R J Mcelroy Trust
Waterloo, IA · EIN 42-6173496. Reported 164 grants totalling $4,459,091 to 122 organizations across tax years 2023-2024. 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. R J Mcelroy Trust 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 $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,200 and $25,000; the smallest was $100 and the largest $615,000. 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. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo Leisure Services | Waterloo, IA | $828,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Uni Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | $420,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Waterloo Community Schools | Waterloo, IA | $236,850 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hawkeye Comm College Foundation | Waterloo, IA | $220,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Successlink | Waterloo, IA | $205,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Sunflower Child Development Center | Decorah, IA | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Youth Art Team | Waterloo, IA | $145,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| YWCA | Waterloo, IA | $100,700 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Club Cedar Valley | Waterloo, IA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation | Des Moines, IA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Leader Valley | Waterloo, IA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Waverly Childcare & Preschool | Waverly, IA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Waterloo Public Library | Waterloo, IA | $91,100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Waterloo Community Foundation | Waterloo, IA | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cedar Valley Preschool & Childcare | Cedar Falls, IA | $67,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Keystone Area Education Agency | Elkader, IA | $63,800 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grout Museum District | Waterloo, IA | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nashua Plainfield School District | Nashua, IA | $57,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Junior Achievement of Eastern Ia | Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Riyo | Waterloo, IA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Waverly Public Library | Waverly, IA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Embracing Explorations | Waterloo, IA | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley | Waterloo, IA | $42,350 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Waterloo Community Playhouse | Waterloo, IA | $41,350 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Christian Community Development | Waterloo, IA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sumner Daycare & Learning Center | Sumner, IA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wcf Symphony | Cedar Falls, IA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Ia | Waterloo, IA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Vision to Learn | Los Angeles, CA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Central Rivers Aea Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | $33,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cedar Valley Angels | Waterloo, IA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| College Hill Partnership | Cedar Falls, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| River Hills School | Cedar Falls, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Try Pie Bakery | Waterloo, IA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| First in Iowa | Boston, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ijag | Des Moines, IA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Little Knights Learning Center | Dysart, IA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New Hampton Parks & Recreation | New Hampton, IA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| One Cedar Valley | Waterloo, IA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Job Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Operation Threshold | Waterloo, IA | $22,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City of Wellsburg | Wellsburg, IA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Iowa Legal Aid | Waterloo, IA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| National Inventors Hall of Fame | Alexandria, VA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| People's Community Health Clinic | Waterloo, IA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Waterloo Youth City Council | Waterloo, IA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northeast Iowa Food Bank | Waterloo, IA | $17,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Comm in Schools of Mid-America | Lawrence, KS | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Family & Children's Council | Waterloo, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Iowa Dental Foundation | Des Moines, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northeast Ia Comm College Found | Peosta, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pied Piper Preschool of Traer | Traer, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Royal Legacy Christian Academy | Waterloo, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Salvation Army of Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wapsie Valley School District | Fairbank, IA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Love Inc | Cedar Falls, IA | $13,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cedar Heights Parents Teachers | Cedar Falls, IA | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Best Buddies in Iowa | Windsor Heights, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Butler County Conservation | Clarksville, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cedar Falls Community Foundation | Cedar Falls, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Janesville Public Library | Janesville, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lawler Public Library | Lawler, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Plantiful Pantry | Mt Vernon, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Plentiful Pantry | Mt Vernon, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Winnebago Council Boy Scouts | Waterloo, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Waterloo Center for the Arts | Waterloo, IA | $9,260 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cedar Falls High School | Cedar Falls, IA | $8,750 | 4 | 2 | 2024 |
| Independence Food Pantry | Independence, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Maquoketa Valley Alliance | Delhi, IA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Postville Pool Park & Rec Board | Postville, IA | $7,400 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of Mercyone Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Phelps Youth Pavilion | Waterloo, IA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective | Waterloo, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City of Delaware | Delaware, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Elkader | Elkader, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of the Family | Waterloo, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum | Decorah, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northeast Ia Council - Boy Scouts | Dubuque, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Timothy Childcare & Preschool | Hudson, IA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Four Oaks Family & Children's Svcs | Independence, IA | $4,171 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Experience Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mcgregor-Marquette Center for Arts | Mcgregor, IA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Seva Health Center for Well Being | Monona, IA | $3,250 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hopkinton Public Library | Hopkinton, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Elgin Historical Society | Elgin, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kidquest Preschool & Daycare | Aplington, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Peet Junior High | Cedar Falls, IA | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Waverly Shell Rock United Way | Waverly, IA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Wartburg Comm Symphony Association | Waverly, IA | $2,200 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cedar Valley Catholic Schools | Waterloo, IA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Central Middle School | Waterloo, IA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Irving Elementary School | Waterloo, IA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Junior League of Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Unite Academy | Waterloo, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lincoln Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | $1,610 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grundy Center Elementary | Grundy Center, IA | $1,400 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St John's Elementary School | Independence, IA | $1,200 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Alrich Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary School | Cedar Falls, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Columbus High School | Waterloo, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Dunkerton High School | Dunkerton, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Holmes Junior High School | Cedar Falls, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hoover Middle School | Waterloo, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hudson Elementary | Hudson, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hudson High School | Hudson, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Immaculate Conception School | Charles City, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lowell Preschool | Waterloo, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Orange Elementary School | Waterloo, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Peet Junior High School | Cedar Falls, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Waterloo Career Center | Waterloo, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Waterloo East High School | Waterloo, IA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Holmes Junior High | Cedar Falls, IA | $800 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Orchard Hill Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | $750 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Southdale Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | $700 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nonprofit Leadership Alliance | Kansas City, MO | $650 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Black Hawk County Conservation | Waterloo, IA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hawkeye Comm College | Waterloo, IA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| National Wrestling Hall of Fame | Stillwater, OK | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cedar Falls Educational Support Ctr | Cedar Falls, IA | $400 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | $400 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Dan Gable Museum | Waterloo, IA | $400 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hansen Elementary | Cedar Falls, IA | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
40 of 122 (33%) received money in more than one year over the 2 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 43%, across 1 year-to-year transition. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
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.
- Waterloo Leisure Services
PROGRAM/OPERATING SUPPORT - Hawkeye Comm College Foundation
SCHOLARSHIPS/PROGRAM SUPPORT
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 41 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 95 | $2,482,231 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 69 | $1,976,860 | $9,000 |
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
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 98% of this one's giving went to organizations in Iowa. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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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 the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- 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 R J Mcelroy Trust's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 114 E 4TH Street Ste 300, Waterloo, IA, 50703. 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 42-6173496 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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