R J Mcelroy Trust
Historical FunderWaterloo, Iowa · EIN 42-6173496 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$2.1M
Organizations funded69
Typical grant$9,000
Total assets$52.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,110 and $20,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | MEGAN MCKENZIE |
|---|---|
| Address | 425 CEDAR ST, SUITE 312, WATERLOO IA 50701 |
| Phone | 3192879102 |
| Form and materials | GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE FILLED OUT ONLINE THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.MCELROYTRUST.ORG. APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE THE PROJECT NAME, PROJECT SUMMARY, START/END DATE, HOW THE GRANT ALIGNS WITH MCELROY'S STRATEGIC MISSION, TYPE OF FUNDING NEEDED, TOTAL COST OF PROJECT, AND HOW MUCH FUNDING IS REQUESTED. |
| Deadlines | THE TRUST CONSIDERS GRANT PROPOSALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. |
| Restrictions | EDUCATION PROJECTS - YOUTH 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
4% of grants went outside Iowa.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo Leisure Services | Waterloo, IA | Program/Operating support | $615,000 |
| Waterloo Community Schools | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $216,900 |
| Hawkeye Comm College Foundation | Waterloo, IA | Scholarships/Program support | $160,500 |
| Uni Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | Program support | $140,000 |
| Youth Art Team | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $75,000 |
| YWCA | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $50,500 |
| Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $50,000 |
| Leader Valley | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $50,000 |
| Nashua Plainfield School District | Nashua, IA | Program support | $50,000 |
| Riyo | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $50,000 |
| Keystone Area Education Agency | Elkader, IA | Program support | $32,800 |
| Grout Museum District | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $30,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Eastern Ia | Cedar Rapids, IA | Program support | $25,000 |
| Little Knights Learning Center | Dysart, IA | Operating support | $25,000 |
| One Cedar Valley | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $25,000 |
| Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $21,500 |
| Waterloo Community Playhouse | Waterloo, IA | Operating support | $20,750 |
| Central Rivers Aea Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | Teaching grants | $20,000 |
| City of Wellsburg | Wellsburg, IA | Program support | $20,000 |
| Iowa Legal Aid | Waterloo, IA | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Vision to Learn | Los Angeles, CA | Medical support | $20,000 |
| Northeast Iowa Food Bank | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $17,000 |
| Cedar Valley Angels | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Embracing Explorations | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Ia | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Northeast Ia Comm College Found | Peosta, IA | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Pied Piper Preschool of Traer | Traer, IA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Successlink | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Waterloo Community Foundation | Waterloo, IA | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Wcf Symphony | Cedar Falls, IA | Educational support | $15,000 |
| Ijag | Des Moines, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Job Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| National Inventors Hall of Fame | Alexandria, VA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Plentiful Pantry | Mt Vernon, IA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Waterloo Center for the Arts | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $9,000 |
| Cedar Valley Preschool & Childcare | Cedar Falls, IA | Operating support | $7,000 |
| Cedar Falls High School | Cedar Falls, IA | Program support | $6,000 |
| Love Inc | Cedar Falls, IA | Program support | $6,000 |
| City of Delaware | Delaware, IA | Park enhancements | $5,000 |
| Friends of the Family | Waterloo, IA | Operating support | $5,000 |
| Northeast Ia Council - Boy Scouts | Dubuque, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| People's Community Health Clinic | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $5,000 |
| Hopkinton Public Library | Hopkinton, IA | Program support | $3,000 |
| Elgin Historical Society | Elgin, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Kidquest Preschool & Daycare | Aplington, IA | Operating support | $2,500 |
| Waverly Shell Rock United Way | Waverly, IA | Program support | $2,500 |
| Junior League of Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | Operating support | $2,000 |
| Mcgregor-Marquette Center for Arts | Mcgregor, IA | Program support | $2,000 |
| Unite Academy | Waterloo, IA | Operating support | $2,000 |
| Experience Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $1,500 |
| St John's Elementary School | Independence, IA | Program support | $1,200 |
| Lincoln Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | Program support | $1,110 |
| Cedar Valley Catholic Schools | Waterloo, IA | Program support | $1,000 |
| Alrich Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
| Cedar Falls High School | Cedar Falls, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
| Central Middle School | Waterloo, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
| Irving Elementary School | Waterloo, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
| Holmes Junior High School | Cedar Falls, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
| Hudson Elementary | Hudson, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
| Immaculate Conception School | Charles City, IA | Gold star award | $1,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 69 grants to organizations.
The return also lists 24 grants to individuals ($90,250). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,067,110 | 93 |
| 2023 | $2,568,931 | 117 |
| 2022 | $2,223,400 | 1 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 21, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202542949349100704
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 42-6173496
- 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.