The Chickasaw County Community Foundation (CCCF) announced $109,350 in grant funding to 28 projects of organizations serving Chickasaw County as part of its 2020 grant cycle.

The grant decisions were determined prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on communities and nonprofits. Nonprofits receiving grants may choose to shift funding to general operating support in response to this public health and economic crisis. The Community Foundation will discuss decisions with nonprofits on a one-on-one basis.

“The Chickasaw County Community Foundation is proud to partner with these nonprofits who are making a difference in our local communities,” said Christy Pierce, chair of the CCCF governing committee. “While the Community Foundation is not able to hold its annual award celebration at this time due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, grant checks will be mailed and we look forward to seeing the impacts in Chickasaw County.”

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

Art and Culture

• Big Four Fair Association, New Multipurpose Building, $5,000
• Plum Creek Art Council, Energy Renovation and Flooring, $5,000

Community Betterment

• Amvets Auxiliary Post #90, Amvets Hall Exterior Remodel, $5,000
• Chickasaw Athletic Booster Club, Mikkelson Park Softball Press Box Renovation Project, $5,000
• City of Alta Vista, Roofing the Library, $5,000
• City of Ionia, Trail 2019, $6,500
• City of New Hampton, Little Light of Mine, $2,000
• City of New Hampton, Parks and Recreation - From Pool to Play a Few Feet Away, $5,000
• Lawler Lions Club Iowa, Lawler Lions Park Project, $5,000
• New Hampton Motorcycle Rally, Bandshell Dance Floor, $3,000

Education

• Nashua-Plainfield Community Schools, National History Day Contest, $1,500
• New Hampton Community School District, Art Department - Drawing Possibilities, $4,000
• New Hampton Community School District, High School - Safe Schools Equals Safe Community - Part 2, $5,100
• St. Joseph Community School, Pre-K - 8 - Learning on the Go, $5,000
• St. Joseph Community School, Sunrise Preschool - Outdoor Explorers, $3,000
• Sumner-Fredericksburg Community Schools, Elementary - Chromebooks for 21st Century Learners, $5,000

Health

• Chickasaw County, EMA - Stop the Bleed, $1,400

Historic Preservation

• Carnegie Cultural Center, Building a Technological Infrastructure, $3,100
• City of Nashua, Library - Digitization of Nashua Newspaper Microfilm 1867-2017, $2,500

Human Service

• Chickasaw Township Fire District, Flashlights for Firemen Protection, $2,250
• City of Alta Vista, Fire Department - Firefighter Protective Boots, $3,000
• City of New Hampton, Fire Department - Personal Protective Equipment, $5,500
• City of New Hampton, Police Department - Rapid Emergency Response Equipment, $2,000
• City of North Washington, Fire Department - Upgrade Water Tanker Truck, $8,000
• City of Protivin, Fire District - Hoods and Gloves, $3,000
• Fredericksburg Firefighter Association, Rechargeable Battery Packs and Charger, $3,500
• Freedom Strippers Quilts of Valor, Honoring our Veterans, $2,000
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, BackPack Program, $3,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Chickasaw County. Committee members include: Kathy Ball, Megan Baltes, Kim Berns, John Cuvelier, Tara Hackman, Pat Halvorson, Michelle Hoy, Emily Kleiss, Rich Miller, Kelly O'Donnell, Christy Pierce (chair), Bev Steege, Ryan Steege and Tori Ulrichs.

Grants are awarded through Chickasaw County Community Foundation’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of: art and culture, community betterment, education, environment, health, historic preservation and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Chickasaw County in order to be considered for funding. The 2021 grant cycle opens October 1, 2020 with an application deadline of December 31. The grant guidelines and application will be posted prior to the cycle opening at www.chickasawccf.org.