About Your Foundation

Our History

The Community Foundation of Johnson County was founded in 2000 by visionary community leaders such as Willard L. “Sandy” Boyd, Dick Schwab, Joan Benson, and others who believed that by bringing together passionate, generous people from all walks of life to meet the needs of the community, all of our residents would benefit. This belief still holds true as we work to continue our founders’ legacy of giving by connecting those who care with those who need.

From an initial gift of $400,000 made by Dick Schwab and Katherine Burford on December 1, 2000, the Community Foundation has grown to oversee nearly $50 million in charitable assets and has distributed more than $26 million in grants to nonprofit organizations.  We also support more than 220 nonprofit organizations, family and business charitable giving funds, community endowment funds, and charitable giving circles benefitting all of Johnson County.

By giving through the Community Foundation, you make a personal and conscious decision to uplift others. We are honored to be your partner in philanthropy, helping you to be more, do more, and give more. We are your trusted giving resource, providing diligent stewardship that allows your generosity to have an impact for generations to come.

Members of the 2022 Community Foundation of Johnson County Board of Directors: (back row L-R) LaTasha DeLoach, Dean Price, Jason Wagner, Laura Bergus, Cathy Pugh, Sherri Furman, Thais Winkleblack, Mary Westbrook, (front row L-R) Nick Hatz, Jaime Watts, Todd Jacobson, Bruce Teague, and Dave Bluder.

Mission

Connecting communities who care

with causes that matter to support

sustainable change.

Vision

To be the trusted leader of charitable giving;

supporting donors, nonprofit organizations,

and our communities.

What is a Community Foundation?

A Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization established to serve a specific geographic region.  Your Community Foundation builds funds to support community needs, with a focus on creating endowment funds for the long-term benefit of local charitable projects and programs. We are a trusted charitable resource for individuals, families, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and professional advisors working to build local philanthropy. Donors of all means use our giving opportunities to make a lasting difference in our communities.

Our Community Foundation is the grant-making charity of choice for people who seek to change the world by making an immediate and lasting impact in their own backyard. By giving through the Community Foundation of Johnson County donors support the arts, culture, and humanities; education, health and human services; environmental and animal protection; public and societal benefit. Donors may give to existing funds or establish their own. Endowments may qualify for the Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

The Community Foundation of Johnson County helps donors turn their passion into action. We manage charitable assets using investment strategies tailored to the financial needs, philanthropic priorities, and passionate interests of our donors. Our expertise in philanthropic planning and in-depth knowledge of community issues and nonprofit management helps donor funds go further. Each year, our donors support nearly 200 different causes and charities in Johnson County.