Tama County Community Foundation Distributes $137,324 to Local Organizations

Tama County Community Foundation

March 27, 2020

The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) announced $137,324 in grant funding to 34 projects of organizations serving Tama 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 Tama County Community Foundation is proud to partner with these nonprofits who are making a difference in our local communities,” said Emily Babinat, chair of the TCCF 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 Tama County.”

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

Art and Culture

• City of Traer, Traer Theatre Improvements, $4,000
• Iowa 4-H Foundation DBA Tama County 4-H, Tama County 4-H Outreach, $1,000
• Toledo Library Foundation, Spanish Materials for our Community, $1,500

Community Betterment

• City of Chelsea, Library – Kitchenette, $1,500
• City of Dysart, Library - Technology Update Project, $3,000
• City of Tama, City Hall - Handicap Accessible Doors, $2,500
• City of Toledo, South Tama County Joint Recreation Board, $2,000
• City of Traer, Chamber of Commerce - Christmas Display Storage , $2,000
• Tama County Humane Society, Ceramic Tile Flooring, $2,100

Education

• Wieting Opera Housing Company, STEAM Challenge Camps for Children, $2,250

Environment

• Tama County, Conservation Board - Otter Creek Lake Restoration Phase I, $10,000

Health

• City of Garwin, Ambulance Service - AED, $2,954
• Iowa River Hospice, Day of Care, $5,000

Historic Preservation

• Tama County Historical Society, Gladbrook and Dysart Historical Newspaper Digitization, $1,000
• Western Fraternal Life, Clutier ZCBJ Hall Building Renovations, $10,000

Human Service

• Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support, Tama County Victim Services, $3,000
• Central Iowa Residential Services, Tama Opportunity Center and Tama County Client Needs, $2,000
• Child Abuse Prevention Services, Sexual Abuse Prevention, $1,210
• City of Garwin, Multi-Use Fire and Ambulance Building, $3,000
• City of Gladbrook, Fire Department - Thermal Image Camera, $1,000
• City of Tama, Fire Department - Safety/Emergency Lights, $4,300
• City of Tama, Police Department - Officer Safety and Wellness, $4,000
• City of Toledo, Fire Department - Turnout Gear, $10,000
• City of Toledo, Police Department - Computers, $5,000
• City of Traer, Fire Department - Firefighter In-Mask Thermal Imaging, $5,000
• Crayon Corner Learning Center, Technology Upgrade, $1,340
• Little Knights Learning Center, A New Facility for a Future Generation, $10,000
• North Star Community Services, Providing Community Access, $3,000
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Produce and Perishable Distribution, $4,000
• Pied Piper Preschool and Child Care, Furnaces and Air Conditioners, $8,570
• Tama County, Human Resources - AED Heart Program, $5,100
• Tama County Daycare Kids' Corner, Safety Sun Shades, $10,000
• Traer United Presbyterian Church, Christian Hands Across Traer, $2,000
• Zion Lutheran Church WELCA, WELCA Home and Health Closet, $4,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Tama County. Committee members include: Emily Babinat (chair), Ardene Cross, Kathy Fattig, Sara Forrester, Darvin Graham, Mary Ann Gregory, Angie Jacobs, Sandi Kopriva and Sandy Supianoski.

Grants are awarded through Tama 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 Tama County in order to be considered for funding. The 2021 grant cycle opens November 1, 2020 with an application deadline of January 15, 2021. The grant guidelines and application will be posted prior to the cycle opening at www.tamaccf.org.