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John Ruan Foundation Trust

Des Moines, Iowa  ·  EIN 426059463  ·  Private foundation

John Ruan Foundation Trust is a private foundation based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $5.6M in grants paid and $103.6M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 227 individual grants from this funder — $17.9M awarded across 2021–2025 — including its support for arts & culture. Below is its full funding profile.

$5.6M
Annual giving (FY2021)
$103.6M
Total assets
227
Grants tracked
2025
Most recent grant

What John Ruan Foundation Trust funds

John Ruan Foundation Trust's giving carries a documented focus on arts & culture, education, environment & conservation, health care, higher education, and related causes.

Arts & CultureEducationEnvironment & ConservationHealth CareHigher EducationSports & RecreationYouth Development

Populations it has supported include youth pop.

youth pop

Grant history

The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for John Ruan Foundation Trust, by amount:

RecipientLocationGrantYear
Us Chamber Foundation
General Operating
Washington, DC$1.6M2021
Blank Park Zoo Foundation
Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities
Des Moines, IA$1.5M2023
Mercy One Foundation
General Operations
Des Moines, IA$1.0M2025
University of Iowa Foundation
General Operations
Iowa City, IA$1.0M2025
University of Iowa
Sports, Athletic
Iowa City, IA$1.0M2024
Drake University
Schools, Colleges and Related Activities
Des Moines, IA$850K2023
Northwestern University
General Operating
Evanston, IL$750K2021
Blank Park Zoo Foundation
Cultural, Historical or Other Education Activities
Des Moines, IA$510K2024
Des Moines Area Community College
Schools, Colleges and Related Activities
Ankeny, IA$505K2024
Childserve
Health Services and Related Activities
Johnston, IA$500K2024
Community Foundation Leadership Circle
General Operating
Des Moines, IA$500K2021
Evans Scholars Foundation
Activities Directed to Other Organizations
Glenview, IL$500K2023
Friends of Des Moines Parks
Sports, Athletic
Des Moines, IA$500K2023
Mercy One Foundation
Health Services and Related Activities
Des Moines, IA$500K2025
Des Moines Botanical Center
General Operating
Des Moines, IA$461K2021

John Ruan Foundation Trust giving by year

Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:

2021$5.6M
2023$4.2M
2024$4.0M
2025$4.0M

How to apply for funding from John Ruan Foundation Trust

John Ruan Foundation Trust's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.

Is John Ruan Foundation Trust the right funder for your nonprofit?

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Frequently asked questions about John Ruan Foundation Trust

Does John Ruan Foundation Trust accept grant applications?
John Ruan Foundation Trust's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
What does John Ruan Foundation Trust fund?
John Ruan Foundation Trust's grants focus on arts & culture. Recent recipients include Us Chamber Foundation, Blank Park Zoo Foundation, Mercy One Foundation. Its full grant history is listed above.
How much does John Ruan Foundation Trust give in grants?
John Ruan Foundation Trust reported $5.6M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2021). Across all years in our data it has awarded $17.9M over 227 grants.
Where is John Ruan Foundation Trust located?
John Ruan Foundation Trust is based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 426059463.
How can I find foundations similar to John Ruan Foundation Trust?
Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like John Ruan Foundation Trust, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.

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Foundations similar to John Ruan Foundation Trust

Other Iowa grantmakers with overlapping priorities:

About this profile. This page is built from John Ruan Foundation Trust's public IRS Form 990-PF and 990 filings, indexed by Bespoke Grants alongside 13M+ grants from 225,000+ U.S. foundations. Grant figures reflect filings available to date; IRS data publishes on a 1–2 year lag. Bespoke Grants is not affiliated with John Ruan Foundation Trust. Always confirm current giving priorities and application procedures with the foundation directly before applying.