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Robert W. Plaster Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.7M
Grant Range
$25K - $2.0M

Robert W. Plaster Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4.7 million (approximately 15 grants annually)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (two-stage process)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $600,000+ (median: $337,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Midwestern United States, expanding to other regions
  • Founded: 1983
  • Total Assets: Approximately $73.6 million

Contact Details

Website: robertwplasterfoundation.org

Address: Lebanon, MO 65536

EIN: 43-1369856

Application Contact: Submit Letter of Inquiry through foundation website (contact information available on website)

Overview

The Robert W. Plaster Foundation Inc was established in 1983 by entrepreneur Robert W. Plaster (1929-2008), founder of Empire Gas Corporation. With approximately $73.6 million in assets and annual giving of $4.7 million, the foundation's mission is to expand educational access and promote the virtues of the American free enterprise system through named capital projects. The foundation primarily makes major naming gifts to colleges and universities for Free Enterprise Centers and Schools of Business that house entrepreneurship centers, trading labs, business centers, incubators, accelerators, and research centers. The foundation has partnered with more than 20 colleges and universities across the United States, with a recent expansion beyond its traditional Midwestern focus to include institutions in South Carolina and other regions. The foundation also provides a very limited number of small challenge grants supporting causes consistent with Robert W. Plaster's philosophy of giving in a conservative and Christian environment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Naming Gifts for Free Enterprise Centers (Priority Level 1)

  • Amount: Seven-figure grants (typically $1-2 million+)
  • Description: Naming gift for buildings designated as "Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center"
  • Application: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) required, invitation-only for full proposal

2. Naming Gifts for Schools of Business (Priority Level 2)

  • Amount: Seven-figure grants
  • Description: Naming gift for buildings at colleges/universities that house a school of business, or naming the school of business itself as "Robert W. Plaster School/College of Business"
  • Application: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) required, invitation-only for full proposal

3. Challenge Grants for Ideologically Consistent Programs (Priority Level 3)

  • Amount: $25,000 - $600,000 (limited number awarded annually)
  • Description: Challenge grants for programs put forth by institutions that are ideologically consistent with Robert W. Plaster's values, typically in conservative and Christian environments, usually in communities where family members have familiarity
  • Application: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) required, invitation-only for full proposal

Priority Areas

  • Higher Education Capital Projects: Major capital projects at colleges and universities, particularly for business education facilities
  • Free Enterprise Education: Programs and facilities that promote free enterprise system values and entrepreneurship
  • Midwest Educational Access: Expanding educational opportunities for students in the Midwest with limited financial means
  • Conservative & Christian Values: Programs aligned with conservative ideology and Christian values
  • Named Capital Projects: Physical infrastructure projects that bear the Robert W. Plaster name to create lasting educational opportunities

What They Don't Fund

  • Endowments: No grants for endowment funds
  • Operating Budgets: No support for day-to-day operational expenses
  • Scholarships: No direct scholarship funding to individual students
  • Non-Educational Causes: Focus is exclusively on educational institutions and related programs
  • Outside Geographic Focus: Generally limited to Midwestern United States, though recent expansion to other regions for ideal projects

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was established by Robert W. Plaster, who was born during the Great Depression in Neosho, Missouri. After attending Joplin Junior College but being unable to afford completion, he worked various jobs before founding Empire Gas Corporation in 1963, which became one of the nation's largest propane distributors. His mother's philosophy that "Can't Never Could" shaped his positive thinking approach to business and philanthropy. After achieving financial success, Plaster established the foundation in 1983 with the express purpose of helping open educational opportunities for young people, particularly in southwest Missouri and surrounding regions.

The foundation has a Director of Grants and Strategic Relationships and an Executive Director who oversee the application process. Specific trustee information is not publicly disclosed.

Foundation Philosophy: According to the foundation's materials, Robert W. Plaster believed strongly in giving young people a better educational start than he was able to have, focusing on those with limited financial means who demonstrate ambition and drive.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Robert W. Plaster Foundation operates a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Organizations seeking funding must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) of no more than 2 pages
  • Before submitting: Carefully review the foundation's funding focus on their website at robertwplasterfoundation.org
  • The LOI serves as an initial screening to determine alignment with foundation priorities

Stage 2: Invitation to Submit Full Proposal

  • Upon review of the LOI, the foundation will inform the organization if an invitation to submit a formal proposal is warranted
  • Only invited organizations proceed to the full proposal stage
  • Full proposal requirements are communicated directly to invited applicants

Important: This is an invitation-only process after the initial LOI. Not all LOIs will result in an invitation to submit a full proposal.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Organizations should expect:

  • Initial LOI review period (timeframe not specified)
  • Notification of whether invited to submit full proposal
  • If invited, additional time for full proposal review and decision

Success Rates

Success rates and specific application statistics are not publicly disclosed. The foundation awards approximately 15 grants annually from total applications received, but the total number of applications is not published.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in public materials. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation about reapplication guidelines if their initial LOI is not successful.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

1. Alignment with Foundation Mission The foundation prioritizes projects that align with Robert W. Plaster's core values and mission. According to foundation materials, they are "more likely to give larger sums to projects that are more ideal according to the intent of the Donor." The ideal projects are:

  • Naming gifts for Free Enterprise Centers at colleges/universities
  • Naming gifts for Schools of Business that promote entrepreneurship and free enterprise
  • Programs ideologically consistent with conservative and Christian values

2. Geographic and Ideological Fit

  • Primary focus on Midwestern United States, though expanding to other regions for exceptional projects
  • North Greenville University (South Carolina) was noted as "the first South Carolina university to receive a grant from the foundation" in 2024, indicating openness to non-Midwest projects that align strongly with mission
  • Challenge grants typically awarded in "communities in which family members have familiarity"
  • Programs must align with "Robert W. Plaster's philosophy of giving in a conservative and Christian environment"

3. Capital Project Focus All major grants support physical infrastructure ("named capital projects") rather than programmatic or operational support. Recent examples include:

  • Thomas More University (2023): Naming of Robert W. Plaster College of Business as part of major capital campaign
  • North Greenville University (2024): $20,000 square-foot transformation of historic building into Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center housing College of Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Concordia University Wisconsin: New academic building named Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center
  • Cedarville University (2022): Naming of Robert W. Plaster School of Business
  • Missouri Baptist University: Seven-figure gift for naming of College of Business & Entrepreneurship and construction of new academic building

4. Challenge Grant Strategy For the limited number of smaller challenge grants, the foundation uses a matching strategy "aimed at helping charitable organizations inspire additional support," meaning applicants should demonstrate ability to leverage the foundation's gift to attract other donors.

5. Educational Access Mission The foundation website emphasizes that Robert W. Plaster wanted to "help open educational opportunities for young people, particularly in southwest Missouri and the surrounding region, to give them a better educational start than he was able to have." Applications should demonstrate how the project expands educational access for students with limited means.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on capital projects: The foundation exclusively funds physical infrastructure projects, not programs, operations, or scholarships. Successful applications center on building construction or renovation.

  • Naming opportunity is critical: The foundation's primary interest is in naming rights for Free Enterprise Centers or Schools of Business. Your project should accommodate prominent naming recognition for Robert W. Plaster.

  • Demonstrate ideological alignment: Explicitly connect your institution's mission and values to free enterprise, conservative ideology, and Christian principles. This alignment is a core evaluation criterion.

  • Start with a strong LOI: Your 2-page Letter of Inquiry is your only chance to get invited to the full proposal stage. Make it count by clearly demonstrating alignment with all foundation priorities.

  • Emphasize educational access: Show how your capital project will specifically expand educational opportunities for students with limited financial means, echoing Robert W. Plaster's personal story of being unable to afford college completion.

  • Consider challenge grant structure: For smaller requests, position your ask as a challenge grant that will leverage additional donor support, demonstrating the multiplier effect of the foundation's investment.

  • Geographic considerations: While Midwest focus is traditional, recent grants to South Carolina and other regions show flexibility for exceptionally aligned projects. Don't self-select out if your mission alignment is strong.

References

Accessed: December 24, 2025

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