Principal Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Principal Foundation says it targets public charities, particularly community organisations where Principal employees live and work, so a local organisation in those communities is the closest fit.
- Its stated work falls under essential needs, social and cultural connections, and financial inclusion, so check that your project clearly belongs to one of these.
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, but organisations may send it a short email to be considered for its global grant programme, so start with a brief email rather than a full proposal.
- The filing gives no grant range, so ask in that email what size of request would be considered rather than assuming one.
Overview
Principal Foundation is a US private foundation based in Des Moines, IA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Principal Foundation supports public charities, particularly community organisations where Principal employees live and work, to help people and communities build financially secure futures. It organises its grantmaking around essential needs, social and cultural connections, and financial inclusion. Its stated work includes connecting individuals and families with nutritious, culturally relevant food, keeping people housed and supporting disaster recovery; expanding access to social and cultural institutions and building capacity in creative and cultural sectors; and improving entrepreneurs’ access to capital, assistance and education, alongside financial counselling and appropriate financial products. It also supports research into financial wellbeing and more inclusive, accessible products and services. Its global grant programme is by invitation only, though organisations may email to be considered.
Themes
- Essential needs
- Social and cultural connections
- Financial inclusion
How to apply
Organisations wishing to be considered for the global grant programme may send the Foundation a short email.
Application success factors
What the foundation says:
- It targets public charities, specifically community organisations where Principal employees live and work.
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $17,671,543 | $15,442,690 | $190,361,128 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $17,614,902 | $15,006,799 | $200,413,793 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $16,121,709 | $12,981,199 | $210,088,246 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Principal Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (515) 247-5111
- Des Moines, IA
- principalfoundation.org
Applying to Principal Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (515) 247-5111
- Des Moines, IA
- principalfoundation.org