Kossuth County Community Foundation Distributes $177,678.34 to Local Organizations

The Kossuth County Community Foundation (KCCF) held its 2025 grant awards celebration at the Algona First United Methodist Church on January 13, announcing the distribution of $177,678.34 to 26 projects of organizations serving Kossuth 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

All Call Theatre – Building Community Through Theater – $9,000
Iowa Chapter of National Society of Arts and Letters – Artists Competitions – $5,000
Kossuth County Historical Society – Historical Museum New Signage – $1,062
Stinson Prairie Arts Council – 515 Big Band Student Workshop & Performance – $1,500

Community Betterment

Algona Community Pickleball Association, Inc. – Pickleball Court Enhancements and Upkeep – $3,300
City of Algona – Veterans' Park Ball Field Improvements – $5,500
City of Bancroft – Library – Water Proofing the West Entrance – $6,500
City of Burt – Pickle Ball Court – $5,000
City of Swea City – Fire Dept – SCBA Update – $20,585
City of Titonka – Activity Center – Event Seating – $3,645
City of Wesley – Swimming Pool Updates – $13,075.34
City of Whittemore – Library – New Furnace & A/C – $6,500
Community & Culture Connections – Expanding Connections – $2,276
Kossuth County Cattlemen's Association – Pen of 3 Hoop Barn – $15,000
Swea City Improvement League – Building of Pickleball Court – $12,000

Education & Youth Development

Algona Family YMCA – Saturday Night Y – $4,114
Iowa College Access Network – Future Ready: Engaging Parents for Success – $1,000
Kossuth County C.A.R.E. Team – Loving Hands Nursery – $25,000

Environment & Animal Welfare

Kossuth County Tails of Hope Rescue – Rescue Roof Replacement – $9,295

Health

Active Senior Citizens of Algona, Inc. – Kitchen Floor Replacement – $5,000
Healthy Harvest of North Iowa – Blending Up a Healthier Kossuth County – $3,000

Human Service

Algona First United Methodist Church – SERVE Shelves – $2,000
Crisis Intervention Service – Hope & Healing Project – $1,626
Food Bank of Iowa – Offsetting USDA Food Assistance Loss in Kossuth County – $5,000
North Iowa Detachment #859 Marine Corp League – Toys-for-Tots Cargo Van Replacement – $4,500
Titonka Community Rest Home, Inc. – Air Conditioning Replacement – $6,500

“We are inspired by the dedication that these organizations bring to Kossuth County,” said Julie Murphy, Chair of the Kossuth County Community Foundation. “Each grant represents not just financial support, but an investment in building stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities across our county. We are grateful to our committee, donors, and community partners for helping make this possible.”

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Kossuth County. Committee members include Julie Murphy (chair), Caleb Anderson, Bradley Arndorfer, Cynthia Arndorfer, Mark Davis, Gina Helmers, Tiffany Johnson, Deborah Kenne, Brian Kollasch, Jeremiah Lockett, and Julie Murphy. KCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process are the Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company Charitable Fund, the Iowa State Bank of Algona Charitable Fund, the Charles and Helen Lickteig Family Fund and the Kossuth County Public Safety Endowment Fund.

Grants are awarded through KCCF’s competitive grant process. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Kossuth County 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.kossuthccf.org.

Photo courtesy of the Bancroft Register.

New Fund Established to Support Dementia Care in Kossuth County

Kossuth County Dementia Care, a local nonprofit, has established the Kossuth County Dementia Care Fund, a special project fund held with the Kossuth County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. The fund will support local efforts to support caregivers for people with dementia.

Kossuth County Dementia Care is dedicated to raising awareness of dementia and reducing isolation for those affected by the disease. Through caregiver support groups, educational opportunities, and community engagement, the organization works to ensure individuals living with dementia and their caregivers feel supported and understood.

“We hear it often from the caregivers we serve: ‘You never understand how difficult it is to live with and care for a person with dementia until you’ve experienced it,’” said Kris Schlievert, Director of Kossuth County Dementia Care. “Starting this fund allows us to strengthen and expand the support we can offer families in Kossuth County. If we can provide even a small measure of support, understanding, or connection for caregivers walking this journey, then this fund is doing exactly what it’s meant to do.”

Funds raised will help support caregiver support groups, educational programming, community awareness initiatives, and other resources that support caregivers for people with dementia.

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 Kossuth County Dementia Care Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at www.cfneia.org/donations/kossuth-dementia-care-fund/. Donors to the fund may 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 Kossuth County Community Foundation can be found at www.kossuthccf.org.

Kossuth County Dementia Care Fund

Titonka Community Life Fund

$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.

New Fund Established to Support Childcare Solutions in Kossuth County

The Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation, along with the Kossuth Childcare Coalition, has partnered to establish the Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund, a special project fund held with the Kossuth County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. The fund will support efforts to strengthen the availability and quality of childcare in Kossuth County.

Affordable, high-quality childcare is essential to a strong community infrastructure, just like housing and transportation. When childcare isn’t accessible, the impact ripples through families, employers, and the local economy. Recognizing this critical need, the Kossuth Childcare Coalition was formed through the collaborative efforts of the Algona Area Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), City of Algona, Algona Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation.

“Access to daycare is a priority issue that impacts our workforce and overall economic development in the community. Contributions to the Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund will help registered daycares of all sizes for the good of our working parents, local businesses and our region as a whole,” said Tod Faris, Executive Director of the Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation.

The fund will assist daycare providers with workforce recruitment and retention, facility enhancements, and quality improvements. Through this effort, the Kossuth Childcare Coalition aims to increase the number of available childcare spots and strengthen the long-term stability of providers across the county.

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 Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at www.cfneia.org/donations/kossuth-childcare-fund. 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 Kossuth County Community Foundation can be found at www.kossuthccf.org.

Alfred and Margaret Schadendorf Family Endowment Fund

Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund

Friends of the Kossuth County Fair Special Project Fund

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.