The Chairpersons for the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations, both  countywide community foundations, have announced that the fall grant program is now beginning for non-profit organizations in the separate, respective counties.  The deadline to apply for funds through the online grant application process is September 1st.  In Cass County, $27,800 was allocated for the fall grant cycle. In Audubon County, $39,000 is available.

Of the Cass County funds, $2,500 is from the Griswold Community Development Endowed Fund, and $500 is from the Triumph Endowed Fund for Cass County. Of the funds available in Audubon County, approximately $2,000 comes from the Leon and Iva Milliman Endowed Fund for the Exira area, $2,500 is from the Charles T. and Kathleen K. Manatt Endowed Fund, $650 is from the Audubon State Bank/Stephen Garst Endowed Fund, $1,000 is for the City of Audubon from the Audubon Masonic Association Endowed Fund, $450 is for the City of Audubon from the Fred and Evelyn Nissen Endowed Fund for Audubon, and $450 is for the City of Audubon from the Merle and Norma Petersen Endowed Fund.

In both counties, Foundation grant dollars will be awarded for a single year. The mission of the Community Foundation grants and programs, is to participate in funding community betterment projects and nonprofit organizations who have similar objectives.  The goals are to improve the quality of life in the county by supporting needs that are not being met in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social service.  The objective is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact for the counties that people can take advantage of for many years.

Only organizations providing services in Cass County or Audubon County are eligible (in their respective counties, only).  They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and supply a copy of their 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter.  Requests for general operational funds will not be considered.  The mission is to provide funds to those nonprofit and governmental agencies that are involved in community betterment through their organizations.

After July 15^th, application procedures and grant guidelines will be available online at www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/casscef (for Cass County) or www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/auduboncef (for Audubon County).   Click on the Grant Information tab or contact any board member for additional information.  Detailed instructions are provided in a downloadable form, as well as a link to the online application.  Only online applications will be considered.

Community Foundations in Southwest Iowa are particularly attractive charities because donations to these funds may be eligible for a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit. Contact Dennis Nissen or Denise Cardos at 800-794-3458 with grant application specific questions.   All completed applications will be considered at the October board meeting with notification of results the end of October.