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $500K |
| Iowa Confluence Water TrailsDes Moines, IA | Sports, Athletic | $300K |
| Iowa Motor Carriers FoundationDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $250K |
| Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL | Sports, Athletic | $250K |
| EllipsisJohnston, IA | Youth Activities | $250K |
| Bravo Greater Des MoinesDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $100K |
| Dowling Catholic High SchoolWest Des Moines, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $60K |
| Des Moines SymphonyDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $25K |
| World Food PrizeDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $25K |
| Isu FoundationAmes, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $25K |
| Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $20K |
| Des Moines Art CenterDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $10K |
| Science Center of IowaDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $10K |
| Civic Center of Greater Des MoinesDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $10K |
| Blank Park Zoo FoundationDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $10K |
| Des Moines Metropolitan OperaIndianola, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $10K |
| Ballet Des MoinesWest Des Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $10K |
| Above and Beyond CancerWest Des Moines, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $10K |
| Downtown Events GroupDes Moines, IA | Inner City or Community Activities | $10K |
| Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $10K |
| Bergman AcademyDes Moines, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $10K |
| Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $10K |
| Roosevelt High School FoundationDes Moines, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $10K |
| YMCADes Moines, IA | Youth Activities | $10K |
| St Augustin Catholic SchoolDes Moines, IA | Youth Activities | $10K |
| Nature ConservancyDes Moines, IA | Conservation, Environment and Beautification Activities | $5,000 |
| Des Moines Arts FestivalDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $5,000 |
| Blue Ribbon FoundationDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Lost Tree Charitable FoundationNorth Palm Beach, FL | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Food Bank of IowaDes Moines, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Mayo ClinicRochester, MN | Health Services and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| American Heart AssociationDes Moines, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Avon Old Farms SchoolAvon, CT | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Culver Educational FoundationCulver, IN | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Iowa Law School FoundationIowa City, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Iowa College FoundationDes Moines, IA | Schools, COlleges and Related Activities | $5,000 |
| Variety the Childrens CharityDes Moines, IA | Youth Activities | $5,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Central IowaDes Moines, IA | Youth Activities | $5,000 |
| Macnider Art MuseumMason City, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $2,500 |
| Iowa Historical FoundationDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $2,500 |
| Terrace Hill PartnershipDes Moines, IA | Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities | $2,500 |
| Friends of Des Moines ParksDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $2,500 |
| Brenton ArboretumDallas Center, IA | General Operations | $2,500 |
| Des Moines Community PlayhouseDes Moines, IA | General Operations | $2,500 |
| Orchard PlaceDes Moines, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $2,500 |
| Wesley LifeJohnston, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $2,500 |
| Multiple Sclerosis Society of IowaClive, IA | Health Services and Related Activities | $2,500 |
| Des Moines UniversityDes Moines, IA | Schools, Colleges and Related Activities | $2,500 |
| Boy Scouts of America Mid Iowa CouncilDes Moines, IA | Youth Activities | $2,500 |
By state: Iowa 45 · Illinois 2 · Texas 1 · Florida 1 · Minnesota 1 · Connecticut 1
About this foundation
John Ruan Foundation Trust is a private grantmaking foundation in Urbandale, Iowa, tax-exempt since 1955. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does John Ruan Foundation Trust accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. No special form Deadlines: None.
How much does John Ruan Foundation Trust give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $4.0M across 52 grants, a median of $10K.
Where does John Ruan Foundation Trust give?
Iowa (45 grants), Illinois (2 grants), Texas (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Urbandale that accept applications
All in Iowa| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlson Family Foundationsince 2002 | Urbandale, IA | $1.5M35 grants · 2025 | $40K | Preselected only | $5.5M |
| Kleckner Foundationsince 2020 | Urbandale, IA | $59K16 grants · 2025 | $2,313 | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| K2 Charitable Foundationsince 2013 | Urbandale, IA | $2.1M16 grants · 2025 | $30K | Yes | $4.4M |
| Richard Morton & Ruth Bailey Root Charitable Tr Fdsince 2004 | Urbandale, IA | $344K4 grants · 2025 | $86K | Preselected only | $4.1M |
| Boyd Midwest Family Private Foundationsince 2019 | Urbandale, IA | $123K51 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $2.1M |
| Perrin Foundationsince 1994 | Urbandale, IA | $154K40 grants · 2025 | $1,050 | Preselected only | $2.0M |
| Broderick Charitable Foundation Trsince 2020 | Urbandale, IA | $115K12 grants · 2025 | $11K | Preselected only | $1.8M |
| Helen Holt Charitable Trsince 2009 | Urbandale, IA | $94K2 grants · 2025 | $47K | Preselected only | $1.8M |