
More than $100,000 Granted to Crawford County Nonprofit Agencies Nearly $1 Million Invested in Nonprofits by the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa
While there may not be an over abundance of good investment news lately, Steve Vary, Chair of the Crawford County Community Foundation (formerly the Crawford County Endowment Fund) is pleased to announce today the investment of $102,279.63 in grants in Crawford County nonprofit agencies.
"This is timely economic news for our County because research has shown that $1 of investment in a nonprofit organization can lead to $8 in economic benefit to the public," said Vary. "I do not know where else today you can find that kind of return on a dollar. It is our hope that the grants announced today can pay dividends to Crawford County of an approximate $800,000 value. And the greatest news is that's value we all share in our communities."
The following nonprofit organizations, which submitted applications to the Crawford County Community Foundation by the February 1st deadline, were awarded grants by the Crawford County Board of Directors:
|
Organization |
Project |
Award |
|
Charter Oak-Ute Education Foundation |
Computer Whiteboard |
$975 |
|
Norelius Community Library |
Digital Presentation Initiative |
$1,000 |
|
Ricketts Park and Recreation Committee |
Park Betterment |
$1,000 |
|
City of Schleswig |
Schleswig Southern Heights Park |
$1,500 |
|
Crawford County Conservation Board |
Yellow Smoke Campground Park Improvements |
$2,000 |
|
Crawford County Board of Supervisors |
Neal Moeller Environmental Education Center |
$2,000 |
|
Manilla Area Historical Association |
Painting the Klondike Hotel |
$2,500 |
|
Eventide Senior Housing, Inc. |
Handicap Accessible Automatic Door Openers |
$2,750 |
|
WESCO Industries |
Client Database Project |
$4,000 |
|
Dow City Community Club |
Community Storm Shelter |
$4,250 |
|
Vail Swimming Pool Association |
Drain Covers |
$4,500 |
|
Ar-We-Va Education Foundation |
Project Reading |
$5,000 |
|
City of Charter Oak |
Walkway for Arboretum and Veteran's Memorial |
$5,000 |
|
Westside Economic Development Organization |
Acquisition and Demolition of Distressed Real Estate |
$5,000 |
|
City of Schleswig |
Schleswig Youth Recreation |
$6,000 |
|
Friends of the Denison Recreation Center |
Friends of the Denison Recreation Center/Denison Recreation Center |
$15,234.97 |
|
City of Denison |
Animal Shelter Expansion |
$19,234.97 |
|
Hospital Foundation of Crawford County |
Mobile Wireless Computerized Healthcare Stations |
$20,234.69 |
Of those awards, the top three areas represented were Recreation, Health-General & Rehabilitative, and Animal Related with 27%, 20%, and 19% respectively. All grantees met the criteria as Crawford County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services. Only organizations providing services in Crawford County were eligible.
Crawford County agency representatives received their checks this week. During brief check distribution activities, Vary commended the nonprofit agencies for their individual efforts to provide a better quality of life for the residents of Crawford County.
Our Advisory Board is pleased to direct $102,279.63 in grants to these important community efforts in Crawford County.” Vary explained, “The Crawford County Community Foundation is one of nine counties united as the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, which collectively meet or exceed the Standards for Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations in Washington DC.” Together, the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa will invest nearly $1 million this spring in nonprofits in our area.
The Crawford County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create permanent funds that address the changing, vital community needs and interests. Contributions large and small come in the form of cash, appreciated stock, real estate and end of life bequests that leave a lasting legacy. The Crawford County Community Foundation invests and administers these funds and distributes funds each year to deserving, qualified nonprofit organizations. “This is an annual granting process,” said Vary, “to-date the Crawford County Community Foundation has distributed approximately $258,700 in grants in Crawford County.”
Board members of the Crawford County Community Foundation are: Chair, Steve Vary of Arion; Vice Chair Jim White of Westside; Secretary/Treasurer Allen Nepper of Denison; Larry Abbe of Schleswig; Dave Kock of Breda; Charles Agan of Manilla; Joan Petersen of Denison; Jim Lohman of Denison; and Scott Ferguson of Denison.

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