Max And Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,186,400 (2025)
• Total Assets: $48,163,592 (2024)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $35,000 (typical); $100 - $50,000 (full range)
• Number of Grants: 125 awards (2025); 136 awards (2024)
• Application Deadlines: March 15 and August 15 (annually)
• Geographic Focus: Eight Iowa counties (Black Hawk, Bremer, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama)
• Application Frequency: Once per year

Contact Details

Address: 3826 Cedar Heights Drive, Suite 1, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Mailing Address: PO Box 1172, Waterloo, IA 50704
Phone: 319-226-3434
Email: office@guernseyfoundation.com
Website: www.guernseyfoundation.com

Pre-Application Guidance: First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the office to receive guidance on application submission before applying.

Overview

The Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation was established on July 9, 1996, as a private foundation by Max and Helen Guernsey, longtime residents of the Waterloo community. When Max died in 2005, he left a significant legacy through the foundation. Helen continued to lead the foundation into her 90s. With assets of approximately $48.2 million and annual giving of $2.2 million, the foundation makes 125-136 grants annually to nonprofit organizations across eight contiguous Iowa counties. The foundation's mission is "to work in partnership with others to improve the vitality of the community, addressing issues important now and in the future." The foundation focuses on education that builds character, programs that enhance family life, key social issues, science programs for community betterment, health and life skills, sports, fitness, and activities that recognize the value of people. Tax-exempt since February 1997, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation and has distributed grants ranging from as little as $100 to as much as $50,000, with typical awards between $1,000 and $35,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single competitive grant program with two annual deadlines. Applications are submitted through an online grants system.

• General Operating & Program Grants: $1,000 - $35,000 (typical range)
  • Applications accepted twice yearly (March 15 and August 15 deadlines)
  • Organizations may apply once per year
  • Grants exceeding $35,000 require pre-approval discussion with the Executive Director
  • Online application system for all submissions

Priority Areas

The Guernsey Charitable Foundation focuses its grant-making in four broad categories:

1. Education: Programs that build character and support educational development
2. Social Issues: Addressing key community challenges and social needs
3. Family Life & Community Betterment: Programs enhancing family life and community vitality, including science programs
4. Health, Recreation, & Fitness: Health and life skills development, sports and fitness activities

Special Note: The foundation gives higher priority to grants which fund programs rather than capital projects.

Geographic Preference: Strong preference for applicants from eight contiguous Iowa counties: Black Hawk, Bremer, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes the following from funding consideration:

• Discriminatory Organizations: Organizations that limit membership or services based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or religion
• Non-Local National Organizations: National organizations and their affiliates whose primary services are not concentrated in the foundation's eight-county region
• Veterans, Labor, and Political Organizations: Veteran, labor, and political organizations or campaigns
• Individuals: Individual grants or scholarships
• Endowments: Endowment funds of any kind
• Events: Conferences, seminars, trips, or similar events
• Advertising: Advertising for benefit or courtesy purposes

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Soo Greiman (Trustee; Former Executive Director, 2000-2020)
• Lois Johnson (Trustee)
• Gary Nelson (Trustee; Original founding board member, 1996)
• Thomas R. Paulsen (Trustee and Finance Committee Chair; Original founding board member, 1996)
• Harold B. Strever (Trustee and Admin; Original founding board member, 1996)

Executive Leadership

• Shannon Hickman, Executive Director (current)
• Casey Reints, Former Executive Director (February 2020 - approximately 2023/2024)

Founding History

The foundation was established in 1996 with six initial directors: Max Guernsey, Helen Guernsey, Gary Nelson, Thomas Paulsen, Harold Strever, and Robert Wilson. Soo Greiman joined as the foundation's first Executive Director in August 2000, serving for nearly 20 years before transitioning to the board of trustees in early 2020.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation uses an online grants system for all submissions. The application process is as follows:

1. Pre-Application Contact (First-Time Applicants): First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the office at 319-226-3434 or office@guernseyfoundation.com to receive guidance on application submission.

2. Review Foundation Guidelines: Review the foundation's mission statement, policies, and grant limitations on their website (www.guernseyfoundation.com).

3. Submit Application Online: Complete the online application through the foundation's grants system, accessible via their website.

4. Required Documentation:

   • Written identification of purpose and amount requested
   • Financial statements
   • Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

5. Application Deadlines: Submit by March 15 or August 15 annually

6. Post-Award Requirements:

   • Upon receiving a grant award, submit a Documentation of Contribution form in the online grants system
   • A grant report is required 9-12 months after receipt of funds
   • If re-applying the following year, the grant report must be received before submitting another request

Important Notes:

• Organizations may apply once per year
• Those seeking funding beyond $35,000 must speak with the Executive Director to determine eligibility
• The foundation previously accepted applications by mail or hand-delivery but now requires online submissions

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented by the foundation. With two annual deadlines (March 15 and August 15), decisions are likely made on a semi-annual cycle, though exact timeframes from submission to notification are not specified.

Success Rates

Based on available data:

• 2025: 125 grants awarded
• 2024: 136 grants awarded
• 2023: 77 grants awarded

While the exact number of applications received is not publicly available, the foundation makes between 77-136 grants annually from its $2.2 million grantmaking budget. Specific success rate percentages are not published.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that receive grants may reapply the following year, provided they have submitted their required grant report prior to submitting a new request. Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly at 319-226-3434 for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for organizations serving the eight contiguous Iowa counties (Black Hawk, Bremer, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama). Organizations outside this region face significant barriers to funding.

2. Program Over Capital: The foundation explicitly states it gives "higher priority to grants which fund programs rather than capital projects." Applications should emphasize programmatic impact rather than infrastructure or building needs.

3. Community Vitality Impact: Successful projects align with the foundation's mission to "improve the vitality of the community, addressing issues important now and in the future." Demonstrate how your program enhances community strength and addresses current needs.

4. Character and Life Skills Development: Given the foundation's focus on "education that builds character" and "health and life skills," programs that develop these attributes in participants appear to resonate with the foundation's values.

5. Accessibility and Barrier Reduction: The Girl Scouts of Iowa grant example demonstrates the foundation's interest in programs that "eliminate common barriers" and bring services "directly to the girls" where there are "obstacles" to participation. Applications that address access barriers may be viewed favorably.

6. Concrete, Measurable Outcomes: The Girl Scouts grant funded a program that reached "at least 7,600 local girls in grades K-12" with specific activities including "respectful communication, developing healthy habits, and science experiments." Successful applications likely include specific participant numbers and clear program activities.

7. Pre-Application Contact: The foundation explicitly encourages first-time applicants to contact the office for guidance before applying. This suggests that relationship-building and understanding the foundation's current priorities through conversation may improve application success.

8. Family and Youth Focus: Many of the foundation's focus areas (education, character building, family life enhancement, life skills) suggest a preference for programs serving families and young people.

Example of Funded Project

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (Grant amount: $25,000+)

• Project: Girl Scout Leadership Program
• Impact: Benefited at least 7,600 local girls in grades K-12
• Approach: Staff-led program offered in schools or partner sites to eliminate barriers to participation
• Activities: Learning about respectful communication, developing healthy habits, and science experiments
• Key Success Factor: Brought programming directly to girls where there were obstacles to becoming a Girl Scout

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic Focus is Critical: Ensure your organization serves one or more of the eight priority counties (Black Hawk, Bremer, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Fayette, Grundy, and Tama). Organizations outside this region should not apply.

2. Emphasize Programs, Not Buildings: Frame your request around program delivery and participant impact rather than capital projects, infrastructure, or endowments.

3. Make Pre-Application Contact: First-time applicants should contact the Executive Director at 319-226-3434 before applying to understand current priorities and receive application guidance.

4. Apply Once Per Year Strategically: With only one application opportunity per year and two deadlines, choose your deadline carefully and ensure your application is complete and compelling.

5. Stay Within Typical Range: Target grant requests between $1,000-$35,000 for standard consideration. Requests above $35,000 require pre-approval conversation with the Executive Director.

6. Demonstrate Community Vitality: Clearly articulate how your program will "improve the vitality of the community" and address "issues important now and in the future" in the eight-county region.

7. Plan for Reporting: Be prepared to submit a grant report 9-12 months after receiving funds, and ensure this report is completed before reapplying for future funding.

References

1. Cause IQ - Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/max-and-helen-guernsey-charitable-foundation,421460664/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Max And Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation (EIN: 42-1460664). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/421460664 (Accessed February 25, 2026)

3. Instrumentl 990 Report - Guernsey Charitable Foundation. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/max-and-helen-guernsey-charitable-foundation (Accessed February 25, 2026)

4. The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, University of Iowa - Guernsey (Max & Helen) Charitable Foundation. https://inrc.law.uiowa.edu/grants/guernsey-max-helen-charitable-foundation (Accessed February 25, 2026)

5. Guernsey Foundation Official Website. www.guernseyfoundation.com (Accessed February 25, 2026)

6. FundsforNGOs - Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation Grant – Iowa. https://us.fundsforngos.org/type-of-grantgrant/max-and-helen-guernsey-charitable-foundation-grant-iowa/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

7. Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier - "Eight over 80: Charity co-founder still runs the show." https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/eight-over-charity-co-founder-still-runs-the-show/article_0e1a8b89-6178-54aa-b34c-2d72008f7151.html (Accessed February 25, 2026)

8. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois - "Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation Funds Girl Scout Leadership Program." https://www.girlscoutstoday.org/en/discover/our-council/our-stories/max-and-helen-guernsey-charitable-foundation-funds-girl-scout-le.html (Accessed February 25, 2026)

9. Rotary Club of Waterloo - "Rotarian of the Week - Casey Reints." https://www.waterloorotary.org/stories/rotarian-of-the-week-casey-reints (Accessed February 25, 2026)