The Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation
Invitation OnlyAnkeny, Iowa · EIN 42-1298057 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$726K
Organizations funded72
Typical grant$5,000
Total assets$27.7M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,500 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
15% of grants went outside Iowa.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Ridge Church | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $75,000 |
| Des Moines Children Museum | West Des Moines, IA | General fund | $50,000 |
| Iowa Health Foundation | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $50,000 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | Alzheimer's disease research | $50,000 |
| Animal Rescue League of Iowa Inc | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $35,000 |
| Alzheimers Assocation | Chicago, IL | General fund | $26,500 |
| Blank Children's Hospital | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $25,000 |
| On With Life | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $25,000 |
| The Easter Seal Society Foundation | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $25,000 |
| Little White Schoolhouse Foundation | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $15,300 |
| Childserve Foundation Inc | Johnston, IA | General fund | $15,000 |
| Dental Connections | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $15,000 |
| Garden Gate Ranch | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $15,000 |
| The World Food Prize Foundation | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $12,500 |
| North Polk Cummunity School Foundation | Polk City, IA | General fund | $12,000 |
| Wings of Hope International | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $11,000 |
| Ankeny Service Center | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Blank Park Zoo Foundation Inc | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Children and Family Urban Movement | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Community Champions | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Dorothy's House | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Food Bank of Iowa | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Impact Community Action | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| National Alliance of Mental Illness - Iowa Chapter | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| North High School | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse | Boone, NC | General fund | $10,000 |
| Shriner's Hospital for Children | Tampa, FL | General fund | $10,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, TN | General fund | $10,000 |
| The Ankeny Klothing Exchange | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $10,000 |
| The Salvation Army | Alexandria, VA | General fund | $10,000 |
| Scottsdale Bible Church | Scottsdale, AZ | General fund | $8,000 |
| American Heart Association - Iowa Chapter | Johnston, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Ballet Theatre of Des Moines | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | Charlotte, NC | General fund | $5,000 |
| Des Moines Performing Arts | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Furry Friends Refuge | West Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Hope Ministeries | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Oakridge Neighborhood Services | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Salem United Church of Christ | Alleman, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Smile Train | Washington, DC | General fund | $5,000 |
| Special Olympics Iowa | Grimes, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation | Staten Island, NY | General fund | $5,000 |
| Wesleylife Foundation (Meals on Wheels) | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Willkie House Inc | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project | Topeka, KS | General fund | $5,000 |
| Granny Basketball League Inc | Mcgregor, IA | General fund | $3,000 |
| Ankeny Art Center | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Ankeny Community Chorus | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Families Forward | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Iowa Barn Foundation | Nevada, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| John Wayne Birthplace Society Ltd | Winterset, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Joppa | Des Moines, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Newton Christian School | Newton, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Society of St Vincent de Paul | Windsor Heights, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Strands of Strenth | West Des Moines, IA | General fund | $2,500 |
| Bras for a Cause - Iowa Chapter | Clive, IA | General fund | $1,500 |
| American Parkinson Disease Assoc - Iowa Chapter | Urbandale, IA | General fund | $1,000 |
| Ankeny After Prom Inc | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $1,000 |
| Ankeny Area Historical Society | Ankeny, IA | General fund | $1,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 72 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $725,800 | 72 |
| 2024 | $291,700 | 44 |
| 2023 | $178,000 | 40 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 13, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621339349104762
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 42-1298057
- 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.