Bookey Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Bookey Family Foundation is a private foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. In tax year 2025 it gave $404,914 in 45 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $33,400. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$404,914
- Number of grants45
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$33,400
- Assets$12.5 million
- New grantees44%
Giving in 2025 was down from $1.1 million the year before.
44% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $829,971 | 44 | $4.0 million |
| 2024 | $1.1 million | 59 | $9.4 million |
| 2025 | $404,914 | 45 | $12.5 million |
How to apply
Bookey Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Bookey Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to Iowa.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 26 | $198,161 |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $46,585 |
| New York | 3 | $45,357 |
| Illinois | 2 | $30,000 |
| California | 2 | $25,311 |
| Virginia | 1 | $25,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $10,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $5,000 |
| Maine | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Art Center | General support | $33,400 |
| By Degrees Foundation | General support | $26,000 |
| Immigrant and Refugee Outreach Center | General support | $25,000 |
| Iowa Soccer Development Foundation | General support | $25,000 |
| United Way of Central Iowa | General support | $25,000 |
| Madre | General support | $20,129 |
| Honeycomb Project | General support | $20,000 |
| Creative Visions | General support | $17,500 |
| Uc Law San Francisco | General support | $15,311 |
| City University of New York School of Law Foundation | General support | $15,228 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines | General support | $15,000 |
| Thrive DC | General support | $10,861 |
| Ayuda Inc | General support | $10,413 |
| Des Moines Performing Arts | General support | $10,311 |
| Housing Up | General support | $10,311 |
| Coalition on Homelessness | General support | $10,000 |
| Des Moines Symphony | General support | $10,000 |
| Florida Freedom to Read | General support | $10,000 |
| Global Impact | General support | $10,000 |
| Haitian Womens Collective | General support | $10,000 |
| Mujeres Unidas Y Activas | General support | $10,000 |
| We Need Diverse Books | General support | $10,000 |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Foundation | General support | $5,000 |
| Drake University | General support | $5,000 |
| Greater Washington Community Foundation | General support | $5,000 |
| Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti | General support | $5,000 |
| Sakala International | General support | $5,000 |
| Food Bank of Iowa | General support | $3,500 |
| Above & Beyond Cancer | General support | $2,500 |
| Des Moines Community Playhouse | General support | $2,500 |
| Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation | General support | $2,500 |
| Humanity Funds | General support | $2,500 |
| Iowa Stage Theater | General support | $2,500 |
| Oakridge Neighborhood Services | General support | $2,500 |
| University of Iowa Foundation | General support | $2,500 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation | General support | $2,000 |
| Hope Ministries | General support | $1,500 |
| Iowa Public Radio | General support | $1,500 |
| Friends of Des Moines Parks | General support | $1,000 |
| Iowa Legal Aid | General support | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Pamela-Bass Bookey
- Harry Bookey
Questions people ask
Does Bookey Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Bookey Family Foundation give?
$404,914 in tax year 2025, across 45 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Bookey Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Pamela-Bass Bookey (VP, Secretary & Director) and Harry Bookey (President, Treasurer & Director).
What does Bookey Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, human services and international.