JCF awards grants to area organizations

Dan Skokan, president of the Jasper Community Foundation, announced nearly $100,000 in grant awards have been distributed to area non-profit organizations. The community foundation receives funds for grantmaking and endowment building each year from the state-sponsored County Endowment Fund Program. The grant proposals were received from educational, municipal and non-profit organizations throughout Jasper County.

“I am pleased to announce the Foundation awarded grant funding to 25 non-profits throughout Jasper County. These grant funds will provide much needed financial support for a variety of important programs and services in our communities,” Skokan said. “Each year we make an effort to fund a wide variety of programs that touch residents all over the county. This year we were able to make grants to organizations supporting programs and services in human services, education, recreation, arts and culture, community vitality and many others.”

The Foundation awarded grants that ranged from $1,100 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.

Local organizations receiving the grant include:

• Food Bank of Iowa — feeding Jasper County

• Friends of the Chichaqua Valley Trail — bicycle work stands and pumps

• Iowa College Access Network – Jasper Co. FAFSA Challenge

• Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society – prevention of increasing cat population

• Mingo Hometown Pride — gateway mural

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 endowment building throughout the state. These funds are distributed annually to participating community foundations and affiliate community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.

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.