Officials with the Empowering Adair County Foundation (EACF) report grant funds totaling $84,457.84 for are available for application, with the deadline set for October 15, 2020.  EACF says the grant amount is down 17% from last year’s funding amount, due to Iowa’s casinos shutting down as the result of Covid-19.

Less gambling receipts impacts the amount distributed to counties in Iowa without gaming operations. EACF will accept grant applications not to exceed $10,000. However, for the first time, EACF has created a new simple, one-page application form for grant asks not exceeding $3,000. The original long application forms for larger grant requests, along with the new one-page application forms can be found on the Adair County ISU Extension’s website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/adair (scroll down the home page to find EACF information and links for forms).

Due to the decrease in granting funds, the EACF Committee may not be able to grant total amounts requested. Grant applications are scored and reviewed on the following criteria:

• Completeness of Application
• Benefit to Adair County Residents
• Support of Entrepreneurial Activity, Community and Leadership Development
• and Identification and Addressing of Community Needs.

Once the applications are scored, the Committee’s funding recommendations are sent to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines (EACF’s affiliate) for final approval of grant disbursements. There is one annual grant cycle with an October 15th application deadline. For more information, visit the website or contact Deena Wells, Adair County Extension at 641-743-8412 or email dwells@iastate.edu.

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EACF was formed in 2005 to coordinate and provide philanthropic support for community betterment and to enhance the quality of life for communities in Adair County. The Foundation is governed by a 9-member board representing all areas of Adair County. EACF has funded $1,410,487.92 in projects and programs in Adair County in the past 14 years.