March 28, 2024

Jasper Community Foundation announces grant recipients

Jasper Community Foundation president Dan Skokan announced Tuesday 21 area non-profit organizations received grants this year through the state-sponsored County Endowment Program.

“I am pleased to announce that the Foundation awarded $87,759 in grants this year,” Skokan said. “These grant funds will provide much needed financial support for a variety of important programs and services in Jasper County.”

A total of 32 proposals were received from educational, municipal and non-profit organizations throughout Jasper County. All submitted grant proposals were reviewed by the Jasper Community Foundation Board.

“Each year, we make an effort to fund a wide variety of programs that touch residents all over the county,” Skokan said. “This year, we reviewed many new requests from organizations that have not previously sought funding from the Foundation. And because of this we were able to make grants in a variety of areas, including human services, education, recreation, arts and culture (and) community vitality.”

The Foundation awarded grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to new or enhanced, innovative programs to address needs or issues within Jasper County. The 21 organizations receiving funding through this program are:

• Baxter Early Learning Center — New roof for Center

• Baxter Federated Garden Club — Planting and edging around City sign

• Big Brothers Big Sisters — School Based Mentoring program

• Clearview Recovery Center — Reception area updates

• Colfax Community Preschool — Quality improvements

• Colfax Public Library — WiFi Lounge

• Colfax-Mingo High School — 7-12 Library updates

• Inspirations Childcare & Preschool Center — Kitchen updates

• Iowa Sculpture Festival — Wind-resistant signage for Festival

• Jasper County Agricultural Society — Livestock scales

• Jasper County Animal Rescue League — Building improvements

• Jasper County Conservation — Ashton Wildwood Park playground

• Kid Assist of Jasper County — Adaptive bicycles

• Lynnville-Sully Schools — Family literacy initiative

• Newton Community Schools — NHS Fitness room updates

• Newton Community Theatre, Inc. — LED stage projector and screen

• Newton Public Library — Laptop computers

• Newton YMCA — Recreational diving board replacement

• Prairie City Park Board — Community Park Healthy Way Fitness Zone

• Progress Industries — Kitchen training center, Phase II

• Rock Creek Lake Alliance — Recycling bins for Rock Creek State Park

The County Endowment Fund, established by the Iowa General Assembly in 2004, made the funds for these grants possible. The fund’s purpose is to promote charitable giving and philanthropy within the state.

The Jasper Community Foundation was established in 1997 for the purpose of receiving tax deductible bequests and gifts in the form of cash or property from individuals, corporations and other organizations that have an interest in improving the quality of life for people residing in Jasper County. The Foundation assists arts and culture, economic development, education, environment and recreation, health and human services organizations, and other high-impact projects and programs throughout the county.