The Shelby County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded $116,841 in grants to Shelby County nonprofit agencies. The following organizations were awarded grants by the Shelby County Community Foundation Advisory Board:

  • Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc. – $3,750.00 for 2019 Barn Project
  • City of Harlan – $5,000.00 for Softball Field Press Box
  • City of Irwin – $11,000.00 for Equipment for Fire Department
  • Concerned Inc. – $2,000.00 for Evacuation Exit Improvements
  • Country Care Center Corporation – $2,000.00 for Laundry Air Circulation System
  • Danish Windmill – $6,000.00 for Replace Fire Suppression System
  • Earling Fire and Rescue – $6,000.00 for Equipment
  • Elk Horn Fire Department – $6,000.00 for Equipment
  • Elk Horn Public Library – $3,000.00 for Summer Reading Program
  • Emergency Management Agency –$8,000.00 for Equipment
  • Friends of Harlan City Parks – $13,006.18 for Renovations and Equipment
  • Harlan Community Library Foundation – $5,000.00 for Newspaper Digitization
  • Harlan Fire Department – $8,000.00 for Radio Replacement
  • Harlan Police Department – $750.00 for Handheld Radar
  • Iowa Community Kitchen – $1,000.00 for Equipment
  • Kirkman Centennial Committee – $7,000.00 for New Roof
  • Loess Hills Agriculture in the Classroom – $1,000.00 for Agricultural Literacy for Youth
  • Museum of Danish America – $1,200.00 for Gallery Lighting
  • Panama-Washington Township Fire Department – $3,500.00 for Medical Equipment
  • Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department – $4,824.00 for Emergency Scene Equipment
  • Shelby County Community Outreach – $2,000.00 to Restore Storage Container
  • Shelby County Fair Corporation – $2,000.00 for Ag Learning Center Improvements
  • Shelby County Historical Society – $5,000.00 for Phase 3 Military Exhibit Renovation
  • Shelby Fire and Rescue – $6,661.00 for Equipment
  • Time for Tots –$2,000.00 for Shelving
  • West Central Community Action – $1,150.00 for Food Pantry Equipment

All grantees met the criteria as Shelby County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Shelby County were eligible. Shelby County agency representatives received their checks on April 25. During brief check distribution activities, Todd Argotsinger commended the nonprofit agencies for their individual efforts to provide a better quality of life for the residents of Shelby County.

Our Advisory Board is pleased to direct $116,841 in grants to these important community efforts in Shelby County. The Shelby County Community Foundation is one of nine counties that are collectively known as the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa and meets or exceeds the Standards for Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations in Washington DC.
Todd Argotsinger, Chair of the Shelby County Community Foundation

The Shelby County Community Foundation, as an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation and member of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, receives funds annually from the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program for endowment building and grantmaking throughout the county. Created in 2004, the County Endowment Fund Program is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue. These funds are distributed annually to participating community foundations and affiliate community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.

Beyond the County Endowment Fund Program, the Shelby County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create charitable funds that address the changing, vital community needs and interests. Donating to a charitable fund helps your neighbors today and you help build a stronger community tomorrow. Not only that, you may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit for each donation, in addition to any Federal tax benefits for which you may qualify. The Shelby County Community Foundation invests and administers these funds and distributes grants to deserving, qualified nonprofit organizations. “This has grown from an annual event to twice a year, with one grant cycle in the spring and another in the fall,” said Argotsinger.

For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact Stacey Goodman, Iowa Foundations Director, at 800-794-3458 or stacey@omahafoundation.org. Shelby County nonprofits may go here to learn more about the grant guidelines and to apply.