The Jasper Community Foundation is awarding 23 area nonprofit organizations grants this year through the state-sponsored County Endowment Program.
A total of 29 proposals were received from educational, municipal and nonprofit organizations throughout Jasper County.
“I am pleased to announce that the foundation awarded $91,345 in grants during our annual grant program. These grant funds will provide much needed financial support for a variety of important programs and services in Jasper County,” said Dan Skokan, president of the Jasper Community Foundation. “Each year the foundation makes an effort to fund a wide variety of programs that touch residents all over the county. This year our Board reviewed requests from organizations that represented, among others: human services, education, recreation, arts and culture and community vitality.”
The foundation awarded grants that ranged from $250 to $10,000 to new or enhanced, innovative programs that address needs or issues within Jasper County.
All submitted grant proposals were reviewed by the Jasper Community Foundation Board.
The 23 organizations receiving funding through this program are:
• Baxter Early Learning Center — East/West door replacement
• Baxter Federated Garden Club — Flower planters for Main Street
• Centre for Arts and Artists — Clay Room expansion
• Clearview Recovery, Inc. — Technology upgrades and backups
• Colfax Main Street — Downtown Colfax signage
• Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) — Prepare high school students, parents for college
• Iowa Sculpture Festival — Concrete pads for sculpture rental sites
• Jasper County Animal Rescue League — Kennel gates and guillotine doors
• Jasper County Conservation — Shelter house renovation phase 1
• Jasper County Historical Society — Foundation for the future (self-guided tours)
• Kid Assist of Jasper County — Height adjustable seat
• Mingo High School Alumni Association — Preserving high school class photos
• Mingo Parks & Recreation — City parks and playground renovation
• Monroe Public Library — Community impact project
• Peck Child Development Center, Inc — Playground fence
• City of Prairie City — Lighting for north entryway beautification project
• PCM Food Pantry — Freezer
• PCM Music Boosters Association — PCM High School Band Marimba
• Progress Industries — Securing the Future of PI-Keyless entry
• Salvation Army of Newton — Pathway of Hope case management
• The Sully Foundation — Central Park playset project
• United Way of Jasper County — Building improvements
• Willowbrook Adult Day Center — Upgrading lift chairs
The County Endowment Fund program made the funds for these grants possible. This fund was established by the state legislature in 2004 to help promote charitable giving and philanthropy within the state. The amounts allocated to each eligible county are awarded to a qualified community foundation for distribution.
The Jasper Community Foundation was established in 1997 for the purpose of receiving tax deductible bequests and gifts in the form of cash or property from individuals, corporations and other organizations that have an interest in improving the quality of life for people residing in Jasper County.
The foundation assists arts and culture, economic development, education, environment and recreation, health and human services organizations and other high-impact projects and programs throughout the county.