Nicholas Hunt, Chair of the Cass County Community Foundation, has announce that grants totaling $116,841.19 were awarded Friday to Cass County nonprofit agencies that had submitted applications to the Cass County Community Foundation by the February 1st deadline. The following are received grant funds from the Cass County Community Foundation Advisory Board:

• Anita Child Care Center – $1,000 to Replace Equipment and Furnishings
• Anita Health and Wellness Center – $1,500 forWeight Room Heat
• Anita Shooting Complex – $1,000 for Parking Lot Improvements
• Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center – $8,000 to make Safety Repairs for a Parking Lot
• Atlantic Rock Island Society (ARISE) – $10,000 to Replace Rock Island Depot Windows
• Atlantic Soccer Association – $8,000 to purchase Goals for the Soccer Complex
• Atlantic Youth Sports Organization – $6,000 for Focus 2019.
• Cass County Health System Foundation – $4,000 for the OB Bundle.
• Cass County Historical Society – $5,341.19 for Building Renovations.
• Cumberland Public Library – $4,000 for New Windows and Computer Equipment.
• Cumberland Youth Fitness Program – $5,000 for Exercise Equipment.
• Friends of the Griswold Public Library – $5,000 to build a Meeting Room.
• Friends of the Outdoor Classroom – $4,000 for Wetlands Enhancement.
• Griswold Rescue Department – $5,000 for Vacuum Splint Kits.
• Griswold Volunteer Fire Department – $3,000 for Equipment.
• Griswold Youth Sports – $5,000 for Infield Leveling.
• Lewis Public Library – $2,000 for a Fire Proof Book Drop.
• Marne Firefighter and Rescue Association – $6,000 for PPE Equipment.
• Massena Fire and Rescue – $4,000 for Equipment.
• Massena Public Library – $1,000 for Book Shelves and Furniture.
• Nishna Valley Family YMCA – $19,000 for the North Gym Air Handler Replacement.
• Nishna Valley Trails – $9,000 for the Schildberg Shelter and Informational Gazebo.
  

  Nonprofit representatives receiving grant awards (left to right): 1st row: Nicholas Hunt, Cass County Community Foundation Advisory Board Chair; Kathryn Russell, Anita Health and Wellness Center; Marla Anstey, Friends of the Outdoor Classroom; Darby McLaren, Atlantic Youth Sports Organization; 2nd row: Kristi Burg; Anita Child Care Center; Linda Eilts, Massena Public Library; Anieta Gregory, Cass County Historical Society; 3rd row: Dianna Williams, Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center; Dawn Marnin and Brett Altman, Cass County Health System Foundation; Katherine Becker, Cumberland Youth Fitness Program; Faith Beebe, Friends of the Griswold Public Library and Lewis Public Library; 4th row: Steve Livengood and Bob Boots, Atlantic Rock Island Society (ARISE); Dave Chase, Nishna Valley Trails; Mark Andersen, Atlantic Soccer Association; Dan Haynes, Nishna Valley Family YMCA; 5th row: Roland Landsness, Cass County Community Foundation Advisory Board Secretary/Treasurer. (photo submitted)

All grantees met the criteria as Cass County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services. Only organizations providing services in Cass County were eligible. During brief check distribution activities, Hunt commended the nonprofit agencies for their individual efforts to provide a better quality of life for the residents of Cass County. The Cass County Community Foundation, as an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation and member of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, receives funds annually from the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program for endowment building and grantmaking throughout the county. Created in 2004, the County Endowment Fund Program is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue. These funds are distributed annually to participating community foundations and affiliate community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.

Beyond the County Endowment Fund Program, the Cass County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create permanent funds that address changing, vital community needs and interests. Donating to a permanently endowed fund helps your neighbors today AND you help build a stronger community tomorrow. Not only that, you may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit for each donation, in addition to any Federal tax benefits for which you may qualify.

The Cass County Community Foundation invests and administers these funds and distributes grants to deserving, qualified nonprofit organizations. “This has grown from an annual event to twice a year, with one grant cycle in the spring and another in the fall,” said Nick Hunt. Board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Nicholas Hunt of rural Atlantic; Vice Chair, Gary Maas of Anita; Secretary/Treasurer, Roland K. Landsness, Esq. of Atlantic; Royal Bierbaum of Griswold; John Curry of Massena; and Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic.