Tama County Community Foundation Distributes Over $160,000 to Local Nonprofit Organizations

Tama County Community Foundation

April 6, 2023

The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) held its 2023 grant awards celebration at the Traer Memorial Building on April 5, announcing the distribution of $160,094.42 to 34 projects of organizations serving Tama County through its 2023 grant cycle.

“The Tama County Community Foundation is proud to support these organizations as they work to create stronger communities for everyone across our county,” said Sara Forrester, chair of the TCCF committee.

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

Arts & Culture

• Dysart Historical Society, Dysart Sesquicentennial History Book Update, $2,000
• Toledo Library Foundation, Maker Space for Creative Projects, $2,684
• Traer Historical Museum, Bright Lights, $8,990
• Wieting Opera Housing Company, Event Space Kitchen, $4,650

Community Betterment

• Amvets Post 10 Lincoln, Lincoln AMVET Hall Dining Room, $6,300
• City of Chelsea, Fire Department - Front Door, $5,575
• City of Chelsea, Library - Community Kitchen/Operation Potluck, $4,529
• City of Clutier, Library - Books and Publications, $4,000
• City of Gladbrook, Fire Department - Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan, $2,500
• City of Tama, Civic Center - Rehab Project, $3,430
• City of Toledo, Parks & Recreation - Toledo Heights Park & Shelter, $10,000
• City of Toledo, Police Department - Individual First Aide Kits for Officers, $1,795
• City of Traer, Traer Memorial Building - Seating Upgrades, $6,000
• Vining Volunteer Fire Department, SCBA Air Pack Update, $13,000

Education & Youth Development

• Al Exito, Al Exito Tama: Student Success Tama, $4,150
• City of Gladbrook, Library - Playaway Launchpads For Youth, $1,825
• Crayon Corner Learning Center, Playground Improvement - Phase 2, $1,596
• Iowa College Access Network, Raising Attainment Levels in Education & the Workforce, $2,500
• North Tama County Community School District, Student Health and Hygiene - Laundry Facilities, $2,210
• Pied Piper Preschool and Child Care, Lighting Update, $8,000
• Tama County 4-H, Kids in the Kitchen, $1,660

Environment & Animal Welfare

• City of Dysart, Tree Board - Nature Preserve Access Walkway, $2,000
• N-Compass, Iowa Project AWARE 2023, $3,000
• Tama County Humane Society, Spay/Neuter Funding, $4,473.42

Health

• City of Tama, Administration - AED in Public Buildings, $5,820
• Elberon Fire and Rescue Association, Power Loader Cot for Ambulance, $5,000
• Iowa River Hospice, Day of Care, $6,500
• Tama County ISU Extension & Outreach Office, Gardening With Seniors II, $2,907

Human Service

• Central Iowa Residential Services, Tama Opportunity Center and Tama County Consumer Needs, $2,500
• Families Helping Families of Iowa, Program Support for Tama County Youth in Foster Care, $2,500
• Lutheran Services in Iowa, Healthy Families America Tama County, $3,000
• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Tama County Congregate and Home Delivered Meals, $5,000
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Feeding Communities, $15,000
• Traer United Presbyterian Church, Christian Hands Across Traer (CHAT), $5,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Tama County. Committee members include: Gloria Fonseca, Sara Forrester (chair), Dixie Forcht, Darvin Graham, Melanie Kemper and Chris Schafer.

Grants are awarded through TCCF’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 Tama County in order to be considered for funding. More information about the TCCF can be found at www.tamaccf.org.