Max and Helen Guernsey
The Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1996 and incorporated on July 9, 1996. Based in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the foundation operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes. The foundation was created by Max and Helen Guernsey, longtime residents of the Waterloo community, to distribute resources in support of their faith and belief in people.
Key facts about Max and Helen Guernsey
- EIN
- 42-1460664
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,186,400
- Grants made (2025)
- 125
- Average grant
- $17,491
- Median grant
- $16,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (38 of 113, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Max and Helen Guernsey funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Max and Helen Guernsey's 125 itemized 2025 grants were Iowa (97%). 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). 34% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Police K9 Program" (4 grants).
Is Max and Helen Guernsey open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 38 of 113 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.2M
-14.6% YoY
Grant Count
125
-8.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-7.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to work in partnership with others to improve the vitality of the community, addressing issues important now and in the future.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education that builds character
- Programs that enhance family life
- Key social issues
- Science programs that aim for community betterment
- Health and life skills
- Sports and fitness
- Activities that recognize the value of people
Grantmaking
The foundation began funding and granting officially in October 1997. In 1998, the foundation awarded and disbursed 19 grants to organizations and charities. By 1999, the foundation continued to grow in number and diversity of grant disbursements, with 29 grants awarded.
Ready to take the next step with Max and Helen Guernsey?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama counties in Iowa. Grant-making also extends to California and Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 125 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (FY 2024):
- Total Assets: $48.2–$49.9 million
- Total Revenues: $1.66 million
- Total Expenses: $2.89 million
- Total Liabilities: $20.1 thousand
- Total Giving: $2.18 million
Revenue Composition (FY 2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $1.28 million
- Total grants and contributions: $0
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since February 1997
- EIN: 42-1460664
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
533 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Max and Helen Guernsey
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include City of Waterloo ($55,000 across 3 grants), Cedar Falls Community Theatre ($50,000 across 2 grants), Waterloo Community Foundation ($50,000 across 2 grants).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Soo Greiman
- Lois Johnson
- Gary Nelson
- Thomas Paulsen
- Harold Strever
Staff:
- Shannon Hickman, Executive Director (as of May 2024)
Historical Leadership:
- Soo Greiman served as the foundation's first Executive Director from August 2000 until early 2020, when she transitioned to trustee role
- Casey Reints served as Executive Director from February 2020 until May 2024
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas R Paulsen | Finance Committee Chair | 1 | $10,000 |
| Gary Nelson | Trustee Chair | 1 | $10,000 |
| Harold B Strever Jr | Admin Committee Chair | 1 | $10,000 |
| Lois M Johnson | Secretary | 1 | $10,000 |
| Soo Greiman | Trustee | 1 | $10,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 3826 Cedar Heights Drive, Suite 1 Cedar Falls, IA 50613-6257
Phone: 319-226-3434 or 319-260-2151
Email: office@guernseyfoundation.com
Website: www.guernseyfoundation.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Max and Helen Guernsey fund?
The foundation's mission is to work in partnership with others to improve the vitality of the community, addressing issues important now and in the future. Primary funding areas include: • Education that builds character • Programs that enhance family life • Key social issues • Science programs that aim for community betterment • Health and life skills • Sports and fitness • Activities that recognize the value of people
How do I apply for a grant from Max and Helen Guernsey?
The foundation began funding and granting officially in October 1997. In 1998, the foundation awarded and disbursed 19 grants to organizations and charities. By 1999, the foundation continued to grow in number and diversity of grant disbursements, with 29 grants awarded. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $500–$50,000 • Recent grant activity shows 102 grants made in the most recent fiscal year • Recent grant examples include: • Waverly Public Library Foundation: $50,000 (Teen & L…
Where does Max and Helen Guernsey make grants?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama counties in Iowa. Grant-making also extends to California and Nebraska.
What size grants does Max and Helen Guernsey award?
In 2025, Max and Helen Guernsey awarded 125 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Max and Helen Guernsey's EIN?
Max and Helen Guernsey's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1460664. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Max and Helen Guernsey's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.