$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.

“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.

New Fund Established to Support the Amana Fire Station Expansion

The Amana Firefighter’s Association has partnered with the Iowa County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, to establish the Middle Amana Fire Station Expansion Fund. This special project fund will support the expansion of the Middle Amana Fire Station to better serve the community and surrounding areas.

The Amana Fire Department, also known as Amana Fire & Rescue and the Amana Benefited Fire District, is a 100% volunteer department. It primarily serves Lenox Township and portions of three other townships, while also providing mutual aid to all fire departments in Iowa County, as well as departments in Benton, Linn, and Johnson Counties.

“With growth in our area and the purchase of additional equipment, we’ve simply run out of space,” said Steven Rose, Vice President of the Amana Firefighter’s Association. “Right now, we have seven vehicles squeezed behind four doors. Our aerial has only four inches in front and behind, and just three inches from the ladder to the garage door. To respond to some emergencies, we even have to move one vehicle just to get another one out. An expansion is critical to ensure we can continue providing timely, life-saving services.”

The expansion project will create additional space for vehicles and equipment, improving response times and safety for both volunteers and the communities they serve.

Financial gifts of cash/check and stock are accepted through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613. Checks to the fund should be made payable to the Middle Amana Fire Station Expansion Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at cfneia.org/donations/middleamanafirestation. Donors to the fund can take advantage of normal federal deductions for charitable gifts.

Questions about giving to the fund may be directed to Terry Gaumer, charitable advisor with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, at 319-243-1354 or tgaumer@cfneia.org.

Information about the Iowa County Community Foundation can be found at www.iowaccf.org.

Middle Amana Fire Station Expansion Fund

Iowa County Community Foundation Distributes $144,621 to Local Organizations

The Iowa County Community Foundation (ICCF) held its 2025 grant awards celebration on Thursday, July 24, at Parnell City Hall, announcing the distribution of $144,621.25 to 17 local nonprofit organizations through its 2025 grant cycle. Grants were awarded to projects improving quality of life and creating long-term impact in Iowa County communities.

Grants were presented by program area. A full list of funded projects is below:

Program Area: Arts & Culture

Amana Heritage Society – Homestead Church Museum Interior Preservation – $12,000.00
English Valleys History Center – Technology Upgrade for Community and Organizations – $4,382.91
Iowa County Historical Society – Restroom Addition with Handicap Accessibility – $5,000.00

Program Area: Community Betterment

American Legion Post 76 – Parking Lot Expansion – $4,971.00
City of Millersburg – Concession Stand and Ball Field Updates – $11,500.00
City of Parnell – City Hall - Acoustical Tiles – $7,089.24
Pickleball Iowa County – Outdoor Pickleball Courts – $5,000.00

Program Area: Education & Youth Development

Parents and Leaders for Students – Playground Shade Structure – $12,620.10
Williamsburg Community Child Care – W4C’s Continual Quality Improvement – $3,213.00

Program Area: Environment & Animal Welfare

City of North English – Smoky Row Trail Updates - Phase 2 – $12,101.00
City of Williamsburg – Williamsburg Trail Project - Phase 2 – $20,000.00
Gateway Improvement Group – Gateway Park Dock Repair – $5,200.00
Marengo Trails Foundation – Trail Expansion – $20,000.00
Safe Haven of Iowa County – Iowa County Pound A/C & Drainage – $5,000.00

Program Area: Health

City of North English – First Responders - Outdoor AEDs – $6,544.00
Iowa Dental Foundation – Iowa Mission of Mercy - Free Dental Clinic – $5,000.00

Program Area: Human Service

Families Helping Families of Iowa – Program Support – $5,000.00

Grants were recommended by the Iowa County Community Foundation’s governing committee, composed of volunteers committed to improving the well-being of Iowa County residents. The 2025 governing committee includes: Paulette Dietrich, Erin Eichhorn, Trenton Forrest, Ellie Garringer, Justin Gingerich, Rhonda Glandorf, Natasha Hauschilt, Ann Krakow, and Bonnie Romine.

Special recognition was given to Natasha Hauschilt and Bonnie Romine for their service as they transition off the committee, and new members were also welcomed at the celebration. ICCF 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 ICCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2026, with a deadline of April 15, 2026. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.iowaccf.org.

Iowa County Impact Now Fund

George Wine Scholarship Fund

Amana Heritage Society Endowment Fund

Friends of Marengo Public Library Foundation Endowment Fund