The Bright Foundation
Urbandale, Iowa · EIN 426073848 · Private foundation
The Bright Foundation is a private foundation based in Urbandale, Iowa. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $1.8M in grants paid and $35.9M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 31 individual grants from this funder — $10.7M awarded across 2019–2025 — including its support for higher education. Below is its full funding profile.
What The Bright Foundation funds
The Bright Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on higher education.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The Bright Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University Foundation Scholarships | Ames, IA | $953K | 2024 |
| Iowa State University Foundation Scholarships | Ames, IA | $904K | 2025 |
| Iowa State University Foundation General Fund/Scholarships | Ames, IA | $871K | 2023 |
| University of Iowa Center for Advancement Scholarships | Iowa City, IA | $861K | 2024 |
| University of Iowa Center for Advancement Scholarships | Iowa City, IA | $803K | 2025 |
| University of Iowa GENERAL FUND/SCHOLARSHIPS | Iowa City, IA | $787K | 2019 |
| University of Iowa Center for Advancement General Fund/Scholarships | Iowa City, IA | $733K | 2023 |
| Iowa State University GENERAL FUND/SCHOLARSHIPS | Ames, IA | $704K | 2021 |
| Iowa State University GENERAL FUND/SCHOLARSHIPS | Ames, IA | $703K | 2019 |
| University of Iowa GENERAL FUND/SCHOLARSHIPS | Iowa City, IA | $632K | 2021 |
| University of Northern Iowa Foundation Scholarships | Cedar Falls, IA | $616K | 2024 |
| University of Northern Iowa Foundation Scholarships | Cedar Falls, IA | $554K | 2023 |
| University of Northern Iowa Foundation Scholarships | Cedar Falls, IA | $495K | 2025 |
| University of Northern Iowa SCHOLARSHIPS | Cedar Falls, IA | $378K | 2019 |
| University of Northern Iowa SCHOLARSHIPS | Cedar Falls, IA | $347K | 2021 |
The Bright Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from The Bright Foundation
The Bright Foundation'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. You can review the foundation directly at brightiowa.org.
Is The Bright Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
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Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about The Bright Foundation
- Does The Bright Foundation accept grant applications?
- The Bright Foundation'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 The Bright Foundation fund?
- The Bright Foundation's grants focus on higher education. Recent recipients include Iowa State University Foundation, Iowa State University Foundation, Iowa State University Foundation. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does The Bright Foundation give in grants?
- The Bright Foundation reported $1.8M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2021). Across all years in our data it has awarded $10.7M over 31 grants.
- Where is The Bright Foundation located?
- The Bright Foundation is based in Urbandale, Iowa. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 426073848.
- How can I find foundations similar to The Bright Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The Bright Foundation, 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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