At its second annual grant celebration event, the Page County Community Foundation, in partnership with the Clarinda Foundation and the Greater Shenandoah Foundation, honored 18 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 $154,546.

Throughout 2022, the Foundation received a total of 22 grant applications from community organizations, with more than $278,000 requested. As a part of its two grant cycles, the Page County Community Foundation awarded $154,546 to 17 applications and one proactive funding initiative.

“In 2022, we’ve been able to fund a wide array of projects,” said Board Chair Mandy Fielder. “Grants were awarded to support health and human services and construction throughout the county, as well as 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 Page County.”

Each year, the Page 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 2004, it has distributed more than $2.5 million in grants,” said Iowa Foundations Director Sunni Kamp. “Through the generosity of donors and charitable funds allocated through the community foundation, along with our participation in the County Endowment Fund Program, we are able to continue to invest valuable resources back into communities across Page County.”

“Since the Foundation was established in 2004, it has infused more than $2.5 million in grants 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 Page County.”

The Page 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 initiative-based funding in the fall is made possible through the generosity of donors to the Page 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 Page County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

The Page County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members are Chair, Mandy Fielder of Shenandoah; Vice Chair, Mark Walter of Clarinda; Secretary/Treasurer, Brian Steinkuehler of Shenandoah; Marlene Bashaw of Shenandoah; Scott Brown of Clarinda, and Pam Herzberg of Clarinda.

Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

  • Clarinda Chamber of Commerce – $6,000, Downtown Wireless Speaker/Music System
  • Clarinda Fire Department – $10,000, Firefighter Gear and Fire Hose
  • Clarinda Lied Center – $6,000, Youth Soccer Revamp
  • Essex Child Center – $6,400, Playground Pavilion Roof Enclosure
  • Essex Opera House – $18,899.39, Plumbing and Electrical Upgrades
  • Grandmas House Daycare – $8,250, Air Conditioner Replacement
  • Lied Public Library – $2,500, Engrave Your Future
  • M.A.Y. Mentoring (Mentoring Affects Youth) – $3,500, “Just Look Up” – Joe Beckman
  • Nishna Productions, Inc. – $4,510, Raizer Lift Up Chair
  • Nodaway Valley Historical Museum – $2,799, History to Life: History Screen
  • Share My Smile – $3,000, Program Growth and Development
  • Shenandoah Medical Center – $11,700, Therapy – Pediatric Care
  • Shenandoah Pregnancy and Resource Center – $1,488, Technology Hardware
  • Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. – $3,500, Sleep In Heavenly Peace Page County
  • St. John Noah’s Ark Christian Childcare – $10,000, Program Improvements
  • Turnbull Child Development Center – $15,000, LED Lighting
  • Veterans Memorial Museum – $20,000, Building Tuck-pointing

Fall 2022 Grant Recipient:

  • Southwest Iowa Families – $21,000, Child and Family Center Campaign