Allamakee County Community Foundation Awards $90,000 to Local Nonprofits

The Allamakee County Community Foundation awarded over $90,000 to area nonprofits at its annual grant award celebration at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing on April 23.

The Foundation receives funds each year from the State of Iowa County Endowment Program. Seventy-five percent of the money received is granted out, while twenty-five percent is maintained in a permanent endowment with the income to be distributed in future years.

Donors who give to endowments through a community foundation may also benefit from the Endow Iowa 25% State Tax Credit in addition to the federal charitable income tax deduction.

In addition to the awards given on Tuesday evening, the board makes grants to the Northeast Iowa Funder’s Network and in support of philanthropic education across the county, bringing its total contribution to the community to $99,372.98 in 2019.

The Community Foundation hosts 40 permanent endowment funds established by donors and groups of donors. These funds provided an additional $115,000 to support nonprofits in the county this year. 

"Endowments are a perpetual source of grant dollars for local organizations," said Betty Steege, foundation coordinator. "Every year, these funds pay out to support causes in our community, helping nonprofits respond to emerging needs as well as plan for the future and sustain the good work they do."

Lansing resident Barbara Winters (pictured) spoke about both the growth and impact of the Allamakee County Fund for After School Programs, which she started in memory of her late husband, Dennis. Winters established the fund in 2010 while serving on the Foundation’s board.

As an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Allamakee County Community Foundation also offers a variety of training programs and networking opportunities that build nonprofits’ organizational structures and capacity to deepen their impact.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations for various initiatives:

  • Allamakee Community School District

Allamakee Regional Welding Academy

  • Allamakee County Conservation Board

Kayaks for Environmental Education Programs

  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque 

Youth Mental Health First Aid Community Training

  • Driftless Area Scenic Byway 

Printing and Distribution of New Driftless Area Scenic Byway Tear-Sheet Maps

  • Friends of Yellow River State Forest 

Wood Splitter and Security Cameras

  • Helping Services for Youth & Families

Youth Mentoring at Helping Services

  • City of Lansing Park and Recreation Board

Children's Splash Pad at Lansing Playground

  • Lansing Iowa Food Trust

LIFT 2019

  • Northeast Iowa Community College Foundation    

Waukon Center Summer Camps

  • Postville Elementary Parent Teacher Organization

Postville Elementary Playground

  • Upper Iowa River Alliance

Capturing the Spirit of the Upper Iowa River Through Multimedia

  • Waukon Economic Development Corporation

Let's Get Our Walk On, Waukon - Phase One