James B & Melita a Mcdonough Foundation
Historical FunderDubuque, Iowa · EIN 48-1296843 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$436K
Organizations funded60
Typical grant$2,500
Total assets$9.3M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,000 and $5,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | MCDONOUGH FOUNDATION |
|---|---|
| Address | PO BOX 296, DUBUQUE IA 520040296 |
| Phone | 5635870533 |
| Form and materials | ONLINE APPLICATION AT WWW.MCDONOUGHCHARITABLEFOUNDATION.ORG/APPLY |
| Deadlines | APRIL 1 THROUGH MAY 31 EACH YEAR |
| Restrictions | UNWRITTEN BUT GENERALLY LIMITED TO CHARITIES IN NORTHEAST IOWA |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
0% of grants went outside Iowa.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Greater Dub | Dubuque, IA | Training and evidence based activities for students | $15,000 |
| Dubuque Community Ymcaywca | Dubuque, IA | Crisis services staff pay funding | $15,000 |
| Riverview Center | Dubuque, IA | Sexual assault crisis intervention & prevention services project | $15,000 |
| The Power of Prayer Inc | Asbury, IA | Increase community awareness in power of prayer chapel | $15,000 |
| Community Solutions of Eastern Ia | Dubuque, IA | Funding for housing helpline | $15,000 |
| Dubuque Regional Humane Society | Dubuque, IA | General support | $10,000 |
| Clarke University | Dubuque, IA | General support | $10,000 |
| Red Basket Project | Dubuque, IA | Cots of leasing operational space | $9,000 |
| Foundation of Dubuque Public School | Dubuque, IA | 1/2 costs of outdoor adventure program | $6,500 |
| Dubuque Dream Center | Dubuque, IA | Student sponsorships for after school and summer programs | $5,000 |
| Four Mounds Foundation | Dubuque, IA | Support heart program | $5,000 |
| Grand Opera House | Dubuque, IA | New balcony handrails | $5,000 |
| Inspiration Stables Inc | LA Motte, IA | Indoor riding arena | $5,000 |
| Crescent Community Health Center | Dubuque, IA | Transportation for patients | $5,000 |
| Dubuque Museum of Art | Dubuque, IA | Construction and operations for first 6 months in. new space | $5,000 |
| Friends of Bellevue State Park | Bellevue, IA | Funding renovations of bathroom, kitchen and ballroom | $5,000 |
| Oelwein Elementary PTO | Oelwein, IA | Provide rock climbing walls for both elementary buildings | $4,000 |
| City of Sherrill | Sherrill, IA | Handicap accessible pavilion and bathroom | $3,500 |
| Dubuque Food Pantry | Dubuque, IA | Purchase eggs & milk | $3,000 |
| Jones County Family Council | Anamosa, IA | Purchase of various supplies and resource directory | $3,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Dub | Dubuque, IA | 2025 bernard playground and recreation project | $3,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Dub | Dubuque, IA | Dyersville campaign for grade level reading | $3,000 |
| Carnegie Stout Public Library Found | Dubuque, IA | Smartstitch S-1501 purchases | $2,500 |
| Dubuque County Historical Society | Dubuque, IA | Low or no cost admissions for those below federal poverty level | $2,500 |
| Dubuque Visiting Nurse Association | Dubuque, IA | Expand programs for 2 nurses and 1 social worker to provide 354 hours for birthing suites | $2,500 |
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Ia Western I | Epworth, IA | Program developmen`t, supplies & volunteer training | $2,500 |
| Scouting America - Ne Iowa Council | Dubuque, IA | Design, printing and flyer distribution to promote recruitment events | $2,500 |
| St Patrick's School - Anamosa | Anamosa, IA | New intercom system | $2,500 |
| Community Foundation of Jackson Co | Dubuque, IA | Hire coordinator to work with 4 schools in jackson co | $2,500 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Dub | Dubuque, IA | Provide monthly books to children in clayton co school district | $2,500 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Dub | Dubuque, IA | Jones co reading program | $2,500 |
| Dolly Parton Imagination Library | Maquoketa, IA | Book each month for registered preschoolers in jackson co | $2,500 |
| Dubuque Arts Council | Dubuque, IA | Support costs of compensating artists in residence | $2,500 |
| Dubuque County Library | Epworth, IA | Handicap accessible doors for 2 entrances | $2,500 |
| LA Salle Catholic School | Holy Cross, IA | Provide updated resources for math and reading | $2,500 |
| Rise Ltd | Elkader, IA | Remodel oelwein day habitation center | $2,500 |
| Bellevue Community School District | Bellevue, IA | Development of local skills USA program | $2,000 |
| Bell Tower Productions | Dubuque, IA | Mac laptop for free summer music program | $2,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dubu | Dubuque, IA | Eliminate financial barriers for 2 children to participate at no cost for year | $2,000 |
| Community Ambulance Svc of Preston | Preston, IA | Purchase new ambulance | $2,000 |
| City of Worthington | Worthington, IA | Purchase of aed for veterans memorial hall | $2,000 |
| Oelwein Rotary Club | Oelwein, IA | Books for 3 and 4 year old children | $2,000 |
| Iowa State University Extension | Dubuque, IA | Nutrition education for preschoolers | $2,000 |
| Presentation Lantern Center | Dubuque, IA | English tutoring and mentoring for immigrants studying for citizenship test | $2,000 |
| Faith Temple United Pentecostal Chu | Dubuque, IA | Help pay fee to food bank for monthly food distributions | $2,000 |
| Ohnward Fine Arts Center | Maquoketa, IA | Cost of production of little mermaid jr | $2,000 |
| Project Rooted | Dubuque, IA | Fund books for 1st grade classroom related to food | $2,000 |
| Rising Star Theatre Company | Dubuque, IA | Education outreach program | $2,000 |
| Dubuque Dragon Boat Association | Dubuque, IA | Dragon boating for paddlers with special needs | $1,500 |
| Dubuque Rescue Mission | Dubuque, IA | Purchase of frigidaire freezer | $1,500 |
| Dbq Area Labor Management Council | Dubuque, IA | Provide tours of local businesses to spanish & marshallese speaking high school students | $1,000 |
| Dbq Co Fairgrounds Event Center | Dubuque, IA | Funds for weather resistant benches | $1,000 |
| Dubuque Symphony Orchestra | Dubuque, IA | Pay doctorate level, classically trained musicians | $1,000 |
| Elgin Emergency Medical Services | Elgin, IA | Purchase evac-u-splint | $1,000 |
| Lord of Life Lutheran Church | Dubuque, IA | Purchase of grocery and personal hygiene items | $1,000 |
| Dubuque County Fine Arts Society | Dubuque, IA | Support creation station | $1,000 |
| Lutheran Services in Iowa | Dubuque, IA | Expand training for therapists | $1,000 |
| Stonehill Benevolent Foundation | Dubuque, IA | Purchase tovertafel table for memory care unit | $1,000 |
| Ne Iowa Community College Foundatio | Peosta, IA | Career exploration event for 25 students | $1,000 |
| Dbq Rotary Club Foundation | Dubuque, IA | Funding various community projects | $1,000 |
The return also lists 30 grants to individuals ($199,000). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $436,000 | 90 |
| 2024 | $446,038 | 88 |
| 2023 | $411,253 | 75 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 19, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641399349100024
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 48-1296843
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.