Gerdin Charitable Foundation

EIN 42-1462088 · IA · NTEE T20Z

Invitation only Typical grant ~$500K Funds in IA, WA
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Giving Profile

In 2025, Gerdin Charitable Foundation based in IA paid 9 grants totaling $6.9M to 7 organizations across 2 states. Individual grants ranged from $1K to $3M, with a median of $500K. Its largest recipients included LUTHER COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT, and IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$64,029,695
Giving (latest yr)
$6,853,500
Filing year
2025
Itemized grants
9
Median grant
$500K
Recipients
7
States reached
2
Officers/trustees
4
Unsolicited applications
No — invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • Luther College$3,000,000
  • University of Iowa Center for Advancement$2,500,000
  • Iowa State University$550,000
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center$550,000
  • Unitypoint Health St Luke's Foundation$250,000

Where grants went

  • Iowa$6,303,500 · 8 grants
  • Washington$550,000 · 1 grant

Grants Paid (9)

Luther College
Decorah, IA
Regents Center Renovation Project
$3,000,000
University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Iowa City, IA
Support for Womens Athletics Scholarships
$1,250,000
University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Iowa City, IA
U of I Health Care Catalyst Fund Support
$1,250,000
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, WA
Naive T Cell Depletion Research Support
$550,000
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
General Operating Fund
$500,000
Unitypoint Health St Luke's Foundation
Cedar Rapids, IA
Support for the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health
$250,000
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
Tahira K. Hira Professorship Fund Support
$50,000
Alzheimer's Association Iowa Chapter
West Des Moines, IA
General Operating Fund
$2,500
Community Foundation of Johnson County
Coralville, IA
Coralville Asian Festival Support
$1,000

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. Gerdin Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.

In its most recent filing, Gerdin Charitable Foundation reported 9 itemized grants totaling $6.9M. Individual grants ranged from $1K to $3M (median $500K).

Recent recipients include LUTHER COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, among 7 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

Gerdin Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Iowa, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

Gerdin Charitable Foundation gives by invitation only, so there is no open application. Officer and address details from its 990-PF are the best starting point for an introduction.

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