Private foundation · EIN 42-1298057 · Ankeny, Iowa

Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 72 grants paid, $726K total, median $5,000. 85% of grants stayed in Iowa.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
72
$726K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in IA
85%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$4.3M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 72 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Prairie Ridge ChurchAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$75K
Des Moines Children MuseumWest Des Moines, IAGeneral fund$50K
Iowa Health FoundationDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$50K
Mayo ClinicRochester, MNAlzheimer's disease research$50K
Animal Rescue League of Iowa IncDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$35K
Alzheimers AssocationChicago, ILGeneral fund$27K
Blank Children's HospitalDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$25K
On With LifeAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$25K
The Easter Seal Society FoundationDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$25K
Little White Schoolhouse FoundationAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$15K
Childserve Foundation IncJohnston, IAGeneral fund$15K
Dental ConnectionsDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$15K
Garden Gate RanchDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$15K
The World Food Prize FoundationDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$13K
North Polk Cummunity School FoundationPolk City, IAGeneral fund$12K
Wings of Hope InternationalAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$11K
Ankeny Service CenterAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$10K
Blank Park Zoo Foundation IncDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
Children and Family Urban MovementDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
Community ChampionsAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$10K
Dorothy's HouseDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
Food Bank of IowaDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
Impact Community ActionDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
National Alliance of Mental Illness - Iowa ChapterDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
North High SchoolDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$10K
Samaritan's PurseBoone, NCGeneral fund$10K
Shriner's Hospital for ChildrenTampa, FLGeneral fund$10K
St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphis, TNGeneral fund$10K
The Ankeny Klothing ExchangeAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$10K
The Salvation ArmyAlexandria, VAGeneral fund$10K
Scottsdale Bible ChurchScottsdale, AZGeneral fund$8,000
American Heart Association - Iowa ChapterJohnston, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Ballet Theatre of Des MoinesDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Billy Graham Evangelistic AssociationCharlotte, NCGeneral fund$5,000
Des Moines Performing ArtsDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Furry Friends RefugeWest Des Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Hope MinisteriesDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Oakridge Neighborhood ServicesDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Salem United Church of ChristAlleman, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Smile TrainWashington, DCGeneral fund$5,000
Special Olympics IowaGrimes, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Tunnel to Towers FoundationStaten Island, NYGeneral fund$5,000
Wesleylife Foundation (meals on Wheels)Des Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Willkie House IncDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$5,000
Wounded Warrior ProjectTopeka, KSGeneral fund$5,000
Granny Basketball League IncMcGregor, IAGeneral fund$3,000
Ankeny Art CenterAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Ankeny Community ChorusAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Families ForwardDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Iowa Barn FoundationNevada, IAGeneral fund$2,500
John Wayne Birthplace Society LtdWinterset, IAGeneral fund$2,500
JoppaDes Moines, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Newton Christian SchoolNewton, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Society of St Vincent de PaulWindsor Heights, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Strands of StrenthWest Des Moines, IAGeneral fund$2,500
Bras for a Cause - Iowa ChapterClive, IAGeneral fund$1,500
American Parkinson Disease Assoc - Iowa ChapterUrbandale, IAGeneral fund$1,000
Ankeny After Prom IncAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$1,000
Ankeny Area Historical SocietyAnkeny, IAGeneral fund$1,000

By state: Iowa 61 · Minnesota 1 · Illinois 1 · North Carolina 2 · Florida 1 · Tennessee 1

About this foundation

Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Ankeny, Iowa, tax-exempt since 1988. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $726K across 72 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Denny and Candy Elwell Foundation give?

Iowa (61 grants), Minnesota (1 grants), Illinois (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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