At its second annual grant celebration event, the Shelby County Community Foundation honored 28 nonprofit organizations and community projects that received grants throughout the past year. These honorees included grant recipients from both Spring and Fall 2022 grant cycles who were awarded a collective sum of $178,050.

Throughout 2022, the Foundation received a total of 55 grant applications from community organizations, with more than $470,000 requested. As a part of its two grant cycles, the Shelby County Community Foundation awarded $178,050 to 38 of the 55 applications.

“In 2022, we’ve been able to fund a wide array of projects and programs,” said Board Chair Brock Darling. “Grants were awarded to support construction and renovation, recreational opportunities, and many more projects that will have a positive effect on our community members—both young and old. We’re proud of the impact of the Foundation, and we’re glad to have this opportunity to celebrate the important work of these organizations throughout Shelby County.”

Each year, the Shelby County Community Foundation holds two grant cycles with the objective of funding projects that will have a lasting impact in the county.

“Since the Foundation was established in 1998, it has infused more than $3.9 million in grants and scholarships to support organizations and individuals across the county,” said Iowa Foundations Director Sunni Kamp. “This speaks to the generous, philanthropic spirit of our communities. With the support of our donors, charitable funds allocated through the community foundation, and our participation in the County Endowment Fund Program, we can continue to invest valuable resources back into projects and initiatives throughout Shelby County.”

The Shelby County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, which meets National Standards for Community Foundations, and is one of nine county members of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa. Each year it receives funds from the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program for endowment building and grantmaking throughout the county. The spring cycle of grants is made possible through the County Endowment Fund Program and is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.

The Foundation’s fall grant cycle is made possible through the generosity of donors to the Shelby County Community Foundation. The Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create permanent and expendable funds that address changing, vital community needs and interests. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Shelby County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Advisory board members of the Shelby County Community Foundation are Chair, Brock Darling of Irwin; Vice Chair, Kristy Hansen, CPA of Harlan; Secretary/Treasurer, Michael Riley of Harlan; Jodee Dixon of Elk Horn; Leona Konz of Shelby; and Max Powers of Defiance.

 

Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

  • Concerned Inc. – $2,000, Safety Light Repair
  • Country Care Center Corporation – $2,400, Fire Door Mechanics Installation
  • Defiance Fire and Rescue Department – $12,251, Emergency Back Up Generator
  • Earling Fire & Rescue Department – $ 20,000.00 , SCBA Refill Station Upgrade
  • Elk Horn Public Library – $2,000, Young Adult Library Space
  • Friends of Harlan City Parks – $6,000, Water Fountains for Harlan Parks
  • Harlan Little League – $2,700, Equipment Replacement Purchase
  • Harlan Swim Team – $4,033, Starting Block Tops and Covers
  • Irwin Fire and Rescue Association – $15,000, Life Safety Equipment
  • Kids in the Village – $14,613, Classroom Furniture and Play Equipment
  • Kirkman Fire Department – $8,100, Personal Protection Equipment
  • Museum of Danish America – $5,000, Expanding Pedestrian Walking Paths
  • Panama Community Club and Betterment Association – $5,000, Welcome Sign
  • Panama Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000, 12 Lead EKG Monitoring System
  • Petersen Family Wellness Center – $10,000, Resurfacing of Wooden Gym Floor
  • Shelby County Community Outreach – $4,500, Building Upkeep – Exterior Painting
  • Shelby County Historical Museum – $600 , Visitor Safety Initiative
  • Shelby Fire and Rescue – $1,895, Advanced Life Support Portable Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
  • Time For Tots – $15,000, Education and Play Revision
  • West Central Community Action – $396, Emergency Clothing Room Garment Racks

Fall 2022 Grant Recipients:

  • City of Elk Horn – $2,000, Pool House
  • City of Irwin – $1,200, Community Building Chair Replacement
  • Concerned, Inc. – $375, Technology Upgrade
  • Country Care Center Corporation – $2,500, Transfer Area Door
  • Danish Windmill Corporation – $2,500, Tree Removal
  • Defiance Fire & Rescue – $1,000, Back Up Cameras
  • Earling Fire & Rescue Department – $5,225, Torpedo Nozzles
  • Elk Horn Fire Department – $2,000, Rescue and Vehicle Extrication Equipment
  • Friends of Harlan City Parks – $2,000, Dreamland Playground First Feature
  • Harlan Community Library – $3,800, Teammates Mentoring Relationship Builders
  • Harlan Community Teammates Mentoring Program – $3,375, Teammates Mentoring Relationship Builders
  • Harlan Fire Department – $2,000, Communications Replacement Project
  • Panama Volunteer Fire Department – $2,500, Tables, Pulse Oximeter Monitoring System
  • Shelby County Community Outreach – $1,650, Home Repair Program
  • Shelby County Historical Museum – $1,150, Museum Store Update
  • Shelby County Trails Board – 1,000, Ballpark to Ballpark Trail
  • Shelby Fire & Rescue – $2,425, Ambulance Narcotic Safe
  • Time For Tots – $2,425, Early Literacy Development