$395,000 Granted at our Celebration of Community

Over 200 people attended the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s (CFNEIA) Celebration of Community event on Friday, November 7, at the Diamond Event Center in Cedar Falls. At the event, CFNEIA awarded $395,000 in mission fulfillment grants to four nonprofit organizations. These grants align with the organization’s impact priority areas of opportunity and access, health and safety, vibrant communities and youth empowerment.

Click here to see the photos from the event.

“These grants reflect the incredible work happening across our communities and the generosity that makes it possible,” said Kaye Englin, president and CEO of CFNEIA. “Each organization we’re supporting this year is creating lasting change that aligns with our mission to inspire people and connect resources to enrich our communities.”

Opportunity & Access – Iowa Legal Aid

For nearly 50 years, Iowa Legal Aid has strengthened families by providing vital legal support to Iowans facing housing issues, domestic violence, and income-related legal challenges. To expand its reach, the organization has launched a $17.5 million campaign to increase services and establish five endowed attorney positions that will serve Iowans for generations to come.

CFNEIA has opened the Iowa Legal Aid Endowment Fund with an initial $50,000 investment, joined by a $25,000 contribution from Marv and Helen Schumacher. Additionally, a $15,000 grant from CFNEIA’s Racial Equity Fund will support an upcoming Black Hawk County Expungement Clinic, helping 35 individuals take their next steps toward stability. In total, CFNEIA’s support represents a $90,000 impact.

Health & Safety – UnityPoint Health, Allen Child Protection Center

UnityPoint Health’s Allen Child Protection Center serves children and families across 27 counties in Northeast Iowa—14 of which are within CFNEIA’s region—providing forensic interviews, medical evaluations and mental health services for children experiencing trauma. To meet growing demand, the Center launched a $1.5 million campaign to renovate a new facility and expand capacity.

CFNEIA awarded a $50,000 grant to help ensure every child receives the care and protection they deserve.

Vibrant Communities – Bremer County Fair Capital Campaign

Now in its 150th year, the Bremer County Fair has embarked on a transformational $10 million capital campaign to establish a new 50-acre fairground east of Waverly. The new site will serve as a regional hub for education, entertainment, and community connection, fostering economic growth and year-round engagement.

CFNEIA awarded a $50,000 Mission Fulfillment Grant to the project, joined by a $25,000 gift from CUSB Bank of Waverly, for a combined $75,000 investment supporting the fair’s new 4-H Community Building.

Youth Empowerment – Family YMCA of Black Hawk County

For more than 157 years, the Family YMCA of Black Hawk County has been a cornerstone for families in the Cedar Valley. Its $2 million capital campaign expanded the Waterloo facility and relocated its Early Learning Center, which now serves 74 children with high-quality care from infancy through school age.

CFNEIA’s $180,000 grant—made possible through the generosity of the Gary, Becky, Eric, and Elizabeth Bertch Family Fund—supports the YMCA’s mission to provide equitable access to early childhood education and strengthen working families.

“We are deeply grateful to the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and the Bertch family for this incredible investment in our mission,” said Norm Johnson, chief executive officer of the Family YMCA of Black Hawk County. “This support allows us to provide more children with access to high-quality early learning and care, giving working families the stability they need and helping every child in our community reach their full potential.”

Since 1956, CFNEIA has granted $150 million to organizations across its 20-county region and holds assets totaling over $186 million. To learn more about the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and its impact, go to www.cfneia.org.

Our Strategic Plan: Making More Possible Across Our Region

At the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), we believe stronger communities are built when everyone has access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive. Our new strategic plan clarifies how we focus our work to maximize impact and ensure lasting positive change across the region. Guided by the principle of “make more possible,” this plan aligns our efforts with the needs of our communities, our donors, our partners, and our volunteers.

Our Impact Priorities

Opportunity and Access: Creating communities where everyone can reach their potential. This includes advancing economic mobility, removing barriers for marginalized communities, and supporting initiatives that foster inclusive, welcoming environments.
Health and Safety: Ensuring neighbors have the resources and support to live secure, stable, and healthy lives. Our focus areas include basic needs, emergency response, and health programs that expand access to mental and physical well-being.
Vibrant Communities: Building places where people want to live, work, and play. Investments support arts and culture, public space improvements, recreational opportunities, and economic development that strengthens neighborhoods.
Youth Empowerment: Nurturing the potential of young people to grow, lead, and create lasting change. This includes scholarships, mentorship and skill-building programs, quality education initiatives, and access to sustainable childcare.

View full details of our impact priorities here.

Full Strategic Plan

For a detailed view of our strategies, goals, and action steps for each priority, you can view or download the complete CFNEIA Strategic Plan here.

Why This Matters

By partnering with nonprofits, volunteers, donors, and community leaders, CFNEIA ensures that every initiative is informed by local needs and designed for lasting impact. Together, we are making more possible—opening doors, building resilience, and creating stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities throughout our 20-county region in Iowa.

Orville L. and Harriett Schmitz Scholarship Fund

Buchanan County Community Foundation Awards $158,553.51 in 2025 Grants to 16 Organizations

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.

$395,000 Granted at our Celebration of Community

Our Strategic Plan: Making More Possible Across Our Region

Orville L. and Harriett Schmitz Scholarship Fund

Buchanan County Community Foundation Awards $158,553.51 in 2025 Grants to 16 Organizations

Buchanan County Impact Now Fund

Lloyd Louis Bergfeld Scholarship Fund

Fairbank Community Alliance Fund

The Steve Brown Art Center Fund

Independence Area Food Pantry Endowment Fund - Quasi

Ellen Gaffney Scholarship Fund