The Fred Maytag Family Foundation makes a small number of large, strategic gifts focused on community infrastructure, conservation, and health services—with a strong geographic emphasis on Iowa and selected California conservation projects. Their grants fund capital campaigns and program support, and include creating a named charitable fund to channel ongoing local philanthropy. The foundation appears to favor high-impact, single-project investments rather than many small grants.
A $4,999,962 commitment to create the Fred Maytag Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines captures how the Fred Maytag Family Foundation gives: through large, strategic grants that build lasting community infrastructure. Its recent awards also point to a strong interest in capital projects and place-based institutions, from the Newton YMCA capital campaign to medical and conservation investments in Iowa and California. The foundation’s giving is national in scope, but the pattern is more selective than broad-based, with a small number of sizable grants anchored in recurring community needs. The foundation has supported health services, conservation land acquisition, memory care, and educational or civic institutions. Recent examples include a $987,311 grant to UnityPoint Health Foundation for the critical care unit social worker program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and a $1,332,707 grant to Save the Redwoods League for Sonoma Coast redwood forest acquisitions. These gifts suggest a funder that favors project-specific investments with durable outcomes, rather than short-term, transactional support. It also funds individuals, which broadens its profile beyond institutional philanthropy.
Community infrastructure is a clear theme in the Fred Maytag Family Foundation’s grantmaking. Beyond its charitable fund commitment, it gave $1,995,637 to Newton YMCA for a capital campaign project and $302,179 to Mercyone Newton Medical Center for an emergency room renovation capital campaign. Those gifts show a consistent willingness to back built-environment projects when the institution serves a local public need. Conservation is another major strand. The foundation awarded $1,332,707 to Save the Redwoods League for Sonoma Coast redwood forest acquisitions and $502,632 to the same organization for support of Russian River redwoods. In Iowa, it granted $735,808 to The Nature Conservancy in Iowa for the Iowa Programs and State Directors Innovation Fund. The foundation also supports health-related care settings, including $494,396 to Wesleylife for the Park Centre memory care campaign and $65,000 to VNA Health - Palliative Care & Hospice for general support.
Typical grant sizes cluster at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, a $40,000 median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the foundation also makes occasional multimillion-dollar commitments. The recent record shows both one-time capital grants and repeated support to some recipients: Save the Redwood League, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, The New Criterion, Newton Shooting Sports, and Free to Choose each appear in more than one grant year. It is a Regular Funder, not a DAF, and it makes program-related investments false. The foundation also funds individuals. Application procedures are not stated in the provided data.
$7.2M
$55.5M
$1.7M
$7.4M
Most grants fall between $25K and $60K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$60K
About 9% of grants go to recipients in IA.
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Very concentrated giving: five large grants totaling ~$10M, primarily one-time multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million-dollar gifts. Mix of establishing a donor-designated fund, major capital campaign support, and targeted program/state-level conservation investments; repeats geography (Iowa) and selects standout conservation projects in California.
Notable grantees: Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Newton YMCA, Save the Redwoods League, UnityPoint Health Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa
Grants go entirely to U.S. recipients, with the heaviest concentration in Florida by grant count. California and Iowa also appear frequently, and the recent list includes recipients in Des Moines, Newton, Johnston, Clive, Prairie City, and Waterloo, along with San Francisco, Stanford, Santa Barbara, Worcester, New York, Erie, and Gosport. The foundation’s HQ is in San Francisco, but only 8% of grants go to recipients in California, showing that its giving footprint extends well beyond its home state.
Its recent grants include capital campaigns, conservation land acquisition, health services support, memory care, general operating support, and scholarship or education-related work. Examples in the data include a charitable fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, a YMCA capital campaign, redwood forest acquisitions, and critical care social worker support at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Save the Redwood League, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, The New Criterion, Newton Shooting Sports, and Free to Choose. That pattern suggests some ongoing relationships alongside one-time project grants.
The distribution is centered on mid-five-figure awards: $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent file also includes much larger strategic grants, including a $4,999,962 charitable fund commitment and several grants above $1 million.
By grant count, Florida is the top recipient state. California receives 8% of grants, while many recent recipients are in Iowa cities such as Des Moines, Newton, Johnston, Clive, Prairie City, and Waterloo.
Yes. Conservation is one of the clearest themes in the recent grants. The foundation gave $1,332,707 to Save the Redwoods League for Sonoma Coast redwood forest acquisitions, $502,632 to the same organization for Russian River redwoods, and $735,808 to The Nature Conservancy in Iowa for its Iowa Programs and State Directors Innovation Fund.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTON YMCA | NEWTON, IA | $1,995,637 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECT |
| SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,332,707 | 2025 | SONOMA COAST REDWOOD FOREST ACQUISITIONS |
| WESLEYLIFE | JOHNSTON, IA | $494,396 | 2025 | PARK CENTRE MEMORY CARE CAMPAIGN |
| MERCYONE NEWTON MEDICAL CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $302,179 | 2025 | EMERGENCY ROOM RENOVATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL IOWA | CLIVE, IA | $301,137 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF CRAFT INC | GOSPORT, IN | $201,024 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FREE TO CHOOSE | ERIE, PA | $197,993 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIRECT RELIEF | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,108 | 2025 | HURRICANE MILTON RELIEF |
| THE LELAND STANFORD | STANFORD, CA | $148,458 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $135,714 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - MID-IOWA COUNCIL | COLUMBIA, MO | $100,205 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NEW CRITERION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEARVIEW RECOVERY | PRAIRIE CITY, IA | $84,618 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEWTON SHOOTING SPORTS | NEWTON, IA | $70,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VNA HEALTH - PALLIATIVE CARE & HOSPICE | WORCESTER, MA | $65,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOLARS | NEW YORK, NY | $65,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GROUT MUSEUM DISTRICT | WATERLOO, IA | $60,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN HISTORY | NEW YORK, NY | $55,175 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEARING HEALTH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | COLUMBIA, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - IOWA REGION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER | BOZEMAN, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL COLLEGE | PELLA, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM | JASPER, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES AND ALUMNI | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEWTON YMCA COMMUNITY CENTER | NEWTON, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROVIDENCE ST MEL SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $45,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESLEY RETIREMENT SERVICES | JOHNSTON, IA | $40,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BALLET THEATRE OF DES MOINES | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $40,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DARKSKY INTERNATIONAL | TUCSON, AZ | $35,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION | DES MOINES, IA | $35,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMANDA THE PANDA | WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IOWA LEGAL AID | DES MOINES, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOOVER PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | WEST BRANCH, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IOWA YOUTH CHORUS | DES MOINES, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOMENTUM WHEELS FOR HUMANITY | CHATSWORTH, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN & FAMILIES OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION INC AKA FIRE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA LAND & WATER TRUST | TUCSON, AZ | $27,130 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NEW ATLANTIS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIVING HISTORY FARMS FOUNDATION | URBANDALE, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUDSON INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NETWORK FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY - JASPER COUNTY | NEWTON, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
NEWTON YMCA
$1,995,637CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECT
SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE
$1,332,707SONOMA COAST REDWOOD FOREST ACQUISITIONS
WESLEYLIFE
$494,396PARK CENTRE MEMORY CARE CAMPAIGN
MERCYONE NEWTON MEDICAL CENTER
$302,179EMERGENCY ROOM RENOVATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL IOWA
$301,1372024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF CRAFT INC
$201,0242024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
FREE TO CHOOSE
$197,9932024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
DIRECT RELIEF
$150,108HURRICANE MILTON RELIEF
THE LELAND STANFORD
$148,4582024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
NATURE CONSERVANCY
$135,7142024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - MID-IOWA COUNCIL
$100,2052024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NEW CRITERION
$100,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEARVIEW RECOVERY
$84,6182024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
NEWTON SHOOTING SPORTS
$70,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
VNA HEALTH - PALLIATIVE CARE & HOSPICE
$65,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOLARS
$65,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
GROUT MUSEUM DISTRICT
$60,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN HISTORY
$55,1752024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
HEARING HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS - IOWA REGION
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
DES MOINES ART CENTER
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTRAL COLLEGE
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES AND ALUMNI
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
NEWTON YMCA COMMUNITY CENTER
$50,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
PROVIDENCE ST MEL SCHOOL
$45,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
WESLEY RETIREMENT SERVICES
$40,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
BALLET THEATRE OF DES MOINES
$40,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
DARKSKY INTERNATIONAL
$35,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION
$35,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER INC
$35,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
AMANDA THE PANDA
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
IOWA LEGAL AID
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
HOOVER PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
IOWA YOUTH CHORUS
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
MOMENTUM WHEELS FOR HUMANITY
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN & FAMILIES OF IOWA
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION INC AKA FIRE
$30,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
ARIZONA LAND & WATER TRUST
$27,1302024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER IOWA
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NEW ATLANTIS
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
LIVING HISTORY FARMS FOUNDATION
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
HUDSON INSTITUTE
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
NETWORK FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY - JASPER COUNTY
$25,0002024 GRANT AWARDS - GENERAL SUPPORT