The Buchanan County Community Foundation (BCCF) held its grant awards celebration at the Jesup Auditorium on July 30, announcing the distribution of $155,576.34 to 19 organizations serving Buchanan County through its 2026 grant cycle.
The 2026 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by impact priority.
Health & Safety
- City of Independence – Police Department - Bullet Proof Vests – $5,162.50
- Independence Area Food Pantry – Expanding Food Access with Cold Storage – $5,000.00
- Iowa Heart Foundation – AED Rescue Ready: Buchanan County – $1,662.75
- Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity – Critical Home Repairs – $7,500.00
- Lamont Fire Department Foundation – CPR/Trauma Manikin – $1,600.00
- Operation Threshold, Inc. – Crisis Assistance & Holiday Programming – $15,000.00
- Riverview Center, Inc. – Supporting Trauma Survivors and Helping Them Heal – $4,290.00
Opportunity & Access
- Every Child Plays at Wapsie Valley – Every Child Plays – $10,000.00
Youth Empowerment
- Foster SQUAD – Operation Santa Iowa 2026 – $1,000.00
- Independence Lions Club – KidSight Camera – $1,200.00
- Jesup Community School District – HS Art - Ceramics Class – $10,962.09
- Rotary Club of Independence – Independence Rotary Club's Literacy Program – $4,000.00
- Wapsie Valley Athletic Booster Club – Track & Field Equipment for New Athletic Complex – $15,000.00
Vibrant Community
- City of Fairbank – Fairbank Little League - Batting Cage – $19,000.00
- City of Independence – Parks & Rec - Teachers' Park Pickleball Court – $10,000.00
- City of Jesup – Library of Things - 3D Printer – $1,499.00
- Hazleton Township – Cemetery Ground Survey & Repair – $7,700.00
- LACES – Light the Dam in Independence – $15,000.00
- Quasky Little League – Handicap Accessible Bathroom Update – $20,000.00
Grants were recommended by the Buchanan County Community Foundation’s governing committee, composed of volunteers committed to improving the well-being of Buchanan County residents. The 2026 governing committee includes: Whitney Benter, Nate Clayberg, Mary Donlea, James Gilliespie, Rob Ratchford, Valerie Stanford, and Melissa Trumbauer. BCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Edna Mae and Don Adams Community Impact 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 2027 BCCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2027, with a deadline of April 15, 2027. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.buchananccf.org.
