(Atlantic & Audubon, Iowa) –  Officials with the Omaha Community Foundation report their affiliate foundations in Cass and Audubon Counties are now accepting Spring Grant applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Audubon and (separately) Cass Counties. As part of this spring grant cycle, approximately $135,000 is available to support Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects, and approximately $135,000 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects, in each county, respectively. The deadline to apply for funds in either county, through the online application process, is February 1, 2024.

Beginning December 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 the County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Both the Audubon and Cass County Community Foundations aim to improve the quality of life in their respective 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 in Audubon and Cass Counties. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County or Cass County are eligible to apply in their respective county, only. 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.

This cycle of grants is made possible through the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program (CEFP). The Audubon County Community Foundation received $158,914 in 2023 from its participation in this program. The Cass County Community Foundation received $158,914. Most of the funds are available as part of the Spring 2024 Grant Cycle, with the rest held in an endowment for future years.

Created in 2004 by the Iowa Legislature, the County Endowment Fund Program is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which currently does not include online sports betting revenue. These funds are distributed annually to participating community foundations located in the 84 counties without a state-issued gaming license. The 15 counties with a state-issued gaming license benefit from their local casino’s Qualified Sponsoring Organization, which distributes a portion of gaming revenues in their area. CEFP was designed by the Legislature to ensure the benefits of gaming tax revenues were felt statewide.

In the 84 CEFP counties, 75 percent of each county’s annual allocation is directed to foundation grantmaking activities for that year, and 25 percent is added to their permanent endowment fund, which provides support for nonprofits now and in perpetuity.  This two-pronged approach has provided thousands of dollars for local projects each year, plus ensured a savings account for future needs.

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

*Advisory board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are 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.

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