Martha Ellen Tye Foundation
The Martha Ellen Tye Foundation is a private foundation based in Marshalltown, Iowa. Established there in 1976 by Martha-Ellen Tye, it now describes its purpose as helping Marshalltown thrive through bold, community-rooted investments in people, place, and possibility.
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation at a glance
In short: Martha Ellen Tye Foundation gave $1.0M across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in Iowa. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,028,970
- +16.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- +5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,724
- +10.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $27,873,156
- +7.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (12 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Martha Ellen Tye Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Heidi Dalal Co Martha Ellen Tye Fou
Mailing address: 16 East Main, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: (641) 752-8340
Website: https://marthaellentyefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Martha Ellen Tye Foundation
Who Martha Ellen Tye Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fisher Governor Foundation ($289K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $878K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
209 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 184 grants of 209 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website emphasizes Marshalltown, Iowa, and excludes projects or programs taking place outside the Marshalltown area. The 2024 filing states that awards are restricted to organizations located in Marshall County, Iowa, or San Antonio, Texas. In filing year 2024, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa and 7% to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Martha Ellen Tye Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 38 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−20%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $885K (2023) to $1.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $260,000 |
| Fisher Governor Foundation Marshalltown, IA | Director's Grant | $250,000 |
| Marshalltown Education Partnership Inc Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $80,000 |
| Trail Resources and Iowa Land Stewards Inc Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $55,000 |
| Marshalltown Community Schools Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $50,000 |
| St Paul's Episcopal Church Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $40,000 |
| Fisher Governor Foundation Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $39,390 |
| Marshalltown Community College Foundation Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution Scholarships | $37,500 |
| County of Marshall Marshalltown, IA | Annual Contribution | $25,000 |
| Opera San Antonio San Antonio, TX | Annual Contribution | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $27,873,156 | $2,140,493 | $1,494,678 | $1,028,970 | 40 | $1,383,410 | $1,992,591 | $1,341,638 |
| 2023 | $25,823,669 | $1,218,665 | $1,349,589 | $885,113 | 38 | $1,230,305 | $1,099,381 | $1,202,760 |
| 2022 | $23,862,124 | $555,968 | $1,597,887 | $1,070,633 | 39 | $1,405,994 | $449,153 | $1,244,689 |
| 2021 | $29,872,493 | $2,393,678 | $1,746,147 | $1,284,710 | 42 | $1,589,080 | $2,236,611 | $1,421,675 |
| 2020 | $28,180,375 | $-604,960 | $1,525,879 | $1,056,484 | 50 | — | $460,486 | $1,240,071 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Martha Ellen Tye Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to help Marshalltown thrive through bold, community-rooted investments in people, place, and possibility. Its website identifies three strategic priorities: developing community champions through leadership development; elevating pride, identity, and belonging through arts and cultural strategies; and strengthening civic and cultural infrastructure through investment in the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center.
The 2024 grants also show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Marshall County Arts and Culture Alliance describes its mission as connecting the community to arts and culture and enriching opportunities in Marshalltown. Marshalltown Education Partnership says it raises funds for scholarships for qualified Marshalltown High School graduates attending Marshalltown Community College as first-generation college students. Trail Resources and Iowa Land Stewards says it provides recreational trails in and around Marshall County. Other 2024 recipients included organizations whose stated missions involve college scholarships, children’s theater, food and shelter, and preventing child abuse.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 40 grants totaling $1,028,970. Grant amounts ranged from $780 to $260,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest awards included $260,000 to Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance, $250,000 to Fisher Governor Foundation, $80,000 to Marshalltown Education Partnership, $55,000 to Trail Resources and Iowa Land Stewards, and $50,000 to Marshalltown Community Schools. The filing described the first, third, fourth, and fifth awards as annual contributions; the $250,000 award to Fisher Governor Foundation was described as a director’s grant.
The foundation’s website says it is accepting Letters of Intent for projects and programs in 2027. An LOI should outline the project or program purpose, community partners, expected outcomes, budget summary, and connection to one or more of the foundation’s priorities. Selected organizations are invited to submit a full application; the website says successful applicants receive funding and staff support through the grant process. The 2024 filing lists narrative, an explanation of the grant’s purpose, and proof of tax-exempt status as application materials. The website excludes projects outside the Marshalltown, Iowa area, annual campaigns, requests under $1,000, individuals, certain organizations without 501(c)(3) status, and organizations that discriminate on specified grounds. The filing separately states that awards are restricted to organizations located in Marshall County, Iowa, or San Antonio, Texas.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Matthew Fisher as president, David Tank as vice president, and Sharon Greer as secretary and treasurer. Directors listed are John Hermanson, Kara O’Toole, Nick O’Toole, Anne Howsare Boyens, Carol Hibbs, Steven Tye, and Mike Rauber.
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation is led by Heidi Dalal, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Heidi Dalal
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $125K (2024)
Matthew Fisher
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Hibbs
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Hermanson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kara O'Toole
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick O'Toole
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Tye
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Howsare Boyens
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Rauber
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Tank
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Greer
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Nate McCormick (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Terry Buzbee (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Karn Gregoire (2020–2021) — Former Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $125K, to Heidi Dalal (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Martha Ellen Tye Foundation
How much does Martha Ellen Tye Foundation give each year?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation gave $1.0M across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $885K across 38 grants.
What is Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's typical grant size?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $25,724, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Martha Ellen Tye Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Martha Ellen Tye Foundation give grants?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Marshalltown, IA (17 grants), San Antonio, TX (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Des Moines, IA (2 grants).
Does Martha Ellen Tye Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Contribution" (35 grants).
Who are Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's largest grantees?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Fisher Governor Foundation ($289,390 across 2 grants), Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance ($260,000) and Marshalltown Education Partnership Inc ($80,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Martha Ellen Tye Foundation?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation reported $27.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Martha Ellen Tye Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to help Marshalltown thrive through bold, community-rooted investments in people, place, and possibility. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Martha Ellen Tye Foundation?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check marthaellentyefoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's EIN?
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1055988. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Martha Ellen Tye Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/martha-ellen-tye-foundation-morg_29fc09ccf1d642ac9f964b78541fd29f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421055988_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Martha Ellen Tye Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/martha-ellen-tye-foundation-morg_29fc09ccf1d642ac9f964b78541fd29f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Martha Ellen Tye 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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