At its second annual grant celebration event, in partnership with the Red Oak Heritage Foundation, the Montgomery County Community Foundation honored 23 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 $167,750.

Throughout 2022, the Foundation received a total of 41grant applications from community organizations, with more than $315,000 requested. As a part of its two grant cycles, the Montgomery County Community Foundation awarded $167,750 to 31 of the 41 applications.

“In 2022, we’ve been able to fund a wide array of projects,” said Board Chair Kevin Britten. “Grants were awarded to support conservation and construction throughout the county, as well as many more projects that will have a positive effect on community members of all ages. 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 Montgomery County.”

Each year, the Montgomery 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 $2.4 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 Montgomery County.”

The Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Advisory board members of the Montgomery County Community Foundation are Chair, Kevin Britten of Red Oak; Vice Chair, Kim Robinson of Red Oak; Secretary/Treasurer, Brian LaRette of Red Oak; Marty Barnett of Red Oak; Dennis D. Bloom, Esq. of Red Oak; Tammie Bodwell of Villisca; Christine Johnson of Red Oak; Jenna Ramsey of Stanton; and John Tischer of Elliott.

Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

  • City of Villisca – $6,000, Pool and Park Upgrade
  • Elliott Community Club – $5,000, Utility Shed
  • Feed the Pack-West – $3,000, Housing Authority Outdoor Eating Area
  • Friends of Viking Lake State Park Inc. – $7,000, Campground Playground Equipment
  • Montgomery County Agricultural Society – $5,490, Replacement of Folding Chairs
  • Montgomery County Family YMCA – $30,000, Rooftop HVAC Replacement Project
  • Nishna Productions, Inc. – $4,510, Raizer Lift Up Chair
  • Project Porchlight – $3,000, Project Backpack
  • Red Oak Grand Theatre, Inc. – $17,750, Tuck-pointing/Repair of Original Building
  • Red Oak Music Boosters – $9,050, Four-Piece Timpani Set
  • Restored Burlington Northern Depot & World War II Museum – $7,500, Chimney Restoration/Damaged Windows Replacement
  • Southwest Valley Early Childhood Education Center – $9,000, Outdoor Classroom Project
  • Stanton Historical Society – $5,000, Upstairs Air-Conditioning Project
  • Stanton Viking Center – $13,250, Permanent Sound System
  • Wilson Performing Arts Center – $8,000, Computer and Network Upgrades

Fall 2022 Grant Recipients:

  • Animal Alliance Rescue – $2,000, Animal Alliance Rescue Critical Care
  • City of Villisca – $1,200, Tables – Villisca Community Building
  • Friends of Viking Lake State Park Inc. – $375, Outdoor Movie Entertainment Equipment
  • Montgomery County Child Development Association – $2,500, Educational Materials
  • Montgomery County Conservation Foundation – $1,000, Interpretive Signage Updates
  • Montgomery County Family YMCA – $5,225, Commercial Water Softener
  • Nishna Productions, Inc. – $2,000, Raizer LiftUp Chair
  • Optimist Club of Red Oak – $2,000, Red Oak Optimist Sign Project
  • Red Oak Grand Theatre, Inc. – $3,800, Commercial Sump Pump Backup & Ice Machine
  • Red Oak Soccer Inc. – $3,375, Red Oak Soccer Inc. Equipment
  • Restored Burlington Northern Depot & World War II Museum – $2,000, Attic Insulation and Bat Abatement
  • Southwest Valley Early Childhood Education Center – $2,500, Tables, Supplies and Learning Tools
  • Southwest Valley Middle School – $1,650, Sound Equipment for Sports Facilities
  • Stanton Public Library – $1,150, New Children’s Computer
  • Wellmark Healthy Hometown – Stanton – 1,000, Outdoor Physical Activity/Recreation Equipment
  • Wilson Performing Arts Center – $2,425, LED Lighting Upgrade to Facility