Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small nonprofit should not send a cold proposal and should instead look for a route in through someone who already knows the foundation.
- Its grants span higher education, arts, churches, youth, health and animal welfare, so the work may fit, but the filing does not state a common theme or applicant criteria.
- About 8 in 10 of its 71 grants fall between $500 and $100,000, with a median of $2,500, so a modest request is more realistic; the largest grant was $250,000, so that band is typical rather than a limit.
- Repeat funding is common, with 46% of its grant dollars in the latest filing going to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, which suggests existing relationships matter.
- No geographic focus is stated, though the filings show grants mainly in Iowa and New York, which is worth knowing but is not a rule about who may apply.
Overview
Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation is a US private foundation based in West Des Moines, IA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The grant record shows support for a varied group of charitable organisations: higher-education institutions and hospital foundations; arts and cultural bodies, a zoo and other public attractions; churches; and organisations working in youth, family, cancer, health and animal welfare. It also includes community and education foundations, outdoor organisations and equestrian bodies. Most recorded grants are described as general operating budget support. The filings do not state a common programme theme or applicant criteria, and the range of recipients shows giving across several fields rather than one dominant charitable purpose.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Iowa and New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 46% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 71 grants to organisations were $2,500 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 34% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 46% of grant dollars went to organisations Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 27 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $2,500 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation · General operating budget$250,0002024 tax year
- Manhattan College · General operating budget$200,0002024 tax year
- Blank Park Zoo Foundation · General operating budget$150,0002024 tax year
- Strands of Strength · General operating budget$45,7502024 tax year
- Iowa State University Foundation · General operating budget$21,0522024 tax year
- MercyOne Des Moines Foundation · General operating budget$20,0002024 tax year
- Above & Beyond Cancer · General operating budget$10,5002024 tax year
- Highlands Church · General operating budget$10,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Sherry Wilkinson — Secretary / Treasurer / Director
- Debra L Pulver — President / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $484,874 | $463,716 | $1,285,569 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $671,999 | $522,709 | $19,406,552 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $984,552 | $759,552 | $21,118,521 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- West Des Moines, IA
Applying to Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- West Des Moines, IA