Try Pie, a teen employment and empowerment program based in the Cedar Valley, has established the Try Pie Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. This fund will support the long-term sustainability of Try Pie’s mission to equip young women with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Try Pie offers high school girls from Waterloo and Cedar Falls their first paid job experience through a unique program that combines employment, job readiness training, financial literacy education, and personal development. Participants are not only trained in bakery operations but are also empowered to lead, grow, and give back to their community.
“Try Pie has operated for over a decade and has grown exponentially since! As we look toward what’s next, we hope for this fund to help support the longevity of our operation and ultimately support young women in the Cedar Valley for decades to come,” said Sarah Helleso, Co-Director of Try Pie.
The creation of the Try Pie Endowment Fund reflects a commitment to long-term impact. With the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s trusted stewardship and sound investment practices, this fund provides supporters with a meaningful way to invest in the future of the organization and the young women it serves.
Gifts to the Try Pie Endowment Fund can be made via check, cash, or stock. Checks should be made payable to the Try Pie Endowment Fund and mailed to the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.
Secure online donations can be made at: www.cfneia.org/donations/try-pie-endowment-fund
All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law, and donors will receive an acknowledgment of their gift from the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, an accredited local nonprofit organization.
To learn more about giving to the Try Pie Endowment Fund, contact the Community Foundation at 319-287-9106.
Join us for our August Women for Good Member Meeting
You'll hear from Mary Janssen, Regional Director of Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) of Northeast Iowa, Exceptional Persons, Inc.
CCR&R serves providers, families, and communities while striving to improve the quality of care for Iowa’s children. Mary will share insights on the current childcare landscape in our region, the challenges families face in accessing quality care, and how community support can make a difference for women, children, and families.
This topic connects deeply with Women for Good’s mission to improve the lives of women and girls in Black Hawk County by learning about pressing needs and supporting local solutions.
Lunch is provided to members who attend in person. Not sure if you're a member? Contact Sherita Jenkins at sjenkins@cfneia.org or 319-243-1356.
Please note: We're excited to host this gathering in a new, larger location to better accommodate our growing group!
At the heart of the Friends of Black Hawk County Conservation Fund is a simple but powerful idea: quality of life matters—and it starts with access to nature. This endowed fund, established through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, supports conservation work that enhances the outdoor spaces people cherish and depend on. Whether it’s creating opportunities for youth to connect with nature or preserving land for future generations, the fund is growing a legacy of environmental stewardship that supports the vitality of the region.
As the retired executive director of the Black Hawk County Conservation Board, Vern Fish is passionate about conserving and expanding Iowa’s outdoor spaces. But he’s even more devoted to ensuring that outdoor opportunities are available for young Iowans, believing that access to nature plays a key role in keeping youth connected to their communities. After the unexpected death of his daughter, Vern made a lead gift to establish the Friends of Black Hawk County Conservation Fund, transforming personal tragedy into a powerful investment in the future of the region.
“Quality of life is a big deal,” Vern says. “If we want to keep young people in Iowa or attract new residents, we need good jobs, strong communities, and places people want to live—including public lands for recreation.” With less than 2% of Iowa’s landscape in public space, maximizing and protecting what we have is essential.
Vern’s vision for the endowed fund is that it becomes a tool to help the Conservation Board leverage big projects—from land acquisition to trail expansions—by matching and attracting additional public and private funding.
“I want to see young people be exposed to the outdoors, have those opportunities, and for our community to grow and build on that,” Vern says. “And with the Community Foundation managing and promoting the fund, we know we’re building something that lasts.”
With long-term growth, the fund can help secure Iowa’s outdoor legacy—and play a vital role in attracting and retaining people by making communities more vibrant, livable, and connected to the natural world.
Join us for a powerful afternoon of giving back and connecting with local nonprofits at our Women for Good "Stop & Serve" Volunteer Event! This unique experience offers a chance to make a direct impact through simple, hands-on service — all while discovering meaningful causes in our community.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Check in time: 12:30 PM, Event time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Hawkeye Community College, Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St, Waterloo, IA 50701
Parking in front of building and use stairs or elevators to the 3rd floor MLK Community Hall (100)
What is the Stop & Serve?
At this “stop & serve” style event, you’ll move between stations hosted by local nonprofits, each offering an on-the-spot volunteer opportunity — from assembling kits to packing bags — while learning more about their missions and how you can stay involved. This is a great opportunity to get to know a variety of nonprofits serving women and girls all located in one location!
How You Can Help:
We’re asking attendees to bring a few items to donate that will support the organizations participating. A full list of suggested donation items will be shared prior to the event.
This is a great way to:
Space is limited so please RSVP early! We hope you’ll join us for this afternoon of service and connection!