The Buchanan County Community Foundation (BCCF) held its grant awards celebration at the Independence Library on July 31, announcing the distribution of $158,553.51 to 16 projects of organizations serving Buchanan County through its 2025 grant cycle.

The 2025 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by funding area.

Community Betterment

• City of Fairbank – Veterans Park Shelter Upgrade – $20,000.00
• City of Independence – Fire Department - Extrication Equipment – $10,000.00
• City of Lamont – Scout Park Revitalization – $10,000.00
• City of Winthrop – Fire Department - Jaws of Life Replacement – $20,000.00
• Hazleton Veterans Park – Veterans Park Improvement – $10,000.00
• Winthrop Commercial and Community Club – Storage Space – $4,000.00

Education & Youth Development

• Independence Community School District – High School - Library Update – $6,500.00
• Jesup Community School District – High School - Hope Squad – $3,500.00
• Jesup Community School District – Jesup ELC Playground – $20,000.00
• Northeast Iowa Workforce Development Board – Work Task Kits for Career-Connected Learning – $5,891.50

Environment & Animal Welfare

• Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary – Dog Building/Dog Yard – $3,000.00

Human Service

• Independence Area Food Pantry – Food for Neighbors – $10,000.00
• Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity – Critical Home Repairs – $15,000.00
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank – Feeding Communities – $12,000.00
• Operation Threshold, Inc. – Buchanan County Crisis Assistance Program – $7,162.01
• Riverview Center, Inc. – Helping Survivors of Trauma Heal and Thrive – $1,500.00

Grants were recommended by the Buchanan County Community Foundation’s governing committee, composed of volunteers committed to improving the well-being of Buchanan County residents. The 2025 governing committee includes: Whitney Benter, Nate Clayberg, Mary Donlea, Jean Gallmeyer, James Gilliespie, Denise Lehman, Rob Ratchford, Valerie Stanford, and Melissa Trumbauer. BCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Edna Mae and Don Adams Community Impact Fund.

Special recognition was given to Denise Lehman for her service as she transitions off the committee.

BCCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, which provides administrative investment, and technical support to enhance the local foundation’s impact. The 2026 BCCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2026, with a deadline of April 15, 2026. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.buchananccf.org.