The Mills County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded $149,800 in grants to Mills County nonprofit agencies. The following organizations were awarded grants by the Mills County Community Foundation Advisory Board:

  • Emerson Public Library – $1,500.00 for Outside Book Drop
  • Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department – $5,720.00 to Replace Bunker Gear
  • Liberty Memorial Building Board – $15,000.00 for Phase 5, Liberty Memorial Building Renovation
  • Malvern Area Betterment Association – $28,760.00 for City of Malvern Entrance Sign
  • Malvern Volunteer Fire Department – $47,250.00 for Compressor and Cascade Fill Station
  • Malvern Volunteer Rescue – $15,000.00 for Lucas Mechanical CPR Compression Device
  • Mills County Conservation – $500.00 for Pony Creek Nature Center Turtle Display
  • Mills County Fair Association – $14,830.00 for Fairground Buildings Electrical Improvements
  • Mills County Public Health – $5,000.00 for AED Project
  • Oak Township Fire and Rescue –$2,800.00 for Emergency Scene Lighting
  • Silver City Ambulance – $6,000.00 for Cardiac Monitors
  • Silver City Public Library – $2,500.00 for New Carpet
  • Silver City Volunteer Fire Department – $3,000.00 to Replace Bunker Gear
  • Southwest Iowa Pickleball Committee – $1,500.00 to Repurpose Tennis Courts as Pickleball Courts
  • West Central Community Action – $440.00 for Food Pantry Equipment

The amount available for grants included $115,000 from the William L. Costello Endowed Fund. All grantees met the criteria as Mills County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Mills County were eligible. Mills County agency representatives received their checks on November 15. During brief check distribution activities, Lana White commended the nonprofit agencies for their individual efforts to provide a better quality of life for the residents of Mills County.

Our Advisory Board is pleased to direct $149,800 in grants to these important community efforts in Mills County. The Mills 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.

The Mills 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 Mills 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 White.

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. Mills County nonprofits may go here to learn more about the grant guidelines and to apply.