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Foundations / Iowa

Gabus Foundation

Preselected recipients only Urbandale, Iowa · EIN 421448004

Gabus Foundation is a private foundation in Urbandale, Iowa. In tax year 2025 it gave $500,000 in 10 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $125,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $425,000 the year before.

50% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$361,1119$1.3 million
2024$425,0008$1.3 million
2025$500,00010$1.3 million

How to apply

Gabus 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Gabus Foundation funds

Where it gives

All of its grants went to recipients in Iowa.

StateGrantsAmount
Iowa10$500,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 10 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Meals on Wheels
Johnston, IA
General purpose$125,000
City of Urbandale
Urbandale, IA
General purpose$75,000
Ellipsis
Des Moines, IA
General purpose$50,000
Food Bank of Iowa
Des Moines, IA
General purpose$50,000
Easter Seals Iowa
Des Moines, IA
General purpose$50,000
Freedom for Youth Ministries
Des Moines, IA
General purpose$50,000
Wildwood Hills Ranch
St Charles, IA
General purpose$50,000
Puppy Jake Foundation
Des Moines, IA
General purpose$25,000
Freestore Inc
West Des Moines, IA
General purpose$15,000
Can Play
West Des Moines, IA
General purpose$10,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Gabus Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does Gabus Foundation give?

$500,000 in tax year 2025, across 10 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.

Who runs Gabus Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Dee Kading (Treasurer &), Jan Gabus (President) and Lynne Gabus (Vice Preside).

What does Gabus Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly food and hunger.

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