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The Wallace Research Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.4M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,438,375 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $585,000 (based on sample grants)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.), with some focus on Linn County, Iowa
  • Total Assets: $69,897,282 (2023)

Contact Details

Address: c/o RSM US LLP, Attn: Shawna Huls, 201 First St SE, Ste 800, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Phone: (319) 298-5333

EIN: 42-6540579

Overview

The Wallace Research Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1996 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The foundation emerged from the 1996 split of the Wallace Genetic Foundation, which was founded in 1959 by Henry A. Wallace—a former U.S. Vice President (1941-1945), Secretary of Agriculture, and founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company. The three trustees of the original Wallace Genetic Foundation amicably divided it into three separate entities to pursue diverse grantmaking interests: the Wallace Genetic Foundation, Wallace Global Fund, and Wallace Research Foundation. With assets of approximately $70 million and annual grantmaking of over $4.4 million, the foundation focuses on supporting research and programs in education, environment, and medical fields. The foundation has recently decided to spend down its entire endowment, with a significant portion supporting the Wallace Centers of Iowa and other legacy organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wallace Research Foundation operates as a private foundation making discretionary grants across three primary areas. Recent grantmaking activity includes 32 awards in 2023 totaling $4,438,375 and 41 awards in 2022 totaling approximately $5 million.

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation supports educational institutions and research programs, particularly at universities conducting cutting-edge research aligned with the foundation's mission.

Environment: Environmental grants focus on conservation, climate research, biodiversity protection, and sustainable practices. Sample grants include funding for climate-focused research centers and environmental conservation organizations.

Medical Research: The foundation supports medical research institutions, particularly university-based programs advancing understanding and treatment of health conditions.

Sample Grant Recipients

Based on available 990-PF data, recent grants include:

  • The Nature Conservancy: $585,000
  • Boston University School of Medicine: $398,224
  • Duke University Medical Center: $300,000
  • Center for Desert Archeology: $259,000
  • Union of Concerned Scientists: $200,000
  • University of Illinois Foundation: $200,000
  • Arizona State University: $125,000
  • Food Allergy Project: $100,000
  • Cold Climate Housing Research Center: $100,000
  • Northern Jaguar Project: $100,000

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation's focus areas suggest they prioritize research-oriented projects over direct service programs.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Wallace Research Foundation is governed by four trustees:

  • Henry Wallace (descendant of founder Henry A. Wallace)
  • Linda Wallace-Gray (descendant of founder Henry A. Wallace)
  • Angus Gilchrist
  • Alex Gilchrist

The trustees represent the family legacy of Henry A. Wallace, whose progressive values and commitment to scientific advancement, human rights, and ecological preservation continue to guide the foundation's grantmaking philosophy.

Foundation History

Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) was a pioneering agriculturalist who founded Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company in 1926, which became the world's first and largest hybrid seed company. His innovations revolutionized American agriculture—by 1943, nearly 100% of Iowa farmland was planted with hybrid seed compared to just 1% in 1933. Wallace served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1933-1940), Vice President under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1941-1945), and Secretary of Commerce (1945-1946). In 1959, he established the Wallace Genetic Foundation with his wife Ilo to support causes advancing "the general welfare of all." In 1999, the Wallace family sold Pioneer Hi-Bred to DuPont for over $1 billion, significantly enhancing the endowments of the Wallace foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Wallace Research Foundation operates as a private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees rather than through an open application process. The foundation identifies and invites organizations that align with its strategic priorities in education, environment, and medical research.

Based on the grant recipients listed in public 990-PF filings, the foundation supports primarily:

  • Major research universities with established programs
  • National conservation and environmental organizations
  • Medical research institutions
  • Scientific research centers

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available as grants are made through trustee discretion rather than scheduled application cycles.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private, invitation-only structure, success in receiving funding typically requires:

Alignment with Legacy Values: Organizations working in areas that reflect Henry A. Wallace's legacy—scientific research, environmental conservation, progressive social causes, and advancement of human welfare—are most likely to receive consideration.

Research Focus: The foundation prioritizes research-oriented projects over direct service programs. Grants to universities and research institutions dominate the foundation's portfolio.

Established Track Record: Grant recipients tend to be well-established institutions with proven research capabilities rather than emerging organizations.

Geographic and Thematic Range: While based in Iowa and supporting some local initiatives, the foundation makes grants nationally. Environmental and conservation projects appear particularly prominent in recent grantmaking.

Significant Grant Sizes: Sample grants range from $100,000 to $585,000, suggesting the foundation prefers making substantial investments in fewer projects rather than numerous small grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Structure: The Wallace Research Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are trustee-directed to organizations identified by the board
  • Research Orientation: Strong preference for research projects at universities and established research institutions over operational or direct service programs
  • Substantial Grant Amounts: Typical grants range from $100,000 to $585,000, indicating the foundation makes significant investments in selected projects
  • Three Focus Areas: Education, environment, and medical research are the three pillars of the foundation's grantmaking
  • Legacy-Driven: The foundation continues the progressive values of founder Henry A. Wallace, particularly in environmental conservation and scientific advancement
  • Spend-Down Phase: The foundation has recently decided to spend down its endowment, which may affect future grantmaking timelines and availability
  • Family Governance: As a family foundation governed by Wallace descendants, relationships and alignment with the family's values are important factors

References

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