The Bremer County Community Foundation (BCCF) held its grant awards celebration at the Waverly Area Veteran's Post on July 10, announcing the distribution of $214,635.32 to 30 projects of organizations serving Bremer County through its 2025 grant cycle.

The 2025 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

• Bremer County Fair Association – Doors for Livestock and Show Arena – $5,000.00
• City of Waverly – Chamber - Shades of Rhythm Amphitheater Staining – $3,600.00
• Wartburg Community Symphony Association – Family Holiday Concert: The Christmas Carol – $4,250.00
• Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District – Elementary - Go-Hawk Pride Sculptures – $5,000.00

Community Betterment

• City of Frederika – Fire Department - Quick Attack Truck – $10,000.00
• City of Plainfield – Fire Department - Turnout Gear – $10,000.00
• City of Readlyn – Library - SmartBoard Replacement – $3,000.00
• City of Sumner – Parks & Rec - Sumner Trail Enhancement – $10,000.00
• City of Tripoli – Fire Department - SCBA Compressor – $10,000.00
• City of Tripoli – Pool Board - Slide Replacement – $10,000.00
• City of Waverly – Public Parks - Basketball Ball Hoops Upgrade – $3,450.00
• Readlyn Volunteer Firefighters Association – Fire Department - Bunker Gear – $10,000.00
• Thomas E Wood Post 223 American Legion – Increasing Accessibility for Legion Facilities – $7,763.57
• Waverly Volunteer Fire Association – Radio Equipment Upgrades – $9,000.00

Education & Youth Development

• All in Mentoring – General Operating Support – $5,000.00
• Leader Valley Foundation – Leader in Me Bremer County – $5,000.00
• Sumner Daycare and Learning Center, Inc. – Enhancing Outdoor Learning and Comfort – $10,000.00
• Waverly Child Care and Preschool – Playground – $10,000.00

Health

• Senior Citizens Group of Waverly Inc. – Building Remodel - Lower Level – $10,000.00
• Support SEMS – SEMS - Rapid Stabilization – $8,751.75

Human Service

• Families Helping Families of Iowa – Support for Bremer County Children in Foster Care – $5,000.00
• Fostering Families Together – Back to School Picnic – $3,500.00
• Friends of the Family – Ending Homelessness in Bremer County – $5,000.00
• Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity – Critical Home Repairs – $9,000.00
• North Star Community Services, Inc. – Ensuring Community Access – $3,500.00
• Northeast Iowa Community Action – NEICAC 2025 Crisis Assistance Program – $10,000.00
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank – Feeding Communities – $10,000.00
• Riverview Center, Inc. – Supporting Trauma Survivors and Helping Them Heal – $3,820.00
• The Larrabee Center Inc. – Employment Support Services – $10,000.00
• Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way – Bremer County Crisis Housing Assistance – $5,000.00

Grants were recommended by the Bremer County Community Foundation’s governing committee, composed of volunteers committed to improving the well-being of Bremer County residents. The 2025 governing committee includes: Morgan Bergmann, Lisa Biersner, Brian Bunce, Gloria Campbell, Beth Hartman, Jane Juchems, Karen Neuendorf, Lauri Phelan, Stacie Schroeder, and David SmolikHagen.

BCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Bremer County Community Foundation Governing Committee Endowment, Gene Drape Family Fund, Frederika Area Community Impact Fund, Waverly Community Impact Fund, Corson Family Charitable Unrestricted Fund, Shellrock Products Fund, and Gaylor Family Fund.

BCCF 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 BCCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2026, with a deadline of April 15, 2026. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.bremerccf.org.