Allamakee County Community Foundation Celebrates 10 Years
Leaders from the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) celebrated endowment growth, grant impact and a thriving philanthropic spirit at their 10-year anniversary celebration on April 21 at 4 p.m. at the Waukon Events Center.
Foundation Coordinator Betty Steege announced grant awards totaling $78,255 to the following nonprofits and programs at the celebration:
$20,000 to the Postville Public Library for replacement of its existing roof
$4,050 to the Harpers Ferry Volunteer Fire Department for new radios
$1,000 the Postville Police Department for body cameras to enhance safety and accountability of both officers and citizens
$20,000 to the Waukon Wellness Center for updated cardiovascular equipment
$5,000 to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank for a new truck to acquire and distribute food to and from partnering agencies in Northeast Iowa
$7,505 to Lansing Fire Department for new radios
$2,200 to Allamakee New Beginnings, Inc. to bring local beef to schools
$1,200 to the Iowa College Access Network to provide college and career readiness programing to Allamakee County youth
$20,000 to the Allamakee County Conservation Board to provide matching funds for the interpretive services portion of the awarded $1.3 million National Scenic Byways Grant for the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center.
$2,500 to the City of Lansing Park's Board to support the Mount Hosmer Improvement Project
$4,800 to Postville Childcare Services, Inc. to support a camera and door security project
The affiliate foundation was created in 2005 following passage of the Endow Iowa State Tax Credit legislation. At that time, CFGD President Nancy Van Milligen traveled from Dubuque to Waukon to educate volunteers about a new model of community development that could help shape their community’s future.
“From our first meeting with Nancy, we knew we wanted to provide a vehicle for families to give back to their home towns,” said current ACCF Board Chair Rachelle Howe. “Watching the ACCF grow has been a wonderful journey for
me and for Allamakee County residents and organizations. As a founding member, it has been my mission as well as the board’s to educate individuals and organizations about ACCF work. The education process will never stop but the board has done a great job thus far.”
Since 2005, the ACCF has grown 25 charitable funds, supporting a 2015 endowment payout of $65,000. The bluffs and valleys between New Ablin, Waterville and Rossville are home to people committed to their landscape and families. Many of their grant projects have supported infrastructure investments and quality-of-life amenities including ball fields in Harpers Ferry, Postville parks and recreation, and youth fishing and Mississippi River clean-up events sponsored by Friends of Pool 9.
To learn more about the Allamakee County Community Foundation, visit www.AllamakeeFoundation.org.