The Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation (CGCCF) held its 2023 grant awards celebration at Mason City High School’s FEMA Room on October 11, announcing the distribution of $144,469.35 to 14 organizations serving Cerro Gordo County through its 2023 grant cycle.

“The Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation is honored to be able to support these organizations making an impact in the communities in our county,” said John Drury, chair of the CGCCF impact committee. “The grant awards are a celebration of the work of these great organizations and the efforts of all those working to make Cerro Gordo County stronger, more vibrant place for everyone.”

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

Arts & Culture

• Clear Lake Public Library Foundation, Library Digital History Preservation, $8,150 
• North Iowa Children's Museum, Creative Cargo, $16,400

Community Betterment

• Cerro Gordo County Conservation, Strand Park Multi-Sport Court, $10,000
• City of Clear Lake, Community Pickleball/Tennis/Basketball Complex, $7,100 
• City of Mason City, Parks Department - Monroe Park Basketball Court, $5,179.94 
• City of Swaledale Fire Department, Pager Replacement, $6,379 
• Rockwell Community Fire Service, Wild Land Fire Skid Unit Replacement, $9,495
• Ventura Firefighters Association, Search and Rescue Boat Upgrade, $8,424 
• VFW Post 733 San Juan-Marne, Roof Replacement, $10,000

Education & Youth Development

• West Fork Community School District, Elementary Playground, $10,000

Health

• Mason City Senior Activity Center, Automatic Door Openers, $5,493.41 
• One Vision, Empowering Individuals with Disabilities Through Technology-Enabled Living, $28,396
• Rockwell-Swaledale Emergency Medical Team, Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator, $13,000

Human Service

• Caring Pregnancy Center, Mcluer Memorial Fire Safety and Education, $6,452

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Cerro Gordo County. Committee members for this grant cycle include: Julie Ahntholz Kaduce, Molly Anderegg, Jen Arends, Tim Coffey, John Drury (chair), Bridgette Exman, Alan Steckman, and Margo Underwood. 

Also recognized at the grant awards celebration were outgoing committee member Jen Arends for her commitment to Cerro Gordo County, along with new incoming committee members Dennis Lee, Lori Brandt and Les Batton.

Grants are awarded through CGCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Cerro Gordo County in order to be considered for funding.