Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.2 million in 125 grants; the typical grant was $16,000 and the largest $35,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.2 million
- Number of grants125
- Typical grant$16,000
- Largest grant$35,000
- Assets$49.9 million
- New grantees46%
Giving in 2024 was down from $2.6 million the year before.
46% of its 2024 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 | $2.6 million | 136 | $48.2 million |
| 2024 | $2.2 million | 125 | $49.9 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Max Helen Guernsey Charitable Found 3826 Cedar Heights Drive Ste 1, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (319) 226-3434 |
| What to submit | Applications should be submitted in writing identifying the purpose and amount requested. The application should be accompanied by financial statements and proof of 501(c)(3) organization status or verification that the organization will use the funds exclusively for public purposes or as otherwise described in irc section 170(c)(1). |
| Restrictions | All awards must be to charitable, scientific, literary, or educational organizations within the meaning of irc section 501(c)(3) or exclusively for public purposes or as otherwise described in irc section 170(c)(1). |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Iowa.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 121 | $2.1 million |
| California | 2 | $48,000 |
| Kansas | 1 | $15,000 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Valley Preschool & Childcare Center | Building bright futures program | $35,000 |
| City of Tama | Capital for safe routes to school network | $35,000 |
| Successlink Inc | Together 4 youth programming | $35,000 |
| Transformations by Cedar Valley Angels | Dare to dream & love box programs | $35,000 |
| Uni Foundation | Kaleidoscope, theatre 4 very young, talent search series pgms | $33,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Bremer County Fair Association | Capital - 4h/ffa youth enrichment center | $30,000 |
| Cedar Bend Humane Society | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Cedar Valley Friends of the Family | Housing stability program | $30,000 |
| Cedar Valley Hospice Inc | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Christian Community Dev DBA House of Hope | Operating expenses | $30,000 |
| City of Waterloo | Capital - gates/byrnes park construction | $30,000 |
| City of Waucoma | Capital - new fire station | $30,000 |
| City of Wellsburg | Capital - playground equipment | $30,000 |
| Dunkerton Historical Society | Capital - museum construction | $30,000 |
| Friends of National Cattle Congress | Program discovery | $30,000 |
| Grin & Grow LTD | Program expenses - gap funding for low income families | $30,000 |
| Grout Museum Inc | Educational programming | $30,000 |
| Hawkeye Community College Foundation | Hawkeye celebrates the arts! Program | $30,000 |
| Inrcog | Waterloo housing trust fund project | $30,000 |
| Iowa Heartland Habitiat for Humanity | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Jesup Elementary PTO | Capital for elementary school playground | $30,000 |
| Marching Against the Darkness | Programming - 2025 expo & competition | $30,000 |
| Northeast Iowa Food Bank | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Riverview Center Inc | Crisis intervention program | $30,000 |
| Riyo Refugee & Immigrant & Youth Organization | Refugee & immigrant youth programming | $30,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Salvation Army | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Simulation in Motion Iowa | Programming support | $30,000 |
| St Lucas Firefighters Association Inc | Capital for new equipment | $30,000 |
| Vision to Learn | Operating support - vision care for bh county students | $30,000 |
| Waterloo Community Foundation | Koats 4 kids program | $30,000 |
| Waterloo Community Playhouse | 2025 season of searching program | $30,000 |
| Waypoint Services | Domestic violence victim services program | $30,000 |
| Youth Art Team | Operating support & staff development | $30,000 |
| YWCA of Black Hawk County | Youth & family services programming | $30,000 |
| All in Mentoring | Mentoring program | $25,000 |
| Americans for Independent Living | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Back 2 Basics | Youth empowerment program | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Thomas R Paulsen
- Gary Nelson
- Harold B Strever Jr
- Lois M Johnson
- Soo Greiman
Questions people ask
Does Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation give?
$2.2 million in tax year 2024, across 125 grants, with a typical grant of $16,000.
Who runs Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Thomas R Paulsen (Finance Committee Chair), Gary Nelson (Trustee Chair), Harold B Strever Jr (Admin Committee Chair) and Lois M Johnson (Secretary) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, education and human services.