Officials with the Southwest Iowa Foundation report the Audubon and Cass County Community Foundations are happy to announce that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing separate charitable services in Audubon and Cass County, respectively. As part of this spring grant cycle, approximately $90,000 is available to support nonprofit organizations and community projects in each County. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is February 1, 2021.

Beginning December 15th, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting your respective County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Made possible through the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program, this cycle of grants is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license. Only organizations providing services in Audubon and/or Cass County are eligible to apply. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project.

Both the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations aim to improve the quality of life in their respective Counties, by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact on, and in, both counties. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, for Spring 2021, the two Community Foundations will entertain requests for program and operating support, in addition to the historic focus on items of permanence.

Please contact Stacey Goodman (stacey@omahafoundation.org) or Tess Houser (tess@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the March board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of March.

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Board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are Chair, Genelle Deist of Audubon; Vice Chair, Joel Hoegh of rural Brayton; Secretary/Treasurer, Megan Wagner of Audubon; Gina Benton of Exira, Bob Blomme of Audubon; Steven B. Hansen of Audubon; and Donna Olson of Kimballton.

Board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice Chair, Gary Maas of Anita; Secretary/Treasurer, Roland K. Landsness, Esq. of Atlantic; Royal Bierbaum of Griswold; Sue Hunt of Atlantic; and Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic.