Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
The Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Founded by Max and Helen Guernsey, longtime residents of the Waterloo community, it makes grants to support charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes and works in partnership with others to improve community vitality.
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation gave $2.2M across 125 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Iowa. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,186,400
- -14.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 125
- -8.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,491
- -7.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,000
- Total assets
- $49,906,388
- +3.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (33 of 113, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The website directs applicants to submit requests through its online grants system. The foundation’s 2024 filing says applications should be submitted in writing, state the purpose and amount requested, and include financial statements and proof of eligible tax-exempt or public-purpose status.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists March 15 for May decisions and September 15 for November decisions. The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website lists March 15 for May decisions and September 15 for November decisions.
- Contact
Application contact: Max Helen Guernsey Charitable Found
Mailing address: 3826 Cedar Heights Drive Ste 1, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: (319) 226-3434
Website: https://guernseyfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
Who Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Waterloo ($55K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $424K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
533 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 529 grants of 533 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website lists eight Iowa counties for grantmaking: Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama. In filing year 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to Iowa recipients, 2% to California recipients, 1% to Kansas recipients, and a reported less than 1% to Nebraska recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 125 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 33 of 113 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2023) to $2.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 125 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Valley Preschool & Childcare Center Cedar Falls, IA | Building Bright Futures Program | $35,000 |
| City of Tama Tama, IA | Capital for Safe Routes to School Network | $35,000 |
| Successlink Inc Waterloo, IA | Together 4 Youth Programming | $35,000 |
| Transformations by Cedar Valley Angels Waterloo, IA | Dare to Dream & Love Box Programs | $35,000 |
| UNI Foundation Cedar Falls, IA | Kaleidoscope, theatre 4 very young, talent search series pgms | $33,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley Waterloo, IA | Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Bremer County Fair Association Sumner, IA | Capital - 4H/FFA Youth Enrichment Center | $30,000 |
| Cedar Bend Humane Society Waterloo, IA | Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Cedar Valley Friends of the Family Waterloo, IA | Housing Stability Program | $30,000 |
| Cedar Valley Hospice Inc Waterloo, IA | Operating Support | $30,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,906,388 | $3,385,190 | $2,540,091 | $2,186,400 | 125 | $2,361,726 | $3,256,360 | $2,381,841 |
| 2024 | $48,163,592 | $1,664,539 | $2,891,503 | $2,560,800 | 136 | $2,750,144 | $1,531,788 | $2,256,294 |
| 2023 | $45,526,447 | $2,292,504 | $2,160,002 | $1,350,500 | 77 | $1,553,207 | $875,879 | $1,773,148 |
| 2022 | $42,706,607 | $3,244,248 | $2,675,472 | $1,820,000 | 103 | $1,999,437 | $1,632,072 | $2,130,443 |
| 2021 | $48,641,315 | $3,241,723 | $2,179,096 | $1,592,500 | 92 | — | $2,079,593 | $2,006,173 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2025 — 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 mission is to work in partnership with others to improve the vitality of its community, addressing issues important now and into the future. Its website identifies four grantmaking categories: social issues; education; family life and community betterment; and health, recreation, and fitness.
Its 2025 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and activities. For example, Cedar Valley Friends of the Family received $30,000 for a housing stability program, and Cedar Valley Hospice received $30,000 for operating support. The an individual recipient Food Bank describes its mission as providing nutritious food and grocery products to nonprofits and individuals in northeast Iowa while offering hunger education. Youth Art Team describes its mission as encouraging young people to develop their creative potential through art and lifelong relationships.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 125 grants totaling $2,186,400. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $35,000, with a median of $16,000; the foundation’s website describes typical awards as $1,000–$35,000. Among the largest reported grants were $35,000 to Cedar Valley Preschool & Childcare Center for its Building Bright Futures Program, $35,000 to the City of Tama for capital for a Safe Routes to School network, and $35,000 to SuccessLink Inc. for Together 4 Youth programming. Other grants of $30,000 included operating support for Cedar Bend Humane Society and housing stability programming for Cedar Valley Friends of the Family.
The website says applicants may apply once per year through its online grants system. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the office for guidance and may be invited to meet with the full board before decisions. Required materials include proof of tax-exempt status, project or program and operating budgets, the most recent Form 990, a balance sheet or statement of financial position, and the prior year’s actual income and expense statement. Applicants must submit a documentation-of-contribution form after receiving an award, and a grant report is required 9–12 months after funds are received. A report must be submitted before applying again the following year. Awards are limited to qualifying charitable, scientific, literary, or educational organizations, government entities using funds solely for public purposes, or other eligible public-purpose uses described under the applicable federal tax provisions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gary Nelson as trustee chair, Thomas R. Paulsen as finance committee chair, Harold B. Strever Jr. as administrative committee chair, Lois M. Johnson as secretary, and Soo Greiman as trustee. The foundation’s website identifies Shannon Hickman as executive director.
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation is led by Gary Nelson, Trustee Chair on every filing since 2021; all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gary Nelson
Trustee Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$8K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Harold B. Strever Jr.
Administrator Committee Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$8K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Thomas R. Paulsen
Finance Committee Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$8K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Soo Greiman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$8K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Lois M. Johnson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$8K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $10K, to Thomas R Paulsen (Finance Committee Chair). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
How much does Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation give each year?
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation gave $2.2M across 125 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 136 grants.
What is Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $16,000, and its average grant was $17,491, across 125 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation give grants?
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Iowa: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Waterloo, IA (60 grants), Cedar Falls, IA (19 grants), Waverly, IA (10 grants) and Des Moines, IA (4 grants).
Does Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 34% of Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 125) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Police K9 Program" (4 grants).
Who are Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City of Waterloo ($55,000 across 3 grants), Cedar Falls Community Theatre ($50,000 across 2 grants) and Waterloo Community Foundation ($50,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation?
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation reported $49.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (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 Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to work in partnership with others to improve the vitality of its community, addressing issues important now and into the future. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation?
The website directs applicants to submit requests through its online grants system. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1460664. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021 (received by the IRS December 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/max-and-helen-guernsey-charitable-foundation-morg_2018c95612834a5fa682f911dc3c009f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421460664_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/max-and-helen-guernsey-charitable-foundation-morg_2018c95612834a5fa682f911dc3c009f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Max and Helen Guernsey 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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