The Shelby County Community Foundation awarded $42,600 to Shelby County nonprofit organizations and community projects during its Fall 2021 Grant Cycle. Including these most recent grants, the Shelby County Community Foundation has distributed over $3.5 million in grants and scholarships over the last 24 years.

The following organizations are Fall 2021 Grant Recipients:

  • Danish Windmill – $2,000, VikingHjem Roof Replacement
  • Defiance Fire and Rescue Department – $2,000, Building Lighting Upgrade
  • Elk Horn Fire Department – $4,470, SCBA Masks
  • Elk Horn Public Library – $1,500, Children’s Section Carpet Replacement
  • Friends of Harlan City  Parks – $3,800, Replacement of Water Fountains
  • Harlan Swim Team – $1,571, Starting Block Tops and Covers
  • Iowa Community Kitchen – $2,000, Two New Freezers
  • Irwin Fire and Rescue Association – $4,500, Personal Protective Equipment
  • Kirkman Fire Department – $4,500, Furnace A/C Unit Replacement
  • Petersen Family Wellness Center – $3,200, Pool Safety Equipment
  • Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department – $4,500, Firefighter Protective Turnout Gear Replacement
  • Shelby County Community Outreach – $5,000, Operational Funds
  • Shelby Fire and Rescue – $3,327, Firefighter Extinguishing and Suppression Equipment
  • West Central Community Action – $232, Food Pantry Utility Cart

All grantees met the criteria as Shelby County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Shelby County were eligible to apply.

These grant funds were made possible by the generosity of donors to the Shelby County Community Foundation and the following charitable funds through the community foundation: Endow Harlan Fund; Grandparents Gifts Foundation for Shelby Endowed Fund; and Thelma Petersen Endowed Fund.

The Shelby County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create permanent and expendable funds—such as those above—that address changing, vital community needs and interests. To inquire about donating to the Shelby County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Shelby County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

The Shelby County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members 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.

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.