Allamakee County Community Foundation Grants $91,500 to Local Nonprofits at Annual Grant Celebration
The Allamakee County Community Foundation awarded $91,5000 to area nonprofits April 18 at its annual grant award celebration at the Empty Nest Winery in Waukon.
At the event, Board Chair Anthony Gericke announced grant awards totaling $91,500 to the following organizations:
- Waterville Volunteer Fire Department - $20,000
Funding for Firefighter SCBA and facemasks - Postville Volunteer Fire Department - $14,500
New Fire Truck-Tanker/Tender - City of Lansing Park and Recreation Board / International Lions Club, Lansing, IA - $10,000
Lansing Lions Playground Enhancement Project - City of Waukon - Wellness Center - $7,500
Waukon Softball Complex and Park Diamond Improvements - City of Harpers Ferry - Volunteer Fire Department - $6,000
Personal Firefighter Protection Equipment Replacement Project - City of New Albin - Fire Department - $6,000
Personal Protective Equipment Compliance - Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society - $6,000
Oil Springs School Preservation Phase I and II - Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc. - $6,000
Harpers Ferry Family Splash Zone - Lansing Fire Department - $6,000
Confined Space Equipment - Northeast Iowa YMCA - $6,000
YMCA of Northeast Iowa Equipment - Upper Iowa River Alliance - $2,000
New and Improved Upper Iowa River Canoe Guide - Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club - $1,000
Allamakee County ATV/UTV Trail Signage - Northeast Iowa Community College Foundation - $500
Allamakee County STEAM Creation - Makerspace Summer Camp
The ACCF receives funds each year from the Iowa Department of Economic Development County Endowment Program. Seventy-five percent of the money received is granted out each year. The other twenty-five percent is maintained in a permanent endowment with the income to be distributed in future years.
Foundation Coordinator Betty Steege remarked that this program might not be available forever, encouraging people to consider permanent endowment funds.
"Endowments are like a perpetual source of grant dollars for your organization," said Steege. "Every year these funds pay out to support the missions of causes in our community. Our goal is that some day, these endowment funds will pay back far more than what we get from the state of Iowa."
And Steege's goal is getting closer. This year the ACCF authorized $83,000 in agency and donor-advised endowment payouts to more than 20 local nonprofits.
"Endowments form a reliable source of funding for nonprofits," said Steege. "They help them respond to emerging needs as well as plan for the future and sustain the good work they do."
Donors who give to endowments through a community foundation also benefit from the Endow Iowa 25% State Tax Credit in addition to federal charitable income tax deductions.
As an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, ACCF also works with its host to strengthen nonprofits by offering a variety of training programs and networking opportunities that build capacities and organizational structures. ACCF regularly evaluates nonprofits to assure donors and the Foundation that funds produce the maximum benefit for improving lives.
For more information on the ACCF, visit www.dbqfoundation.org/accf or call 563.586.2046.