Butler County Community Foundation Distributes $146,557 to Local Organizations

The Butler County Community Foundation (BCCF) held its 2025 grant awards celebration at the Allison Public Library on January 8, announcing the distribution of $146,557 to 23 projects of organizations serving Butler County through its 2025 grant cycle.

Grant recipient organization, project the grant will fund, and grant amount is listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

Austinville Historical Society – Roof Replacement and Repairs Project - $10,000

Community Betterment

Allison Amvet Hall Post 88 – Parking Lot and Bathroom Update - $5,000
Butler County Fair – East Sidewalk - $9,777.60
City of Aplington – Fire Department, Equipment - $7,920
City of Aplington – Library, West Window Replacement - $1,000
City of Aredale – Fire Department, New Radios - $9,714.48
City of Bristow – New Fire Station - $10,000
City of Dumont – Fire Department, Portable Collapsing Tanks - $5,000
City of Greene – Fire Department, PPE SCBA - $10,035
City of Shell Rock – Riverside Cemetery Association, Ave of Flags Shed - $10,000
North Iowa Detachment #859 Marine Corp League – Toys for Tots Cargo Van Replacement - $5,000
Revitalize Dumont – School Building Redevelopment Phase 1 - $10,000

Education & Youth Development

Butler County ISU Extension – Educational Wellness for Youth and Adults - $4,951.83
City of Allison – Library, Summer Reading Collaboration - $5,300
City of Clarksville – City Hall and Library Computer Upgrades - $1,500
City of Parkersburg – Kothe Memorial Library, Tables and Storage - $10,544.64
Dike New Hartford Community School District – Library Lab - $2,313.84

Health

EMS MD Collaborative of the Cedar Valley Inc – EMS Protocol App for EMS MDs and Hospitals - $3,000
Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging Inc – NEI3A Butler County Senior Meals Programs - $5,000

Human Service
Clarksville Food Pantry Inc – Renovating for Energy Efficiency - $10,000
Fostering Families Together – Family Events Christmas Party - $2,500
Northeast Iowa Food Bank – Feeding Communities - $5,000
The Larrabee Center Inc – Community Support Services - $3,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Butler County. Committee members include Mary Derdzinski, Wayne Dralle, Patricia Hummel, Megan Kalkwarf, Greg Nevenhoven, Greg Schmitz (chair), Marcie Sharp, Nicole Vannordstrand, Noreen Wiegmann, Shelly Zimmerman. BCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Lawrence and Helen Kiehn Memorial Fund and Ehmen Hersey Family Fund. The Butler County Impact Now Fund allows generous people to contribute to the current year’s grant cycle, with all donated dollars being added to the discretionary grant amount. Donors to this fund in 2025 who contributed over $250 are Keith Christensen & Dawn Deines-Christensen.

Grants are awarded through BCCF’s competitive grant process. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Butler County in order to be considered for funding. The 2026 grant cycle opens September 1 with an application deadline of October 15. The grant guidelines and application can be found at www.butlerccf.org.

$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.

Butler County Community Foundation Grant Writing Workshop

Are you a nonprofit or government entity in Butler County seeking grant funding?

Join the Butler County Community Foundation for a FREE grant workshop.

At this workshop, you'll learn about the Foundation's grant guidelines, application, and budget template. Presenters will also provide general grant writing tips and answer grantseeker questions you may have!

Butler County Community Foundation Distributes $146,557 to Local Organizations

$395,000 Granted at our Celebration of Community

Our Strategic Plan: Making More Possible Across Our Region

Butler County Community Foundation Grant Writing Workshop

Butler and Grundy Counties Child Care Solutions Fund

Butler County Conservation Fund

Butler County Impact Now Fund

Ehmen Hersey Family Fund

New Hartford Child Care Fund

Lawrence and Helen Kiehn Memorial Fund