Benton County Community Foundation Distributes $296,589 to Local Nonprofit Organizations

Benton County Community Foundation

January 8, 2024

The Benton County Community Foundation (BCCF) is announcing the distribution of $296,589 to 30 projects of organizations serving Benton County through its 2023 grant cycle.

“Benton County is very fortunate to have these organizations striving to better our community and the Benton County Community Foundation is proud to support them,” said Brian McNulty, chair of the BCCF impact committee.

Grant recipient, organization, project the grant will fund, and grant amount is listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture:

• Youngville Highway History Association, Café Building Improvements - $5,050

Community Betterment:

• Canton, Benton, Shellsburg Firemans Association, Shellsburg Fire Dept. PPE - $12,210
• Cedar Mt. Auburn Community Club, Access For All in Rural Benton County - $15,000
• City of Belle Plaine, Parks & Recreation Website and Police Department Radar Equipment and Signs - $22,065
• City of Garrison, Library Community Electronic Sign - $5,000
• City of Shellsburg, Ball Diamond Improvements - $15,000
• Friends of the Urbana Public Library, Book Bytes: Expanding Connections in Urbana - $13,716
• Shellsburg Area Community Group, Shellsburg Park Enhancements, Phase 5 & 6 - $7,822
• Shellsburg Lions Club, City Park Basketball Court Fence - $5,500
• Urbana Fire Fighters Association, Protective Equipment - $17,603

Education & Youth Development:

• Area Substance Abuse Council – Youth Support in Benton County - $6,925
• Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa – Early Literacy and Fresh Produce Delivery Programs - $6,000
• Center Point-Urbana CSD4 – Intermediate School Playground Fence - $9,000
• City of Vinton – Library STEAM Supplies - $3,765
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois – Operating Support for Girl Scouts in Benton County $10,000
• Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa – Inspiring Choice-Filled Lives for Students - $16,953

Health

• Belle Plaine Area Ambulance – UESCOPES and RAD-57 Oximeters - $17,250
• Benton County Volunteer Center, United Way East Central Iowa – Medical Transportation Assistance Program - $14,000
• Blairstown Ambulance Service – Emergency Medical Services Training and Education - $15,000
• Heritage Area Agency on Aging – Benton County Services to Older Residents - $6,000
• Van Horne First Responders – Cardiac Monitor/12 Lead/AED - $25,516
• Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation – Hospital-Based Outpatient Exam Rooms - $10,000

Human Service

• Families Helping Families of Iowa – Support for Kids in Foster Care in Benton County - $5,000
• Hawkeye Area Community Action Program – Rural Senior Services Site Capacity - $6,914
• Lutheran Services in Iowa – Benton County Early Childhood Services - $5,000
• North Star Community Services – Community Integration and Transportation - $5,100
• Riverview Center, Inc. – Sexual Assault Crisis Response Program - $5,000
• Waypoint Services – Waypoint Domestic Violence Victim Services Program - $5,000
• Wesley United Methodist Church, Vinton – Food Pantry - $5,200

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Benton County. Committee members include: Brian McNulty (Chair), Teresa Cretin, Jean Fish, Mindy Fisher, Kassie Mather, Jackie McDermott, Manda McKinley, Tracy Papesh, Christine Turner and Dusti Winkie.

Grants are awarded through BCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Benton County in order to be considered for funding. The 2024 grant cycle opens September 1 with an application deadline of October 15. The grant guidelines and application can be found at www.bentonccf.org.