The Mary K and Daniel M Kelly Family Foundation concentrates philanthropic support on Des Moines civic and cultural life, providing large, unrestricted operating grants to municipal amenities and local nonprofit institutions. Its giving strongly favors parks, public recreation, and the arts, with multi-year and repeat commitments to a small set of local organizations. The foundation appears driven by place-based investments that sustain everyday community infrastructure rather than project-specific initiatives.
Concentrated, high-dollar underwriting: a small number of large, repeat grants focused on a few local beneficiaries and predominantly unrestricted/general operating support.
Notable grantees: Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Bright Foundation, Des Moines Art Center
A recurring pattern stands out in Mary K and Daniel M Kelly Family Foundation grantmaking: major general-operations support for Des Moines public parks and recreation, including a $348,600 grant in 2025 to Des Moines Parks and Recreation. That emphasis on unrestricted support appears alongside sizable gifts to civic and cultural institutions that anchor local quality of life. The foundation’s recent records show repeated backing for Des Moines Art Center, Iowa Public Radio, and Des Moines Metro Opera, all funded as general operations rather than for discrete projects. The foundation also uses its grants to sustain local service capacity. Recent awards include support for Greater Dm Habitat for Humanity, Lsi Refuge, Catholic Charities, Childserve, and United Way of Central Iowa. Several of these organizations appear across multiple years, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. Across the file, the pattern is place-based and institution-focused. Most grants are to Iowa recipients, especially in Des Moines, with some support extending to Montana institutions as well. The grant sizes range from modest operating gifts to six-figure commitments, but the throughline is consistent: flexible funding for community organizations that provide everyday civic, cultural, and social infrastructure.
Public recreation is one of the clearest focus areas. The foundation gave $348,600 in 2025 to Des Moines Parks and Recreation for general operations, following earlier support of $116,200 in 2024 and $101,000 in 2023. That multiyear pattern shows sustained operating support for local park and recreation capacity. Arts and culture is another core area. It awarded $172,550 in 2023 and $73,900 in 2024 to Des Moines Art Center, then continued with $25,000 in 2025 for general operations. It also supported Des Moines Metro Opera with $24,900 in 2025, after $23,800 in 2024 and $19,850 in 2023. The foundation also funds community services and housing-related work. Recent grants include $30,000 to Greater Dm Habitat for Humanity, $26,000 and $25,000 to Lsi Refuge, and $25,000 in 2025 to Catholic Charities, all for general operations.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,000, median of $2,000, and p75 of $6,750. The recent record also includes much larger operating grants, showing that the foundation makes both routine and significant institutional awards. Recipients often reappear across multiple years: Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Des Moines Art Center, Bright Foundation, Montana Historical Society, Des Moines Metro Opera, United Way of Central Iowa, Lsi Refuge, and Catholic Charities all receive repeated support. The foundation is structured as a family foundation, and the grants shown are for general operations rather than program-specific projects.
$656K
$12.6M
$1.7M
$749K
Most grants fall between $1K and $7K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$7K
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Giving is centered in Iowa, with 61% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and Iowa listed as the top state by grant count. Des Moines is the main city in the recent record, with grants to Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Des Moines Art Center, Iowa Public Radio, Greater Dm Habitat for Humanity, and United Way of Central Iowa. Other Iowa recipients include Urbandale and Indianola. Outside Iowa, the foundation also grants to Montana organizations, including Helena and Miles City.
The recent record shows support for parks and public recreation, arts and culture, and community services. Examples include Des Moines Parks and Recreation for general operations, Des Moines Art Center and Des Moines Metro Opera in the arts, and organizations such as Lsi Refuge, Catholic Charities, and Greater Dm Habitat for Humanity in community services and housing-related work.
Yes. The grants listed are overwhelmingly labeled general operations. That includes major awards such as $348,600 to Des Moines Parks and Recreation, $172,550 to Des Moines Art Center, and repeated operating support for Des Moines Metro Opera, United Way of Central Iowa, and Bright Foundation.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is small to mid-sized: p25 is $1,000, median is $2,000, and p75 is $6,750. The recent file also includes larger operating grants, so the distribution has a long upper tail.
The giving is strongly Iowa-centered. Iowa is the top state by grant count, and 61% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Most recent recipients are in Des Moines, with additional Iowa grants in Urbandale and Indianola, plus a smaller number in Montana.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DES MOINES PARKS AND RECREATION | DES MOINES, IA | $116,200 | 2026 | PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $102,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BRIGHT FOUNDATION | URBANDALE, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $27,300 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES METRO OPERA | INDIANOLA, IA | $25,350 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DES MOINES | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PORTSMOUTH ABBEY | WORCESTER, MA | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ASSUMPTION ABBEY | RICHARDTON, ND | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RANCHO MIRAGE LIBRARY | RANCHO MIRAGE, CA | $14,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | DES MOINES, IA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES PUBLIC LIBRARY | DES MOINES, IA | $7,050 | 2026 | AUTHORS VISITING IN DES MOINES |
| DES MOINES REFUGEE SUPPORT | DES MOINES, IA | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| URBAN DREAMS | DES MOINES, IA | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS | WORCESTER, MA | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA PUBLIC RADIO | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF IOWA PBS | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MAINFRAME STUDIOS | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SUMMER INSTITUTE - MARTHA'S VINEYARD | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $2,800 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DRAKE UNIVERSITY HARKIN INSTITUTE | DES MOINES, IA | $2,750 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ABOVE & BEYOND CANCER | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MID IOWA HEALTH FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MILES COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MILES CITY, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DES MOINES AREA RELIGIOUS COUNCIL | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BY DEGREES | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BLUE RIBBON FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ELLIPSIS | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | ST PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CLIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES | CLIVE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDSERVE | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EASTERSEALS IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST AMBROSE CATHEDRAL | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HOPE MINISTRIES CAMPAIGN | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST CATHERINE UNIVERSITY | ST PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SAINT AGNES SCHOOL | SAINT PAUL, MN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITYPOINT FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MONTANA PUBLIC RADIO | MISSOULA, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LIFESERVE BLOOD CENTER | JOHNSTON, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST AUGUSTIN PARISH | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PSUSD FOUNDATION - ARTS EDUCATION | PALM SPRINGS, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MISSION CANCER FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ANAWIM HOUSING | DES MOINES, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| 826LA | VENICE, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IAIA FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
DES MOINES PARKS AND RECREATION
$116,200PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$102,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
BRIGHT FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DES MOINES ART CENTER
$27,300GENERAL OPERATIONS
DES MOINES METRO OPERA
$25,350GENERAL OPERATIONS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DES MOINES
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
PORTSMOUTH ABBEY
$18,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ASSUMPTION ABBEY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
RANCHO MIRAGE LIBRARY
$14,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
DES MOINES PUBLIC LIBRARY
$7,050AUTHORS VISITING IN DES MOINES
DES MOINES REFUGEE SUPPORT
$6,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF IOWA PBS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SUMMER INSTITUTE - MARTHA'S VINEYARD
$2,800GENERAL OPERATIONS
DRAKE UNIVERSITY HARKIN INSTITUTE
$2,750GENERAL OPERATIONS
MID IOWA HEALTH FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MILES COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
BLUE RIBBON FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHILDSERVE
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
EASTERSEALS IOWA
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST AMBROSE CATHEDRAL
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
HOPE MINISTRIES CAMPAIGN
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST CATHERINE UNIVERSITY
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
SAINT AGNES SCHOOL
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNITYPOINT FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MONTANA PUBLIC RADIO
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
LIFESERVE BLOOD CENTER
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST AUGUSTIN PARISH
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
PSUSD FOUNDATION - ARTS EDUCATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MISSION CANCER FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF IOWA
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
826LA
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
IAIA FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS