← Back to US Funders Directory

Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $522,709 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $19.2 million (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 23 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $5,000 - $200,000
  • Geographic Focus: Iowa (primary), with some out-of-state grants
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 1310 Tulip Tree Lane, West Des Moines, IA 50266 Phone: (515) 669-6081 EIN: 46-3734956

Overview

The Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2015 by Bob Pulver, founder and CEO of All-State Industries, and his wife Deb. Bob Pulver built All-State Industries from a conveyor belt distribution company in 1974 into a multi-state manufacturing business serving Fortune 100 companies across six states. Following Bob's passing in 2021, Deb Pulver continues to lead the foundation as President/Director, with Sherry Wilkinson serving as Secretary/Treasurer/Director. The foundation has grown substantially from $37,041 in assets at inception to over $19.2 million in 2024, distributing approximately $522,709 in grants annually across 20+ organizations. Their philanthropic focus reflects the Pulvers' lifelong commitment to children's healthcare, education, and community development in Iowa and beyond.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a trustee-discretion grant-making program with no formal grant cycles or public application process. Recent grants have ranged from approximately $5,000 to $200,000, with the foundation making 20-23 grants annually.

Priority Areas

Based on the Pulvers' documented philanthropic interests and known grantees, the foundation supports:

  • Children's Healthcare: Major support for Blank Children's Hospital and pediatric health services
  • Education: Support for both K-12 and higher education, including Manhattan College and Iowa State University Foundation
  • Community Development: Iowa State Fair improvements, outdoor recreation, and community infrastructure
  • Youth Development: Boy Scouts, children's programming, and services for disadvantaged youth
  • Medical Research: John Stoddard Cancer Center and medical advancement
  • Arts & Culture: Festival of Trees and Lights and community cultural programming

Known Recent Grantees (2023)

  • Marymount Manhattan College: $200,000
  • Iowa State University Foundation: $107,409
  • Great Outdoors Foundation: $25,000

Historical Philanthropic Commitments

The Pulvers have made significant gifts outside the foundation structure:

  • $1 million+ to Blank Children's Hospital (naming of Deb & Bob Pulver Center for STAR & Developmental Center)
  • $1 million to Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation for fairgrounds preservation

Governance and Leadership

Debra L. Pulver, President/Director Following Bob's death in 2021, Deb has continued their philanthropic legacy, elevating total giving to Blank Children's Hospital alone to more than $1 million. She has been described as a passionate advocate for children's healthcare and has maintained the couple's commitment to Iowa communities.

Sherry Wilkinson, Secretary/Treasurer/Director Handles the administrative and financial management of the foundation.

Bob Pulver (1947-2021), Founder Bob Pulver's approach to philanthropy was characterized by deep, long-term engagement. He served on Blank Children's Hospital's board of directors for 20 years and chaired a capital campaign for the hospital. As he stated about his education at Manhattan College: "I never worked as an engineer, but my educational background taught me to think." This analytical approach extended to his philanthropy, where he focused on organizations where he could make measurable impact. His passion was helping children in need, which drove his decades-long commitment to pediatric healthcare.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. Grants appear to be awarded to organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships or personal connections, particularly in the Iowa community and causes championed by Bob Pulver during his lifetime.

Organizations are not able to submit unsolicited grant applications through a public portal or formal process.

Getting on Their Radar

This section is omitted as no specific, funder-unique strategies for building relationships with this foundation were identified beyond general sector networking that would apply to any private foundation.

Decision Timeline

As a trustee-discretion foundation, there are no fixed decision timelines or announcement dates. Grants are made throughout the year at the discretion of the board.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept public applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can inform relationship-building:

Causes Bob Pulver Championed:

  • Organizations serving children, particularly those in medical need
  • Educational institutions that shaped his or family members' lives
  • Iowa community institutions and infrastructure
  • Youth development programs like Boy Scouts
  • Medical research and cancer treatment

Demonstrated Commitment Style: The Pulvers demonstrated a preference for:

  • Long-term relationships (20 years on Blank Children's Hospital board)
  • Leadership roles in causes they supported (chairing capital campaigns)
  • Naming opportunities that honor family members (Walter Camas '52 Endowed Scholarship at Manhattan College)
  • Significant gifts to transformational projects (STAR Center relocation and expansion)

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for Iowa organizations, particularly those in the Des Moines/West Des Moines area, though education-related grants extend to institutions with family connections like Manhattan College.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation with no public application process - unsolicited proposals are not accepted
  • The foundation is relationship-driven, supporting causes and organizations connected to the Pulver family legacy
  • Primary focus areas are children's healthcare, education (particularly higher education with family ties), and Iowa community development
  • The foundation has substantial assets ($19.2M) and makes grants ranging from small ($5,000) to very large ($200,000+)
  • Deb Pulver continues the philanthropic work following Bob's death, suggesting the foundation will remain active
  • Organizations with existing connections to the Pulver family or causes Bob championed during his lifetime (especially Blank Children's Hospital, Manhattan College, Iowa State Fair, Boy Scouts) are most likely to receive support
  • The foundation appears to make both annual operating grants and capital/project grants based on available data

References

← Back to US Funders Directory