(Omaha, NE) – Officials with the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, today (Friday), announced applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Audubon and Cass Counties. As part of this fall grant cycle, $29,940 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects, and $45,420 is available to support Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects. The deadline to apply for funds in each respective county, through the online application process, is September 1st.

Of the total allocated funds in Cass County, $4,000 is restricted to the community of Griswold, and $25,940 is available to support nonprofit organizations and projects throughout the county.  Of the total allocated funds in Audubon County, $2,375 is restricted to the Exira area, $5,060 is designated for the community of Audubon, and $37,985 is available to support projects throughout the county.

Beginning July 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting either Audubon County or Cass County, under County Listing at swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County and Cass County are eligible to apply, and only in their respective counties. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project. For the Fall 2023 grants, the Audubon and Cass County Community Foundations will entertain requests for capital and program support. General operating support will only be considered for extenuating, non-recurring circumstances.

The Community Foundations aim to improve the quality of life in Audubon and Cass Counties, by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a lasting impact. These grant funds are made possible by the generosity of the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundation donors. To learn more about donating to either the Audubon or Cass County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Audubon or Cass County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Audubon County Community Foundation Board members: Chair Pat Kaiser of Audubon; Vice Chair Gina Benton of Exira; Secretary/Treasurer Megan Wagner of Audubon; Bob Blomme of Audubon; Travis Nelson of Exira; Donna Olson of Kimballton, and Doug Carter of Audubon. Cass County Community Foundation Board members: 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.

Please contact Sunni Kamp (sunni@omahafoundation.org) or Sydney Calcagno (sydney@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October.