New Fund Established to support Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange has established the Seed Savers Exchange Endowment Fund with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. This fund supports the long-term sustainability of Seed Savers Exchange and its mission to preserve and share heirloom seeds and their stories for generations to come.

For 50 years, Seed Savers Exchange has preserved biodiversity through community-centered conservation. The organization regenerates garden varieties that have been lost, strengthens what still grows, and equips the next generation of seed stewards with the tools they need to carry this vital work forward.

Today, the need for this work is more urgent than ever. In many parts of agriculture, production depends on a limited number of crop varieties, which can leave the food supply vulnerable to climate disruptions, emerging diseases, and pests. Meanwhile, countless diverse and resilient heirloom varieties are quietly disappearing. Once these genetic resources and their cultural connections are lost, they cannot be recovered.

This work also depends on the continued care and involvement of those who steward these seeds. For generations, gardeners and farmers have passed down varieties, along with the knowledge of how to grow, save, and share them. Securing this legacy requires sustained support – so that future hands can carry forward the stories, flavors, and cultural connections embedded in every seed.

“This endowment is our promise to generations to come,” said executive director Mike Bollinger.  “It ensures that the seeds, stories, and stewardship we’ve cultivated for 50 years will continue to thrive in a changing world. With every gift, we’re building a lasting foundation to protect biodiversity, grow community resilience, and keep heirloom seeds in the hands of the people.”

Seed Savers Exchange chose to partner with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation to give Iowa supporters an added incentive to invest in the future of seed preservation. Through this partnership, eligible donors can take advantage of the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, making their gifts go even further while helping build a permanent source of support for the organization’s mission.

Gifts to the Seed Savers Exchange Endowment Fund can be made via check, cash, or stock. Checks should be made payable to the Seed Savers Exchange 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/seedsavers

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 Seed Savers Exchange Endowment Fund, contact the Community Foundation at 319-287-9106.

Photo courtesy of Shawn Linehan.

Seed Savers Exchange Endowment Fund

From Crisis to Community Impact: The story behind the Locke EMS Fund

The Dr. Kevin Locke EMS Provider Endowment Fund has been established with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation to support the long-term needs of WinnMed EMS and emergency response services in Winneshiek County. The fund was created by Cy and Mona Nelson after experiencing firsthand the life-saving response provided by Dr. Kevin Locke and the WinnMed EMS team.

On what seemed like a normal day, Cy collapsed without warning while working outdoors. Fortunately, Dr. Kevin Locke, a longtime physician and current hospice provider with WinnMed, was present and immediately began hands-only CPR, buying precious time until first responders arrived. The speed, training, and coordination of the on- and off-duty EMS staff ultimately saved Cy’s life.

“It still brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it,” said Cy. “The quality of life I have because of Dr. Locke and the team's response—it’s something I’ll never forget. We really are fortunate to be in Decorah.”

The fund was established both in gratitude and with the hope of giving back. “We know there’s never enough in a working budget,” said Mona. “Our gift will help fill the gap and let the experts decide what’s most needed.”

Dr. Kevin Locke has served the Winneshiek County community for over 30 years, including as the county’s Medical Examiner and a key member of a federal disaster medical response team. In addition to decades as a Mayo-affiliated physician at WinnMed, Dr. Locke remains active in emergency medicine and response.

The endowment will support initiatives like advanced equipment, training, and service enhancements that aren’t always covered in annual budgets. Gifts to the fund are also a way to invest in the sustainability and excellence of the region’s emergency medical response.

Financial gifts of cash/check and stock are accepted through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613, which is the administrative office of the Winneshiek County Community Foundation. Checks to the endowment fund should be made payable to the Dr. Kevin Locke EMS Provider Endowment Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at www.cfneia.org/lockeems. Gifts to the endowment fund are eligible to receive a 25% state tax credit through the Endow Iowa program. Learn more about the program at www.cfneia.org/endowiowa.

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.

More information about the Winneshiek County Community Foundation can be found at www.winneshiekccf.org. 

Winneshiek County Community Foundation Distributes $160,519 to Local Nonprofit Organizations

The Winneshiek County Community Foundation (WCCF) held its 2025 grant awards celebration at Luther College on March 27, announcing the distribution of $160,519.01 to 19 projects of organi-zations serving Winneshiek County through its 2025 grant cycle.

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

Program Area: Arts & Culture

Program Area: Community Betterment

Program Area: Education & Youth Development

Program Area: Health

Program Area: Human Service

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Winneshiek County. Committee members include Lilly Jensen (Chair), Jean Boyer, Charles Crain, Tracy Dostal, Terry Haindfield, Chelsey Kephart, Terry Linderbaum, Keith Newhouse, Mae Schmitt, and Warren Shuros. WCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Dick Guilgot and Barb Sokol Fund, the Elwin and Helen Farwell Memorial Fund, and an Anonymous Winneshiek County Endowment Fund.

Grants are awarded through WCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and an-imal welfare, health and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organiza-tion or government entity serving WinneshiekCounty in order to be considered for funding. The 2026 grant cycle opens November15 with an application deadline of January 15. The grant guide-lines and application can be found at www.winneshiekccf.org.

Robert M. and Irene McQueen Endowment Fund

Roman Kovarik Memorial Scholarship Fund

Naomi Craft Family Endowment Fund

Dr. Kevin Locke EMS (Emergency Medical Service) Provider Endowment Fund

Lewis Lechtenberg Family Foundation Fund

New Funds Established to support Decorah Parks and Recreation Department

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Decorah have established 2 new funds with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities in Decorah. These funds, the Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Project Fund and the Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund, will support critical improvements to the city’s recreational infrastructure.

The Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Project Fund has been created to support the construction of new recreational facilities in Decorah. This ambitious project, spearheaded by the City of Decorah and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department, will expand opportunities for sports, recreation, and events. Planned implementation of phase 1 includes the construction of two 280-foot ball fields with batting tunnels and dugouts, four pickleball courts, a 100-stall parking lot with a convenient drop-off area, an extended mowed trail system, native plantings and a stormwater detention basin, and a plaza with a portable restroom enclosure. Planned implementation of phase 2 plans to bring additional amenities, including two more ball fields, four more pickleball courts, and enhanced infrastructure to support an even broader range of programs and events. The project site is located along Old Stage Road adjacent to the Decorah Dog Park and Freeport Trail, designed to serve the community for generations to come.

“We are thrilled to establish this fund and bring these much-needed recreational facilities to Decorah,” said Marc Holtey, director of Decorah Parks and Recreation Department. “This project represents our commitment to providing modern, accessible spaces for all to enjoy.”

The Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund was created to replace the existing basketball hoops in Decorah’s Wayside Park. This initiative seeks to improve playability and accessibility for individuals of all ages in one of Decorah’s most popular recreational areas. Driven by Decorah Parks and Recreation, the project aims to foster a more inclusive and engaging space for the community. The upgraded hoops will enhance opportunities for basketball enthusiasts while strengthening community connections. Wayside Park is a vital hub for recreation in Decorah, and this project ensures the park remains a vibrant gathering place that promotes physical wellness and community engagement.

“The new basketball hoops at Wayside Park will create an improved experience for players of all ages,” said Holtey. “This upgrade reflects our dedication to maintaining high-quality recreational spaces for our community.”

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 funds should be made payable to the Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Fund or the Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at cfneia.org/donations/ball-fields-and-pickleball or cfneia.org/donations/waysidepark. 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 Winneshiek County Community Foundation can be found at www.winneshiekccf.org.