Winnebago County Community Foundation Awards Over $147,145 in 2024 Grants to 24 County Projects

Winnebago County Community Foundation

July 15, 2024

The Winnebago County Community Foundation (WCCF) held its grant awards celebration at the Heritage Town Center in Buffalo Center on July 15, announcing the distribution of $147,145 to 24 projects of organizations serving Winnebago County through its 2024 grant cycle.

“There are so many fantastic things happening in Winnebago County and the Winnebago County Community Foundation is honored to be able to help make some of these efforts possible through grantmaking,” said Alicea Porter, chair of the WCCF committee.

The 2024 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

• Winnebago County Fair Association – New Exhibit Hall – $10,000

Community Betterment

• City of Buffalo Center – Pickleball Committee, Pickleball/Tennis Court - $10,000
• City of Lake Mills – Police Department, K-9 Program - $5,000
• City of Leland – Chlorine Gas Detection Unit - $3,670
• City of Scarville – Fire Department, Plumbing and Heating Update - $1,000
• City of Thompson – Library Expansion - $5,000
• Friends of the Firemen – Jaws of Life, Extrication - $6,000
• Scarville Firemen’s Association – Fire Station Equipment & Furnishings - $5,000

Education & Youth Development

• American Legion Post 21 – Scouts, Trailer and Equipment - $9,000
• Lake Mills Community Schools – Character Strong Curriculum - $2,000
• Lake Mills Family Center – Baby Room Update - $3,900
• North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom – Agriculture Education for Winnebago County 
• Schools - $5,000               
• North Iowa Community Schools – 5^th Day Childcare Support - $5,000

Environment & Animal Welfare 

• Winnebago County – Sheriff’s Office, K-9 - $7,500

Health

• City of Buffalo Center – BCVAC, Update Pagers - $11,475
• City of Buffalo Center – Clinic Committee, X-Ray Machine - $25,000
• Forest City Ambulance Service – AEDs - $2,750
• Timely Mission Nursing Home – Laundry Facility - $5,000
• Winnebago County EMS – Fire Station Living Area - $5,500

Human Service

• Duncan Heights, Inc. – Vehicle Tire Replacements - $1,100
• Families Helping Families of Iowa – Program Support for Foster Youth - $3,500
• Food Bank of Iowa – Fighting Childhood Hunger in Winnebago County - $5,000
• North Iowa Food for Families – Food Pantry - $5,000
• YSS of North Iowa – Bedroom Basics - $4,750

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Winnebago County. Committee members include Loren Ehrich, Tina Henely, Brad Jones, Connor Kem, Jennifer Kramersmeier, Marty Pins, Alicea Porter, Diane Price, Robert Sarver, and Ashley Throne.

Grants are awarded through WCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Winnebago County in order to be considered for funding. More information about the WCCF can be found at www.winnebagoccf.org/