James B & Melita a Mcdonough
Dubuque, IA · EIN 48-1296843. Reported 160 grants totalling $1,022,071 to 115 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. James B & Melita a Mcdonough did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $3,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $2,500 and $7,500; the smallest was $500 and the largest $75,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Family Catholic Schools | Dubuque, IA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | $97,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Clarke University | Dubuque, IA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Community Ymcaywca | Dubuque, IA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Vna | Dubuque, IA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Iowa Legal Aid | Dubuque, IA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St Mark Youth Enrichment | Dubuque, IA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Power of Prayer Inc | Dubuque, IA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Rescue Mission | Dubuque, IA | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St John's Lutheran Church - Almost Home | Dubuque, IA | $20,600 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Camp Courageous of Iowa | Monticello, IA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Co Historical Society | Dubuque, IA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dubuque Humane Society | Dubuque, IA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Hillcrest Family Services | Dubuque, IA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Loras College | Dubuque, IA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Opening Doors | Dubuque, IA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Riverview Center | Dubuque, IA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools | Dubuque, IA | $19,576 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Bell Tower Productions | Dubuque, IA | $16,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Four Mounds Foundation | Dubuque, IA | $13,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Presentation Lantern Center | Dubuque, IA | $13,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Hills & Dales Child Development Center | Dubuque, IA | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Luther Manor Communities | Dubuque, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mercyone Mobil Unit | Dubuque, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ne Iowa Community College Foundation | Calmar, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sunnycrest Manor | Dubuque, IA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Grand Opera House | Dubuque, IA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| City of Epworth | Epworth, IA | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Red Basket Project | Dubuque, IA | $8,063 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Carnegie Stout Public Library Foundation | Dubuque, IA | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Cascade Elementary School | Cascade, IA | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Church of the Resurrection | Dubuque, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dubuque Dream Center | Dubuque, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Jackson County Fair Association | Maquoketa, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Miracle League of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Andrew Volunteer Fireman Inc | Andrew, IA | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Duride | Dubuque, IA | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Fountain of Youth Program | Dubuque, IA | $6,844 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Four Oaks Parents As Teachers | Dubuque, IA | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Camp Albrecht Acres of Midwest | Sherrill, IA | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Emmaus Bible College | Dubuque, IA | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St Patricks Catholic Church - Epworth | Epworth, IA | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| United Way of Dbq Area | Dubuque, IA | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dyersville Community Food Pantry | Dyersville, IA | $5,885 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Anamaosa Ministerial Association | Anamosa, IA | $5,250 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Austin Stong Foundation | Monticello, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Crescent Community Health Center | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Divine Word College | Epworth, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dubuquejackson Co Habitat for Humanity | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of the Fair | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Ia | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Iowa State University Extension & Outreach | Ames, IA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Northeast Iowa Council(scouts) | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| River Bend Food Bank | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rural Community Food Pantry | Dyersville, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Francis Xavier School | Dyersville, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Johns Episcopal Church | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Steeple Square | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Voices Productions | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mercyone Dubuque Foundation | Dubuque, IA | $4,800 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Heritage Works | Dubuque, IA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Junior Achievement | Dubuque, IA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Lutheran Services of Ia | Dubuque, IA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Tri-State Christian School Association | Galena, IL | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Western Dubuque High School | Epworth, IA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dyersville Elementary | Dyersville, IA | $3,613 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| St John the Baptist Church | Peosta, IA | $3,600 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Faith Temple United Pentecostal Church | Maquoketa, IA | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rising Star Theatre Company | Dubuque, IA | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| La Salle Catholic School | Holy Cross, IA | $3,290 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Anamosa Ministerial Assn | Anamosa, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Aquin Educational System | Cascade, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Beckman Catholic High School | Dyersville, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bellevue Big | Bellevue, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Brown's Hometown Victory Foundation | Dyersville, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Jones County Public Health | Anamosa, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Marquette Catholic Schools | Bellevue, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Presentation Lantern Center - Viats | Lamotte, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Southwestern High School | Hazel Green, WI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Stonehill Benevolent Foundatiom | Dubuque, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vision to Learn | Dubuque, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Seton Catholic Schools | Peosta, IA | $2,800 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Anamosa Festivals Inc | Anamosa, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Foundation Jackson Co | Maquoketa, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Creative Adventure Lab | Dubuque, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dubuque Co Historical Societynational River Museum | Dubuque, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Every Child Reads Jone Co | Dubuque, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Helping Services for Youth & Families | Decorah, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Jones Co Fammily Council | Anamosa, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maquoketa Area Family YMCA | Maquoketa, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Multicultural Family Center | Dubuque, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sacred Heart Catholic School | Dubuque, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Area Swimmin Hurricanes | Iowa City, IA | $2,400 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Anamosa Ministerial Association | Anamosa, IA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Andrew Little Leaders Child Care Center | Andrew, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bellevue Community School District | Bellevue, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Dubuque Food Pantry | Dubuque, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Project Rooted | Dubuque, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Stonehill Franciscal Services | Dubuque, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ohnward Fine Arts Center | Maquoketa, IA | $1,700 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Limestone Bluffs Resource Conservation & Development | Maquoketa, IA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| New Vienna Luxemburg Fire Dept | New Vienna, IA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Society of St Vincent De Paul | Dubuque, IA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| American Legion Post 656 | Dubuque, IA | $1,200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Finley Health Foundation | Dubuque, IA | $1,200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Convivium Urban Farmstead | Dubuque, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Area Labor Harvest | Dubuque, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dubuque Area Labor Maangement Council | Dubuque, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Miles Volunteer Fire Dept | Miles, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Peosta Elementary Parent Group | Peosta, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Preston Area Betterment Fund | Dubquue, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dubuque Dragon Boat Association | Dubuque, IA | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cascade Public Library | Cascade, IA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Seton Catholic School | Farley, IA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
42 of 115 (37%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 49%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
COLLECT & SHARE DATA, PUBLIC OUTREACH & WORK W/ OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS - Clarke University
DUBUQUE YOUTH & MAILY RESILLIENCE PROJECT - Hillcrest Family Services
HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM(PATH) - Dubuque Co Historical Society
RESTORTATION OF MATHIAS HAM HOUSE - St John's Lutheran Church - Almost Home
FAMILY SHELTER FOR HOMELESS MEN & CHILDREN - Iowa Legal Aid
LEGAL SERVICES TO WOMEN IN NEED
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 57 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | $568,529 | $5,000 |
| 2022 | 72 | $437,292 | $3,000 |
| 2023 | 3 | $6,500 | $2,500 |
| 2024 | 2 | $5,750 | $2,875 |
| 2025 | 2 | $4,000 | $2,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
99% of its giving went to organizations in Iowa. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $3,500. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Iowa.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from James B & Melita a Mcdonough's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: C/O First Community Trust Na Po Box, Dubuque, IA, 52004. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 48-1296843 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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