(Atlantic, Iowa) – At its second annual grant celebration event, the Cass County Community Foundation honored 35 nonprofit organizations and community projects that received grants throughout the past year. These honorees included grant recipients from both Spring and Fall 2022 grant cycles who were awarded a collective sum of $170,155. Throughout 2022, the Foundation received a total of 50 grant applications from community organizations, with more than $325,000 requested. As a part of its two grant cycles, the Cass County Community Foundation awarded $170,155 to 44 of these 50 applications. (Click on the images to enlarge)

Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

Fall 2022 Grant Recipients:

Board Chair Kristi Burg said “In 2022, we’ve been able to fund a wide array of projects and programs. Grants were awarded to support construction and renovation, recreational opportunities, and many more projects that will have a positive effect on our community members—both young and old. We’re proud of the impact of the Foundation, and we’re glad to have this opportunity to celebrate the important work of these organizations throughout Cass County.”

Each year, the Cass County Community Foundation holds two grant cycles with the objective of funding projects that will have a lasting impact in the county. Iowa Foundations Director Sunni Kamp said “Since the Foundation was established in 1998, it has infused more than $2.6 million in grants and scholarships to support organizations and individuals across the county. This speaks to the generous, philanthropic spirit of our communities. With the support of our donors, charitable funds allocated through the community foundation, and our participation in the County Endowment Fund Program, we can continue to invest valuable resources back into projects and initiatives throughout Cass County.”

The Cass County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, which meets National Standards for Community Foundations, and is one of nine county members of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa. Each year it receives funds from the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program for endowment building and grantmaking throughout the county. The spring cycle of grants is made possible through the County Endowment Fund Program and is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.

The Foundation’s fall grant cycle is made possible through the generosity of donors to the Cass County Community Foundation. The Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create permanent and expendable funds that address changing, vital community needs and interests. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Cass County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Advisory board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice Chair, Gaylord Schelling of Atlantic; Secretary/Treasurer, Sue Hunt of Atlantic; Sandy Bierbaum of Griswold; Justin D. Hockenberry of Anita; and Mike Tibken of Anita.