R J Mcelroy Trust logo

R J Mcelroy Trust

WATERLOO, IA EIN: 42-6173496 Website

The R J McElroy Trust is a private foundation based in Waterloo, Iowa, established in 1989. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity dedicated to supporting young people and building stronger communities for children and youth development.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$2.1M

-19.5% YoY

Grant Count

93

-20.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$22K

+1.2% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The trust's core mission is to move McElroy's vision forward, with a stated commitment to creating a better community for young people. The organization focuses on building a region where every child grows up healthy, safe, and thriving.

Primary funding areas include:

  • Youth development
  • Education
  • Human services
  • Philanthropy and volunteerism

Grantmaking

The trust operates a general purpose grant program with one active opportunity listed as the McElroy Trust Grant Program.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The trust primarily funds organizations in Iowa, with some activity in Oklahoma and Virginia.

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Cities

ALEXANDRIAAPLINGTONBOSTONCEDAR FALLSCEDAR RAPIDSCHARLES CITYCLARKSVILLEDECORAHDELAWAREDELHIDES MOINESDUBUQUEDUNKERTONDYSARTELGINELKADERFAIRBANKGRUNDY CENTERHOPKINTONHUDSON

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (2024):

  • Total assets: $39,687,281
  • Total revenues: $2,338,001
  • Total expenses: $2,741,413
  • Investment income and dividends: $837,831

Assets & Revenue (2023):

  • Total assets: $40,090,693
  • Total revenues: $1,686,954
  • Total expenses: $3,497,048
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$642K$1M$2M$3M1 grants20201 grants20211 grants2022117 grants202393 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

HAWKEYE COMM COLLEGE FOU…$161KUNI FOUNDATION$140KIOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FO…$50KLEADER VALLEY$50KNASHUA PLAINFIELD SCHOOL…$50KRIYO$50KKEYSTONE AREA EDUCATION …$33KGROUT MUSEUM DISTRICT$30KJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF EA…$25KLITTLE KNIGHTS LEARNING …$25K

Grant Size Distribution

103 grants across all recorded years

89<$50K8$50–100K3$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M3$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from R J Mcelroy Trust

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board of Trustees:

  • Mike Young
  • Kathy Flynn
  • Jim Waterbury
  • Sally Hollis
  • Robert Smith, Jr.
  • Raleigh Buckmaster

Staff:

  • Megan McKenzie, Executive Director
  • Katie Hinders, Program Officer
  • Holly Stanic, Gold Star Coordinator

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

MEGAN MCKENZIEEXECUTIVE DI$88KJAMES WATERBURYTRUSTEE$6KROBERT SMITH JRTRUSTEE$6KMICHAEL YOUNGTRUSTEE$6KSALLY HOLLISTRUSTEE$6KKATHY FLYNNTRUSTEE$6KRALEIGH BUCKMASTERTRUSTEE$3K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JAMES WATERBURYTRUSTEE0.1$6,000
ROBERT SMITH JRTRUSTEE0.1$6,000
MICHAEL YOUNGTRUSTEE0.1$6,000
SALLY HOLLISTRUSTEE0.1$6,000
MEGAN MCKENZIEEXECUTIVE DI40$87,500
RALEIGH BUCKMASTERTRUSTEE0.1$3,000
KATHY FLYNNTRUSTEE0.1$6,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The trust has been active in supporting educational initiatives, including a $250,000 grant to Allen College for simulation lab expansion. The organization has also announced award programs for teachers and continues to support youth-focused organizations across Iowa.

Allen College sim lab gets $250K boost from R.J. McElroy Trust | News | kwwl.com

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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