Over $235,000 Awarded in Local Grants

We are pleased to announce the awarding of over $235,000 in grants to support local charitable programs and projects through our Impact and Racial Justice Granting Programs.

These grants are aimed at a wide range of initiatives, including education, human services, health, culture, and racial justice. Each grant is a testament to the incredible depth of work happening within our community.

The Community Foundation’s competitive grant programs are supported by the County Endowment Re-granting Program, as well as through funds established by donors to support specific charitable causes. Individual funds include the Hilda E. Collitz for the Homeless Fund, George G. Millett Memorial Fund, Joe W. and Betty L. Rauch Memorial Endowment Fund, Karen and Greg Harper Endowment Fund, Pat & Jim Powers Endowment Fund, Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund, West Liberty Community Endowment Fund, and the Racial Justice Fund.

Organizations that received grants include:

Aligned Impact Muscatine County - $12,500 for Course to College Muscatine County and the Kindergarten Readiness and Academic Success Program. (Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund and County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

Atalissa Fire Department - $1,700 for safety and communication equipment, including Unication G5 pagers and all-season high-visibility coats. (West Liberty Community Endowment Fund)

Crossroads, Inc. - $31,900 for the Senior Resources Meals on Wheels Program, Muscatine Senior Center, Senior Resources Outreach Program, and day habilitation portable ramps. (Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund, George Millett Memorial Fund, and County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

EveryChild - $10,000 for the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center. (Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund)

Family Resources, Inc. - $20,000 for supporting survivors of violence and increasing access to mental health services in Muscatine County. (Hilda E. Collitz for the Homeless Fund, Pat & Jim Powers Endowment Fund, and County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) Inc. - $8,893.86 to build professional readiness and support preparation for career success for Muscatine and West Liberty students. (County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

Iowa Legal Aid - $10,000 for legal services for low-income Muscatine County residents. (County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

Junior Achievement of the Heartland - $8,500 to provide financial literacy and career engagement learning experiences for students in Muscatine County. (Joe W. and Betty L. Rauch Memorial Endowment Fund and County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

LULAC Council 317 Columbus Junction - $23,251 for the Columbus Junction Community Advocate Program and food pantry. (Racial Justice Fund)

Lutheran Services in Iowa - $5,000 for early childhood home visitation services. (Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund)

Muscatine Community School District - $11,500 for the Muscatine High School Work-Based Learning Program and the Special Education Work Experience Program. (George Millett Memorial Fund and County Endowment Re-granting Program)

Muscatine County Fair - $10,000 for the Muscatine County Fair Event Center. (Karen and Greg Harper Endowment Fund and County Endowment Re-Granting Program)

Muscatine Legal Services - $10,000 for Muscatine Crisis Legal Aid. (County Endowment Re-granting Program)

River Bend Food Bank - $10,000 for new in-school food pantries in all Muscatine Community School District schools. (Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund)

Safe Families for Children Alliance - $2,000 for program support to address the issues of child abuse and neglect. (County Endowment Re-granting Program)

The Diversity Service Center of Iowa - $26,500 for the Educational Outreach Program and the Minority Senior Citizens Program. (County Endowment Re-granting Program and Racial Justice Fund)

The Salvation Army of Muscatine County - $10,000 for food pantry and meal site programs. (County Endowment Re-granting Program)

Trinity Muscatine Public Health - $7,000 for Adolescent Sexual Health Education Programs. (County Endowment Re-granting Program)

United Way Muscatine County - $5,000 for the Community Diaper Bank. (Richard H. & Mary Jo Stanley Human Conditions Support Fund)

West Liberty Chamber of Commerce - $900 for seating at the West Liberty Farmers Market. (West Liberty Community Endowment Fund)

West Liberty Voluntary Action Center Food Pantry - $1,500 for food pantry and other essential items for food-insecure families. (West Liberty Community Endowment Fund)

WeLead - $10,749 for the Aquarius Club’s annual toy drive and the annual Latinos Unidos West Liberty festival. (West Liberty Community Endowment Fund and Racial Justice Fund)

“We are thrilled to support these organizations and their vital work in our communities,” said Rebecca Harden-Jones, Programs Manager at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine. “These grants will make a significant impact, helping to address critical needs and enhancing the quality of life for residents in our area.”

All Community Foundation competitive grant applications are reviewed by a volunteer community granting committee and scored on the same criteria. Grants are allocated by the average score of each application until the available funding is expended. To learn more about Community Foundation grant programs, visit www.givinggreater.org/granting.