Ay Mcdonald Charitable Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a variety of causes, primarily focusing on education, human services, public affairs, youth services, and health. It aims to enhance community welfare through grants to educational institutions, cultural organizations, and human service providers. The foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to youth development and educational initiatives, reflecting its values of community support and empowerment. While it primarily serves recipients in Iowa, it also extends its support to organizations in neighboring states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A local Iowa nonprofit (especially in Dubuque or nearby) working in education, youth services, human services, or related community programs and seeking small-to-midsize grants or operational support.
Good Fit
- • Based in Iowa (preferably Dubuque-area) or serving Iowa communities.
- • Work focused on education, youth development, or human/social services.
- • Organizational size and ask consistent with many grants under $25K (median grants near $2.5K).
- • Referrals, introductions, or existing relationships with local civic leaders or past grantees.
- • Track record of local impact or partnerships with schools, United Way, or community institutions.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in the foundation's state: about 92% of dollars went to Iowa in the latest year, with only small, occasional out-of-state grants across a handful of states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 60 distinct recipients across multiple purpose areas (education, public affairs, human services, youth, health, cultural), with steady counts across the three observed years and a mix of repeat and new grantees.
New Applicants
Filings and the foundation record state grants are to preselected organizations (no open application), which suggests invitation-based giving; however, observed behavior shows substantial entry of new grantees (22 new recipients in 2024), so new entrants are possible but are likely to gain access through nomination, referral, or local relationships rather than an open public process.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
