Across Northeast Iowa, the power of community is driven by people who care deeply about where they live, and choose to take action.

At the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, local decision-making, local giving, and local volunteering come together through our Volunteer Impact Committees. These committees are made up of dedicated community members who thoughtfully review grant applications and help guide where funding goes, ensuring local dollars are invested in the people, programs, and priorities that matter most right here at home.

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, we're proud to highlight a couple of the individuals behind this important work. Through this Q&A, you'll hear directly from our volunteers about what inspires them, what they've learned, and why giving their time to their community matters.

Meet Robyn Kofoot, Franklin County Community Foundation
Robyn shares how volunteering has shaped her perspective and why investing in her community’s future is so important:

How has your time volunteering on the committee helped you better understand your community?
By serving on this committee, I’ve been able to see how our community leaders are our partners in helping to build up our community. They do a great job of sharing their stories, along with their needs, and through that, we’re able to have a better awareness of what they’re doing to improve and expand on fantastic resources.

What makes your county unique or special to you?
Franklin County has been home to my family for so many generations and I feel that in order for that to continue, we have to invest ourselves in great things happening now and build on them for the future. If we let that slide, our kids will find other places with more opportunities.

What would you tell other people who might think about becoming a volunteer committee member?
I think it’s a valuable use of your time. This committee works hard to really do the best for each town in Franklin County. Every year we make sure that each dollar makes a difference.

Why do you think community foundations are important for towns like yours?
They provide incredible support and opportunities that rural areas just don’t have otherwise. So many projects wouldn’t happen without this support.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Volunteering is a huge piece of my personal life and our family- it’s incredibly important that our kids learn to give back without financial gain. This has been a great committee to serve on.

Meet Melissa Jones, Floyd County Community Foundation
Melissa highlights the power of local organizations and the fulfillment that comes from supporting them:

How has your time volunteering on the committee helped you better understand your community?
By volunteering with the Floyd County Community Foundation I have gained a deeper knowledge of all the impactful organizations throughout the entire county. There are so many groups serving our residents that may not typically receive spotlight for their actions, and it's wonderful to be able to assist them in their efforts through granting dollars.

What makes your county unique or special to you?
There are strong connections to the Arts, through galleries, museums, and more, throughout Floyd County and it is very special to have that in rural areas where they are often not present.

What has been the most rewarding part of serving on the committee?
The most rewarding part of serving on the foundation committee is seeing local organizations get access to much-needed funding for special projects that otherwise may not have had the dollars to move forward.

How does volunteering with the foundation fit into your life personally or professionally?
Volunteering with the Floyd County Community Foundation felt like exactly the right fit for the way in which I wanted to serve my county. Prior to joining, I had a strong desire to serve the area but was lost on what organization would best fit my skills and background. Finding the foundation felt like a breath of fresh air and one that would allow me to utilize my strengths while having a broad impact on many individuals through the wonderful dedication of area organizations.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Being a part of the foundation is immensely fulfilling, especially when you consider how many people come together to make this all possible. It's not just the foundation's volunteers, but also the people who serve area organizations in planning projects and writing grants, and beyond that, the individuals who donate the funds that allow us to make these projects possible.

The impact you see across our communities doesn't happen by chance, it happens because of people who choose to get involved.

If you're inspired by these stories and interested in volunteering, we invite you to submit a self-interest form here.

And if you believe in the power of local giving, where decisions are made by people who know and love their communities, you can support this work by making a gift to your county's Impact Now Fund.

Together, through local giving, local decisions, and local action, we can continue to build stronger, more vibrant communities for all.