Photos of Pileated Woodpecker and Saw Whet Owl courtesy of Tom Moon. 

The Prairie Rapids Audubon Society (PRAS) has established two funds with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA) to support the organization’s mission of bird and nature education, conservation, and habitat restoration.

The Prairie Rapids Audubon Society Endowment Fund is a permanent endowment fund, meaning the fund is invested and grows over time, providing a long-term, stable source of income to carry out the mission of the organization. The Prairie Rapids Audubon Society Quasi Endowment Fund is also invested but allows for increased flexibility to access funds when needed.

Prairie Rapids Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging the public in education about birds, increasing awareness of birding, and conserving and restoring natural habitat for the benefit of both people and the biological diversity of the earth. Through monthly meetings, guest speakers, and outreach, PRAS provides a strong educational component and promotes stewardship of nature.

"These funds were set up so that we could sustain the community and educational activities of the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society for perpetuity,” said Connie Svoboda, Board Member of PRAS.

Financial gifts to the endowment and quasi endowment funds of cash, check and stock are accepted through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613. Checks to the endowment fund should be made payable to the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society Endowment Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at www.cfneia.org/donations/pras-endowment. Gifts to the endowment fund are eligible to receive a 25% state tax credit through the Endow Iowa program, www.cfneia.org/endowiowa.

Checks to the quasi endowment fund should be made payable to the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society Quasi Endowment Fund. Gifts to the quasi endowment fund can also be made online at www.cfneia.org/donations/pras-quasi. Donors to the quasi fund can take advantage of normal federal deductions for charitable gifts.

Questions about giving to the funds may be directed to Paula Hill, Charitable Advisor at CFNEIA, at 319-243-1352 or phill@cfneia.org.

More information about the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society and its work can be found on its website gopras.org. Information about the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa can be found at CFNEIA.org.