Community Foundation Increases Awards

On January 6, 2006, the Community Foundation of Johnson County completed its 2005 Grants by awarding funds to 42 local nonprofit organizations. The grant amount represents an increase of 65% over 2004 grants.

“We are very excited to have increased our total grant amount for 2005,” stated Dean Price, President of the Community Foundation. “We hope to continue that trend in the year to come, to meet the various needs in our communities,” Price added.

The $107,827 in grants and scholarships were awarded from donor-advised, organizational and special interest funds. Grants were made to the Downtown Association, Riverside Theatre, Young Footliters, The James Gang, Justice for Our Neighbors, Junior Achievement, Workplace Learning Connection, Iowa Children’s Museum, Johnson County Historical Society, Friends of Springmier Library, Grant Wood and Helen Lemme PTO/PTA programs, the Arc of Johnson County, Big Brothers / Big Sisters, Extend the Dream Foundation, Goodwill Industries, Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship, Housing Trust Fund, Emma Goldman Clinic, Handicare, Iowa Legal Aid, Johnson County Defibrillation Task Force, AARP, Friends of Historic Preservation and Miracles in Motion. The Coldren Home Fund supplied funds to Table to Table, Elderly Services and East Central Iowa Foster Grandparents programming. The Opportunity Fund granted to Domestic Violence Intervention Project, Horace Mann and North Liberty Family Resource Centers, Neighborhood Center and United Action for Youth.

Brett Seelman and Shaun Kinney, students from Clear Creek Amana High School received agricultural scholarships from the Chamber of Commerce Fund within the Community Foundation.

In major developments for 2005, the Community Foundation of Johnson County reached a new milestone by surpassing the $2 million mark in assets. Another exciting development was the growth of the Matching Fund for Community Development. Awards from this fund went to Lone Tree, Swisher and Oxford, Iowa as matching grants to their community funds.

“Our granting capacity increased this year because the economy strengthened and our donor base grew,” said Mike Stoffregen, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “The Community Foundation also benefited from the Endow Iowa 20% state tax credits made available by the State of Iowa for donors contributing to long term endowment programs.” Stoffregen commented.

For more information, contact Mike Stoffregen.