29 groups share $106,010 in grants

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

More than $106,000 was awarded to 29 groups during a ceremony Wednesday evening.

The thing each group has in common is its project will help better Floyd County.

The Floyd County Community Foundation grant awards celebration was shortened somewhat by inclement weather, but representatives of each group left with a check.

Charlie Newman, chairman of the Foundation, explained that the money comes from state gambling revenue.

The state requires that a portion of each state-licensed casino’s gambling revenue be used for charitable and civic needs. In those counties that have casinos, most of the money is spent in those counties.

But a portion is sent to the County Endowment Fund Program that was established in 2004 to share state gambling revenue among the 84 counties that don’t have state gaming licenses.

“In 2017-18, $11.2 million was distributed to 84 community foundations across the state, funding more than 2,000 grants,” Newman said. “Since 2005, the Floyd County Community Foundation has received and awarded more than $1.6 million in grants to support great projects and organizations throughout Floyd County.”

Newman said each community foundation distributes 75% of the state program funds it receives each year, and 25% is placed in a permanent endowment fund that is intended to grow and provide a permanent funding source for projects within the county, as well as attract other donations.

He credited the Floyd County group’s association with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa with helping it succeed.

“We operate as an extension of the CFNEIA,” Newman said. “They handle much of the compliance and administrative requirements of our local committee.”

Newman said 45 grant requests asking for a total of more than $260,000 were received in the current grant cycle. Members of the Floyd County Community Foundation governing committee help select the projects that will divide the money that is available.

“There are many deserving causes and nonprofit organizations that apply for grant funding each year,” said Newman. “The Floyd County Community Foundation is proud to partner with these nonprofits to ensure they are able to offer the programs and services which create more vibrant communities for all people in Floyd County.”

Grants are awarded in seven areas: art and culture, community betterment, education, environment, health, historic preservation and human service.

Here are the recipient organizations, projects and grant amounts that were awarded the total $106,010 Wednesday evening:

Art and Culture

• Charles City Arts Council – handicap accessible bathroom – $5,000.
• Floyd County Fair Society – All-American Lumberjack Show – $8,500.
• Floyd County ISU Extension – youth fair exhibit displays – $1,400.

Community Betterment

• City of Floyd – Part II signage and beautification of Cedar River access – $2,000.
• City of Marble Rock – Marble Rock Fun Days – $1,000.
• Marble Rock Park Board – new bathrooms project – $5,000.
• Nora Springs Impact Group – baseball and softball diamonds revision – $5,000.

Education

• Immaculate Conception School – S.M.A.R.T. Learning – $1,050.
• Marble Rock Fire Department – Sparky costume – $1,000.
• Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School District – RRMR PTO – $2,000.

Environment

• Floyd County Conservation – drinking fountain updates – $2,360.

Health

• Charles City Rotary – It’s OKay to be Safe program– $1,500.
• Floyd County Medical Center – family waiting room update – $6,000.
• Sunset Generation of Rockford – freezer replacement – $1,100.

Historic Preservation

• City of Charles City – Mooney Gallery light management and library display project – $2,800.
• Floyd County Historical Society Museum – efficient heating/cooling system – $7,800.

Human Service

• Avalon Center – group counseling – $2,000.
• Charles City Family YMCA – wheelchair basketball equipment – $7,000.
• City of Charles City – Floyd County Foster Grandparents in-service – $4,000.
• Floyd County Sheriff’s Office – laptop computer – $5,000.
• Floyd County Child Abuse Prevention Council – Advocacy, Awareness, Assistance – Family Supports for Prevention – $2,000.
• Floyd County Quilts of Valor – Quilts of Valor – $1,500.
• Grow Rockford Together Association – Rockford B/ASKids (Before/After School Kids)/SOAR (School’s Out at Rockford) – $3,000.
• Immaculate Conception Church – Boy Scout Troop 1078 – $2,000.
• Jordan River – Messiah’s Food Pantry – $10,000.
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank – BackPack Program – $5,000.
• Senior Citizens of Charles City Area – special events – $1,000.
• The Learning Center (TLC) – Our Future – TLC The GRAND Plan – $7,000.
• Trinity United Methodist Church – Our Brother’s Keeper – $3,000.

Floyd County Community Foundation Governing Committee members are Chairman Charlie Newman, Vice Chairwoman Amy Staudt, Treasurer Sheila Koudelka, Sue Bortz, Lisa Garden, Jim Erb, Kurt Hoeft, Erica Troyna, Jane Larson, Teresa Stevens-Marth, Rod Nordeng, Alicia Schmitt and Tracy Merfeld.

The 2020 grant cycle begins Aug. 15. Application deadline is Sept. 30, and grant guidelines and applications can be found at www.floydccf.org.