Ellen Gaffney is a long-time Buchanan County resident who served as a Buchanan County Supervisor for 28 years; the only female to serve in this capacity for Buchanan County, to-date.

Some of Ellen’s notable accomplishments include being instrumental in getting the bond issue passed for the new Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center, providing self-funded insurance for Buchanan County employees, being a founding member of the Buchanan County Economic Development Commission, and being instrumental in bringing rural water to residents of Buchanan County.

Ellen’s love of humankind, volunteering, and efforts to advance the greater good align with her personal life, too. Ellen has served in a volunteer capacity for numerous organizations including the Buchanan County Community Foundation governing committee. Ellen’s first-hand experience seeing the impacts being made in the community through the work of the Foundation and her passion for continuing education is what led her to establish the scholarship fund. The scholarship fund will benefit students obtaining higher education who reside in Buchanan County, demonstrate financial need, and who have been gainfully employed during high school.

Give to the Fund

Your gift to the Ellen Gaffney Scholarship Fund with the Buchanan County Community Foundation allows the Community Foundation to award financial assistance to students pursuing higher education. As the cost of tuition continues to rise, it is more important now than ever to diminish the barrier of affordability and allow students to focus on what is most important - their education.

Gifts to the fund may be eligible for the Endow Iowa 25% state tax credit. This tax incentive is only available to Iowa residents.