Decorah Pavillion Plaza Community Project Fund
The Winneshiek County Community Foundation (WCCF) held its 2026 grant awards celebration at Luther College on March 26, announcing the distribution of $156,816.54 to 17 projects of organizations serving Winneshiek County through its 2026 grant cycle.
Grant recipient, organization, project the grant will fund, and grant amount is listed below by funding area.
Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Winneshiek County. Committee members include Jean Boyer, Charles Crain (chair), Tracy Dostal, Terry Haindfield, Chelsey Kephart, Terry Linderbaum, Mary Meyer, Christopher Miculinich, Keith Newhouse, Mae Schmitt, Warren Shuros, and Samantha Spilde. 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. The Winneshiek 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 who contributed over $250 include Karen Esterl.
Grants are awarded through WCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the impact priorities of health & safety, opportunity & access, vibrant communities, and youth empowerment. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Winneshiek County in order to be considered for funding. The 2026 grant cycle opens November 15 with an application deadline of January 15. The grant guidelines and application can be found at www.winneshiekccf.org.
The Senior Citizens Hospitality Center Endowment Fund has been established with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. This permanent endowment fund is invested and grows over time, providing a long-term, stable source of income to support the ongoing operations, programming, and facility needs of the Senior Citizens Hospitality Center.
Established in 1969, the Senior Citizens Hospitality Center provides a welcoming place of connection for adults age 55 and older and the broader community. The Center’s building, purchased in 1977, serves as a hub for social, recreational, educational, and other activities that enrich the lives of members and promote healthy aging. Through a variety of programs and gatherings, members build friendships, stay active, and remain connected to the community.
The Senior Citizens Hospitality Center does not receive county or city funding and relies on minimal annual dues of $10 per member, along with community support, to help cover ongoing operating expenses. The establishment of this endowment fund creates a long-term source of annual, recurring income to help sustain the Center’s mission. The fund also provides an opportunity for donors to make gifts and bequests that can be invested and grown over time for the long-term benefit of the Center, while generating increasing support for day-to-day operational needs.
Endowment support helps strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Center and ensures older adults in the community continue to have opportunities to stay connected, active, and supported.
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 Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. Checks to the endowment fund should be made payable to the Senior Citizens Hospitality Center Endowment Fund. Gifts can also be made on the Community Foundation’s secure website at www.cfneia.org/donations/seniorcitizenshospitalitycenter.
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.
More information about the Senior Citizens Hospitality Center can be found at www.scdecorah.com. Information about the Winneshiek County Community Foundation can be found at www.WinneshiekCCF.org.
The Winneshiek County Community Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Roman Kovarik Memorial Scholarship Fund, created in memory of Roman Kovarik, a hardworking and deeply admired Spillville native and 2001 graduate of South Winneshiek High School.
Your gift to the Roman Kovarik Memorial Scholarship Fund with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation allows South Winn Dollars for Scholars to award financial assistance to graduating seniors of the South Winneshiek Community School District pursuing higher education. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated financial need, are interested in technical education such as mechanics, electrical, HVAC, or agriculture, and have participated in volunteer activities or been employed while in high school.
Roman grew up on a farm outside of Spillville as the oldest of three children. He carried with him the values of dedication, responsibility, and perseverance instilled by his parents, Ron and Nancy (Nienhaus) Kovarik. After graduating from South Winneshiek, Roman attended Northeast Iowa Community College, where he completed the Diesel Mechanic Program while working at Franzen Sales and Service. Driven by a dream to further his skills, he later attended MTII in Orlando, Florida, becoming a Certified Harley-Davidson Mechanic. He went on to work at Gator Harley in Leesburg, Florida, where he formed lasting friendships with coworkers and customers who admired his character and work ethic.
Tragically, Roman passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006, in a motorcycle accident in Dahlonega, Georgia. Though his life ended far too soon, he leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, determination, and kindness that continues to inspire those who knew him.
The scholarship was established by Roman’s aunt and uncle, Sue and Darron, along with his mother Nancy, brother Wayne, and sister Maria. Through this fund, the family hopes to honor Roman’s spirit by helping students pursue their own dreams and create meaningful connections throughout their journeys.
“Creating this scholarship was important to us because Roman believed in working hard, chasing dreams, and helping others along the way,” said Sue Sander. “We hope this scholarship gives students the same opportunity to grow, explore, and achieve their goals.”
The family chose the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa as a partner to ensure that Roman’s legacy is thoughtfully managed and continues to make an impact for future generations.
How to Support the Fund
The Roman Kovarik Memorial Scholarship Fund accepts financial gifts of cash, checks, or stock through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, located at 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Checks should be made payable to the “Roman Kovarik Memorial Scholarship Fund.” Contributions can also be made online through the Community Foundation’s secure website at www.cfneia.org/donations/kovarikscholarship/
Donors to the fund are eligible to receive a 25% state tax credit through Iowa’s Endow Iowa program. For more information about this program, visit www.cfneia.org/donors/endow-iowa-tax-credit/.
Questions?
For inquiries about contributing to the fund, please contact Terry Gaumer, Charitable Advisor with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, at 319-243-1354 or tgaumer@cfneia.org.
For more details about the Winneshiek County Community Foundation and its work, visit www.cfneia.org/affiliate/winneshiek.
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.
Are you a nonprofit or government entity in Winneshiek County seeking grant funding?
Join the Winneshiek 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!
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