W D Ley Foundation
Historical FunderBuffalo Center, Iowa · EIN 42-1661135 · Private foundation
Half of its grants to organizations were between $500 and $1,000.
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | JESSA WIRTH |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 N MAIN ST PO BOX 507, BUFFALO CENTER IA 50424 |
| Phone | 6415622696 |
| Form and materials | FOUNDATION HAS A GRANT APPLICATION FORM. CONTACT FOUNDATION AT ABOVE ADDRESS TO OBTAIN COPY. |
| Deadlines | N/A |
| Restrictions | GEOGRAPHIC AREA LIMITATION: COMMUNITIES OF BUFFALO CENTER, LAKOTA, LAKE MILLS AND BRITT, IOWA, AS WELL AS, BRICELYN, MINNESOTA. |
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
12% of grants went outside Iowa.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lakota Fire Deptambulance | Lakota, IA | Volunteer fire/ ambulance dept impr | $2,000 |
| City of Lake Mills | Lake Mills, IA | Police dept - body cameras | $1,500 |
| Bricelyn American Legion Auxillary | Bricelyn, MN | Scholarships/Etc | $1,500 |
| Britt Fire Dept | Britt, IA | Volunteer fire dept | $1,000 |
| Britt Hobo Museum | Britt, IA | Comm betterment | $1,000 |
| City of Lakota Historical Museum | Lakota, IA | Building preservation | $1,000 |
| City of Bricelyn | Bricelyn, MN | Comm betterment | $1,000 |
| Bison Senior Center | Buffalo Center, IA | Gen'l support for senoir citizen center | $1,000 |
| Little Bison Daycare Center | Buffalo Center, IA | Genl support | $1,000 |
| North Iowa Ministerial Assn | Buffalo Center, IA | Gen'l support | $1,000 |
| Walters Fire Dept | Walters, MN | Volunteer fire dept | $1,000 |
| City of Lakota | Lakota, IA | Library supp/comm betterment | $600 |
| City of Lake Mills | Lake Mills, IA | City preschool/day care program | $600 |
| Buffalo Center Fire Dept Winnebago | Buffalo Center, IA | Fire dept equip | $500 |
| City of Buffalo Center | Buffalo Center, IA | Local library support | $500 |
| City of Lakota | Lakota, IA | Community event | $500 |
| City of Buffalo Center Historical S | Buffalo Center, IA | Historical preservation | $500 |
| Hancock Co Historical Society | Britt, IA | Gen'l support | $500 |
| St Paul Lutheran Church | Lakota, IA | Genl support | $500 |
| Asbury United Methodist Chuch | Lake Mills, IA | Gen'l support | $500 |
| Lakotaledyard American Legion Auxil | Lakota, IA | Scholarships/Upkeep/Etc | $400 |
| Lake Mills Public Library | Lake Mills, IA | Local library support | $400 |
| Britt American Legion VFW | Britt, IA | Comm betterment | $400 |
| Hancock Co Agricultural Society | Britt, IA | Genl support | $250 |
The return also lists 8 grants to individuals ($5,850). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,000 | 32 |
| 2024 | $25,000 | 26 |
| 2023 | $25,000 | 26 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611349349101016
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 42-1661135
- Profile updated Nov 5, 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.