The Melsa Foundation
The Melsa Foundation is a private foundation, based in Naperville, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 1 grant totaling $58K. Net investment income was $331.
The Melsa Foundation at a glance
In short: The Melsa Foundation gave $58K across 1 grant in 2021 (avg $58K), mostly in Iowa. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $58,481
- -44.8% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $58,481
- -44.8% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $58,481
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who The Melsa Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Iowa State University Foundation ($58K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2021 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $58K (2021) to $106K (2020). In 2021 it made 1 grant totaling $58K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University Foundation Ames, IA | General Operations | $58,481 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $6,818 | $61,349 | $58,481 | 1 | $331 | $772 |
| 2020 | $54,531 | $26,212 | $109,710 | $106,000 | 1 | $23,716 | $5,620 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Melsa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $772 for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Melsa Foundation is led by James L Melsa, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
James L Melsa
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine S Melsa
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 The Melsa Foundation
How much does The Melsa Foundation give each year?
The Melsa Foundation gave $58K across 1 grant in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $106K across 1 grant.
Where does The Melsa Foundation operate?
The Melsa Foundation has awarded grants in Iowa.
How much is The Melsa Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, The Melsa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $772 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Melsa Foundation's EIN?
The Melsa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1464665. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 21, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work The Melsa Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Melsa Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders with grantees in common
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Trust under the last will and testament of cecelia w. Dykstra distributes income to Iowa state university to support the Iowa state dykstra fund which makes loans to the students of the college of veterinary medicine of Iowa state univerisity who are pursuing a degree as a doctor of veterinary medicine
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