Max and Helen Guernsey
Waterloo, Iowa · EIN 421460664 · Private foundation
Max and Helen Guernsey is a private foundation based in Waterloo, Iowa. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $1.6M in grants paid and $48.6M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 430 individual grants from this funder — $7.7M awarded across 2021–2025 — including its support for adult education. Below is its full funding profile.
What Max and Helen Guernsey funds
Max and Helen Guernsey's giving carries a documented focus on adult education, arts & culture, community improvement, domestic violence, early childhood education, and related causes.
Populations it has supported include black communities, children, families, foster youth, immigrants & refugees, low-income communities.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Max and Helen Guernsey, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley CAPITAL - BUILDING PROGRAM PLEDGE | Waterloo, IA | $100K | 2021 |
| Waverly Public Library Foundation TEEN & LIBRARY RENOVATIONS | Waverly, IA | $50K | 2024 |
| City of Waterloo YR 2 OF 3 YR PLEDGE - GATES/BYRNES PARK CONSTRUCTION | Waterloo, IA | $35K | 2024 |
| Cedar Falls Schools Foundation CAPITAL - COMMUNITY POOL | Cedar Falls, IA | $35K | 2021 |
| Cedar Valley Preschool & Childcare Center BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES PROGRAM | Cedar Falls, IA | $35K | 2025 |
| City of Tama CAPITAL FOR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL NETWORK | Tama, IA | $35K | 2025 |
| Successlink Inc TOGETHER 4 YOUTH PROGRAMMING | Waterloo, IA | $35K | 2025 |
| Transformations by Cedar Valley Angels DARE TO DREAM & LOVE BOX PROGRAMS | Waterloo, IA | $35K | 2025 |
| City of Waterloo CAPITAL - GATES & BYRNES PARKS CONSTRUCTION | Waterloo, IA | $35K | 2023 |
| Uni Foundation KALEIDOSCOPE, THEATRE 4 VERY YOUNG, TALENT SEARCH SERIES PGMS | Cedar Falls, IA | $33K | 2025 |
| The Center of Attention WOMEN'S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM | Waterloo, IA | $30K | 2023 |
| Vision to Learn VISION CARE - WATERLOO SCHOOLS STUDENTS | Dubuque, IA | $30K | 2023 |
| Successlink Inc OPERATING SUPPORT | Waterloo, IA | $30K | 2023 |
| Riverview Center Inc AWARENESS & CRISIS SERVICES | Dubuque, IA | $30K | 2023 |
| One City United ONE CITY MOMENTUM PROGRAM | Waterloo, IA | $30K | 2023 |
Max and Helen Guernsey giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Max and Helen Guernsey
Max and Helen Guernsey's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal. You can review the foundation directly at guernseyfoundation.com.
Is Max and Helen Guernsey the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what Max and Helen Guernsey has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about Max and Helen Guernsey
- Does Max and Helen Guernsey accept grant applications?
- Max and Helen Guernsey's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does Max and Helen Guernsey fund?
- Max and Helen Guernsey's grants focus on adult education. Recent recipients include Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley, Waverly Public Library Foundation, City of Waterloo. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Max and Helen Guernsey give in grants?
- Max and Helen Guernsey reported $1.6M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2021). Across all years in our data it has awarded $7.7M over 430 grants.
- Where is Max and Helen Guernsey located?
- Max and Helen Guernsey is based in Waterloo, Iowa. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 421460664.
- How can I find foundations similar to Max and Helen Guernsey?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Max and Helen Guernsey, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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