← Back to US Funders Directory

Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$16.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $400+ million
  • Annual Giving: $16 million (approximately)
  • Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings (4 times/year)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,000,000 (median: $60,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Iowa and portions of Illinois
  • Awards Made: Approximately 69-75 grants annually

Contact Details

Address: 202 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761-3733
Phone: 563-263-4010
Email: info@carvertrust.org
Website: https://carvertrust.org

Pre-Application Support: Trust staff are available to assist with proposal development. Contact via phone or email before submitting formal materials.

Overview

Established in 1982 by industrialist and philanthropist Roy James Carver (1909-1981), the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust began grant-making activities in 1987 and has since distributed over $400 million through approximately 2,500 individual grants. The Trust is one of Iowa's largest private philanthropic foundations, with assets exceeding $400 million and annual distributions of approximately $16 million.

Roy J. Carver founded the Carver Pump Company with his brother in 1938 and later owned Bandag, the world's largest producer of tire retread materials. Headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa—where Carver based his business operations—the Trust honors his legacy by supporting innovation, education, and youth development primarily within Iowa and portions of Illinois where he maintained business interests.

The Trust's strategic approach emphasizes fostering innovative ideas that might be considered too tentative or risky by other funding sources, providing competitive support to organizations willing to pursue bold initiatives with strong community backing.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth and Recreation Projects ($10,000 - $25,000)

  • For projects in priority counties (Muscatine, Louisa, Scott in Iowa; Rock Island and Mercer in Illinois)
  • Maximum 25% of total project costs or $25,000
  • Rolling applications accepted throughout the year

Community Libraries (up to $60,000)

  • Construction, renovation, furnishings, and equipment needs
  • Technology-based initiatives linking libraries across multiple sites
  • Quarterly proposal deadlines

Education - K-12 ($15,000 - $500,000)

  • Strategic assistance to enhance instruction in language arts, science, and mathematics
  • Curriculum development and innovative learning programs
  • Quarterly deadlines (February 15, May 15, August 15, November 15)

Higher Education ($100,000 - $1,000,000)

  • Projects strengthening institutions and offering innovative learning opportunities
  • Support for students in baccalaureate and graduate programs
  • Capital or programmatic initiatives improving instruction or increasing resource access
  • Quarterly deadlines

Medical and Scientific Research ($100,000 - $500,000+)

  • Innovative investigation with promise for advancing scientific knowledge and improving human health
  • Support for biomedical and scientific research
  • Quarterly deadlines

Scholarship Programs

  • Institutional scholarships supporting students
  • Funds distributed through partner colleges and universities

Priority Areas

  • Biomedical and scientific research advancing knowledge and human health
  • Educational programs preparing students for academic and professional challenges
  • Youth development addressing educational and recreational needs
  • Disadvantaged youth and family support programs
  • Community-based library facilities and services
  • Innovative, potentially risky ideas not readily funded elsewhere

What They Don't Fund

  • Annual operating support (generally)
  • Annual campaigns or fundraising benefits
  • Religious activities and programs
  • Program advertising or promotional costs
  • Political parties, candidates, or offices
  • Endowments (except when necessary for long-term project goals)
  • Direct grants to individuals

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Trust is governed by a six-member Board of Trustees meeting quarterly to consider grant requests:

Officers:

  • Roy J. Carver, Jr., Chairman (Muscatine, IA)
  • Andrew B. Carver, Vice Chairman (Muscatine, IA)
  • D. Scott Ingstad, Secretary (Waukee, IA)

Additional Trustees:

  • Roy J. Carver, III (Fort Myers, FL)
  • Brian W. Hummel, M.D. (Fort Myers, FL)
  • Bradley W. Roeth (Muscatine, IA)

Staff

  • Troy K. Ross, Chief Executive Officer
  • Erin L. Van Hook, CPA, Executive Assistant and Finance Director
  • Lynne M. Sasmazer, Ph.D., Program Director
  • L. Beth Mumey, Program Assistant and Secretary

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Submit a written or electronic letter of inquiry before formal proposal
  • LOIs accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Contact staff at 563-263-4010 or info@carvertrust.org with questions

Step 2: Full Proposal (If Invited)

  • After LOI review, qualified applicants invited to submit formal proposal
  • Must include Trust's Application Cover Sheet
  • Proposals reviewed by staff for eligibility and appropriateness

Step 3: Board Review

  • Quarterly board meetings consider grant requests
  • Full proposal deadlines: February 15, May 15, August 15, November 15

Step 4: Grant Payments

  • Distributed semi-annually in April and October
  • Multi-year grants require annual project reports to qualify for subsequent payments

Required Application Materials

  • Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust Application Cover Sheet
  • Letter of Inquiry
  • Formal Proposal (if invited) including:
    • Clear project description
    • What the project will achieve and how
    • Detailed project budget
    • Information on funds from other sources
    • Detailed allocation of Carver Trust funds requested
    • Statement explaining why Trust participation is vital to project success

Decision Timeline

  • LOI to Invitation: Variable (staff review)
  • Proposal Deadline: 15th of February, May, August, November
  • Board Meetings: Quarterly
  • Payment Disbursement: Semi-annually (April and October)
  • Overall Timeline: Typically 3-6 months from LOI to decision, depending on quarterly deadline alignment

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not explicitly restrict reapplications from unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to contact staff to discuss feedback and potential for future submissions.

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Values

1. Strong Community Support The Trust explicitly states that "projects that include strong local funding and volunteer support will be given preference." Demonstrate robust community investment through matching funds, in-kind contributions, and volunteer commitments.

2. Innovation and Calculated Risk The Trust "provides competitive support to foster innovative ideas that might be considered too tentative or risky by other funding sources." Don't shy away from bold, novel approaches—the Trust seeks to fund what others won't.

3. Clear Articulation of Trust's Vital Role Proposals must include "a statement describing why participation of the Carver Trust is vital to the success of the project." This is a required element—explain specifically why Trust funding is essential, not just helpful.

4. Alignment with Geographic Focus While the Trust occasionally funds organizations where Roy Carver had personal interest, priority goes to Iowa organizations, particularly in Muscatine, Louisa, and Scott counties, plus Rock Island and Mercer counties in Illinois.

5. Institutional Strengthening Over Operating Support The Trust seeks projects that "substantively improve instruction or increase access to educational resources" and "strengthen institutions." Frame requests around capacity-building and long-term impact rather than maintaining current operations.

Recent Funding Examples

  • University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education: $425,000 over three years to expand environmental health work involving hundreds of students
  • Grinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area: $200,000 for infrastructure improvements
  • UNI Department of Biology: $412,905 to enhance, modernize, and expand Anatomy and Physiology laboratories
  • University of Iowa Neuroscience Institute: $45 million for neuroscience research support

Process Tips

  • Review grant policies thoroughly before submitting LOI
  • Call staff (563-263-4010) with questions—they explicitly welcome pre-application consultations
  • Submit LOI well before your desired quarterly deadline to allow time for invitation and full proposal development
  • Professional fundraising firms are not necessary—the Trust states "it is not a practice that we endorse as a necessary component of the application process"
  • Provide detailed budgets with specific allocation of requested funds
  • For multi-year projects, plan for annual reporting requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasize innovation and risk: The Trust explicitly seeks "tentative or risky" ideas others won't fund—position bold, innovative projects confidently
  • Demonstrate community investment: Strong local funding and volunteer support are stated preferences; match funding is critical
  • Geographic focus matters: Iowa and select Illinois counties receive priority; Muscatine connections are particularly valuable
  • Start with staff consultation: Pre-application phone calls are encouraged and can save time by clarifying fit before formal submission
  • Think big but be specific: Grants range to $1 million, but proposals must detail exactly why Trust participation is vital to success
  • Plan for the long term: The Trust prefers institutional strengthening and capacity-building over annual operating support
  • Quarterly rhythm: Align your planning with February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 deadlines; start LOI process 3-6 months before needed funding

References

← Back to US Funders Directory