Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation
The Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation was a private foundation based in McPherson, Kansas. Its 2021 IRS filing is marked as a final return, and states that the foundation transferred its remaining cash to the Dalke Charitable Foundation Fund, to be administered by the McPherson Community Foundation. The foundation therefore appears to have wound down; the filing does not establish that it currently makes grants.
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation gave $1.8M across 14 grants in 2021 (avg $128K), mostly in Kansas. 43% of 2021 grantees were new. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $1,796,160
- -28.2% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 14
- +55.6% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $128,297
- -53.8% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (6 of 14, 2021; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The final filing says requests had to be submitted in writing; it lists no required form or materials. It restricts awards to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations located in McPherson County, Kansas.
- Contact
Application contact: Rodger Swanson
Mailing address: 972 12Th Avenue, Mcpherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 242-7521
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was McPherson County Comm Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 33 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing restricted eligible organizations to those located in McPherson County, Kansas. All reported 2021 grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2021
In 2021, 6 of 14 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $177K; repeat grants $92K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 57% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2021). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $94K (2019) to $2.5M (2020). In 2021 it made 14 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| McPherson County Comm Foundation McPherson, KS | Dalke Charitable Foundation Fund | $1,002,160 |
| McPherson College McPherson, KS | Experiential Learning Center Bldg | $600,000 |
| Central Christian College of Kansas McPherson, KS | Student Safety & Athletics Equipment | $52,000 |
| McPherson Healthcare Foundation McPherson, KS | MRI Project | $50,000 |
| Step MC McPherson, KS | Help to End Poverty in McPherson Cty | $20,000 |
| Lindsborg Child DVL Ctr Tuition FD McPherson, KS | Provides Childcare Services | $12,000 |
| McPherson Family YMCA McPherson, KS | Needy Youth | $10,000 |
| Meals on Wheels of McPherson McPherson, KS | Help Feed Elderly | $10,000 |
| Ag in the Classroom McPherson, KS | Agriculture Literacy in Students | $10,000 |
| CASA a Voice for Children Inc Newton, KS | Providing Children with CASA | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2021 filing states that $1,002,160 remaining after charitable gifts and expenses was transferred to the Dalke Charitable Foundation Fund on November 15, 2021, and that a pending tax refund of $4,300 would also be distributed to the fund upon receipt.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $53,256 | $1,880,302 | $1,796,160 | 14 | $1,796,160 | — | $75,646 |
| 2020 | $1,826,190 | $3,086,204 | $2,548,829 | $2,500,000 | 9 | — | $308,711 | $146,837 |
| 2019 | $1,289,522 | $67,407 | $127,506 | $94,000 | 10 | — | $26,575 | $86,676 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $76K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for education, healthcare, youth, food assistance, agriculture literacy, childcare, and services for children and people in need. These are areas reflected in the listed grants, not a stated foundation mission.
Among the grantees, McPherson College describes its mission as developing whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service. Central Christian College of Kansas describes its mission as offering a Christ-centered education for character. McPherson Healthcare Foundation says it works to enhance McPherson Hospital’s facilities and services and to develop projects and programs promoting a comprehensive healthcare system for McPherson County. McPherson Family YMCA describes its mission as strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $1,796,160. The median grant was $10,000; individual grants ranged from $2,000 to $1,002,160. The largest listed awards included $1,002,160 to McPherson County Community Foundation for the Dalke Charitable Foundation Fund and $600,000 to McPherson College for an experiential learning center building. Other listed awards included $52,000 to Central Christian College of Kansas for student safety and athletics equipment, $50,000 to McPherson Healthcare Foundation for an MRI project, and $20,000 to STEP MC to help end poverty in McPherson County.
The filing says the foundation had no specific application form or required information and that all requests had to be in writing. It lists no deadline. Because the 2021 filing is marked final, these instructions should not be treated as current application guidance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Rodger A. Swanson and Randee Koger as trustees.
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's 2021 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2021 are compensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Rodger A. Swanson
Trustee
Co-Trustee → Trustee, 2020
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$16K (2019) → $36K (2021)
Randee Koger
Trustee
New on the 2021 filing
1 hr/week
$5K (2021)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert W. Wise (2019) — Co-Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $36K, to Rodger a Swanson (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation
How much does Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation give each year?
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation gave $1.8M across 14 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $2.5M across 9 grants.
What is Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $10,000, and its average grant was $128,297, across 14 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation that year got $177K on average.
Where does Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation give grants?
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Kansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were McPherson, KS (13 grants).
Does Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include McPherson County Comm Foundation ($1,002,160), McPherson College ($600,000) and Central Christian College of Kansas ($52,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for education, healthcare, youth, food assistance, agriculture literacy, childcare, and services for children and people in need. These are areas reflected in the listed grants, not a stated foundation mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation?
The final filing says requests had to be submitted in writing; it lists no required form or materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $76K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-3040372. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 8, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Figures come from Elmer Dalke Charitable Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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