Louis J Elbert Trust
The Louis J Elbert Trust is a private foundation based in Algona, Iowa. It provides scholarships for Pocahontas Area High School District graduates pursuing post-secondary education.
Louis J Elbert Trust at a glance
In short: Louis J Elbert Trust gave $8K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $760), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,600
- +15.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $760
- +3.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $400
- Total assets
- $216,291
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Iowa (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Louis J Elbert Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The filing lists Stacey Schellhammer as the contact, says the form and materials are attached, and states that restrictions are scholarships for Pocahontas Area High School students and general support for universities.
- Contact
Application contact: Stacey Schellhammer
Mailing address: 205 2Nd Ave Nw, Pocahontas, IA 50574
Phone: (712) 335-4848
Email: sschellhammer@pocahontas.k12.ia.us
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Louis J Elbert Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 50 grants of 50 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Algona, Iowa. In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa and 11% to recipients in an individual recipient All listed 2025 grants were for scholarships for Pocahontas Area High School graduates.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Louis J Elbert Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2021) to $14K (2019). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $8K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $7,600 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $216,291 | $5,179 | $9,702 | $7,600 | 10 | $9,098 | $6,693 | $9,140 |
| 2024 | $220,814 | $5,252 | $8,766 | $6,600 | 9 | $8,172 | $6,346 | $9,188 |
| 2023 | $224,328 | $4,239 | $9,764 | $7,560 | 17 | $9,141 | $5,705 | $9,347 |
| 2022 | $229,853 | $4,000 | $10,571 | $8,045 | 13 | $9,985 | $4,449 | $10,265 |
| 2021 | $236,424 | $4,017 | $8,773 | $6,290 | 1 | $7,512 | $2,756 | $11,624 |
| 2020 | $241,189 | $5,267 | $16,472 | $13,000 | 1 | — | $3,363 | $12,205 |
| 2019 | $252,395 | $6,381 | $17,883 | $14,390 | 1 | — | $4,761 | $12,501 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Louis J Elbert Trust reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it provides scholarships to Pocahontas Area High School District graduates for post-secondary education. Its 2025 filing also lists scholarship support for Pocahontas Area High School students and general support for universities as award restrictions.
The foundation’s 2025 grants went to colleges and universities. An individual recipient Community College’s foundation says its purpose is to receive and manage gifts and contributions for the college. Buena Vista University says it prepares students for lifelong success through transformational educational experiences. The University of Northern Iowa Foundation says its mission is to grow and sustain private resources and relationships in support of the university and its community. Northwestern College describes itself as a Christian academic community, and Upper Iowa University says it provides accessible educational opportunities to inspire success and empower lives.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $7,600 through 10 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $400 to $3,200, with a median of $400. The largest grants were $3,200 to an individual recipient Community College, $800 each to Buena Vista University and the University of an individual recipient, and $400 each to Morningside College, an individual recipient Area Community College, Northwestern College, an individual recipient State University, Upper Iowa University, an individual recipient Community College, and the University of an individual recipient The listed purposes were scholarships for Pocahontas Area High School graduates.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Iowa State Bank as trustee.
Louis J Elbert Trust's only listed officer is Iowa State Bank, Trustee on every filing since 2022 (uncompensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Iowa State Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Iowa State Bank Kristie A Brown (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Availa Bank Stephen Baade (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Louis J Elbert Trust
How much does Louis J Elbert Trust give each year?
Louis J Elbert Trust gave $8K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7K across 9 grants.
What is Louis J Elbert Trust's typical grant size?
Louis J Elbert Trust's median grant in 2025 was $400, and its average grant was $760, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Louis J Elbert Trust give grants?
Louis J Elbert Trust gives mostly in Iowa: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Dakota (11%).
Does Louis J Elbert Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Louis J Elbert Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships for Pocahontas Area High School Graduates" (10 grants).
How large is Louis J Elbert Trust?
Louis J Elbert Trust reported $216K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Louis J Elbert Trust fund?
The foundation states that it provides scholarships to Pocahontas Area High School District graduates for post-secondary education. Its 2025 filing also lists scholarship support for Pocahontas Area High School students and general support for universities as award restrictions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Louis J Elbert Trust?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Louis J Elbert Trust's EIN?
Louis J Elbert Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1301198. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Louis J Elbert Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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