Howard County Community Foundation Distributes $117,448 to Local Organizations

Howard County Community Foundation

March 27, 2020

The Howard County Community Foundation (HCCF) announced $117,448 in grant funding to 35 projects of organizations serving Howard County as part of its 2020 grant cycle.

The grant decisions were determined prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on communities and nonprofits. Nonprofits receiving grants may choose to shift funding to general operating support in response to this public health and economic crisis. The Community Foundation will discuss decisions with nonprofits on a one-on-one basis.

“The Howard County Community Foundation is proud to partner with these nonprofits who are making a difference in our local communities,” said Ronda Hughes, chair of the HCCF governing committee. “While the Community Foundation is not able to hold its annual award celebration at this time due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, grant checks will be mailed and we look forward to seeing the impacts in Howard County.”

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

Art and Culture

• City of Cresco, Theatre and Opera House - Risers, $2,233
• Howard County, Conservation - History of Howard County Display, $2,500
• Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, Website Upgrade/Kiosk Project, $1,500

Community Betterment

• City of Cresco, Parks & Recreation - East Park Bleachers, $2,500
• City of Lime Springs, Community Center - Tuckpointing Project, $4,000
• City of Lime Springs, Park Board - Picnic Tables for Brown Park, $1,200
• Driftrunners Snowmobile Club, Driftrunners Trail and Event Equipment, $1,000
• First Freedom, Theater Room Carpet, $5,000
• Riceville Community School, Riceville Building Committee - Activity/Recreation Center Equipment, $7,500
• VFW Post 4561, VFW Post 4561, $3,000

Education

• Elma Early Childhood Center, Updated Equipment, $1,000
• Howard County Child Care Kessel Kids, Infant/Toddler Curriculum, $2,460
• Howard-Winneshiek School District, Crestwood High School - Installation of Vape Detectors, $2,100
• Spring Ahead Learning Center, Spring Ahead Learning Opportunities, $1,881
• Trinity Catholic School, Computer Updates for Teachers, $3,495

Health

• American Red Cross - Blood Services, 2020 Blood Drive Rent for Community Center, $1,000
• Riceville Community School, Administration - Modification of the Wildcat Trail, $3,000
• Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center, Restorative and Strengthening Program, $2,000

Historic Preservation

• Elma Depot Museums Association, Museum Roof Project, $3,000
• Howard County Historical Society, Kellow House, $2,500
• Lime Springs Lidtke Mill Historical Site, Dam Restoration, $5,000
• Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation, Norman Borlaug Birthplace Phase 2 Renovation, $3,000

Human Service

• City of Chester, Fire & Rescue - Pager & Radio Project, $4,000
• City of Cresco, Fire Department - Turn Out Extractor, $6,000
• City of Cresco, Police Department - National Night Out 2020, $2,500
• City of Lime Springs, Fire Department - Air Pack Replacement, $15,000
• City of Riceville, Fire Department - Water Rescue Capacity Upgrade, $10,000
• Cresco Quilts of Valor, Quilts of Valor, $3,000
• Firefighters of Elma, Air Pack Bottle Project, $3,000
• Friends of the Family, Housing Stability, $1,500
• Helping Services for Youth & Families, Youth Mentoring at Helping Services, $1,454
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Mobile Food Pantry, $5,000
• Riceville Community Daycare, Infant Room Enhancement Project, $1,300
• Riceville Community Foundation, Elf Shop, $1,500
• Riverview Center, Howard County Sexual Assault Crisis Response Toolkit, $2,325

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Howard County. Committee members include: Alice Back, Kristen Burke, Rosalie Christensen, Brooke Cray, Becky Fritcher, Elaine Govern, Ronda Hughes (chair), Ryan Manske, Carla Moser, Kip Powers, Shirley Sovereign and Jim Zajicek.

Grants are awarded through Howard County Community Foundation’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of: art and culture, community betterment, education, environment, health, historic preservation and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Howard County in order to be considered for funding. The 2021 grant cycle opens December 1, 2020 with an application deadline of January 31, 2021. The grant guidelines and application will be posted prior to the cycle opening at www.howardccf.org.